Death And Cold Case

Death Scene Analysis and Cold Case Investigation

This course will be modified to the level of expertise in the audience and can be adapted in the classroom for multiple levels of experience and understanding.

Training Goals and Objectives

The goal of the training program is to prepare the Investigator and Investigative Supervisor to conduct and manage a Major Case Investigation from initial response through needed follow-up.

The course will be directed at a multi agency approach to a major investigation, specifically homicide/death investigations. Several areas will be addressed; each area by it self is an area of expertise requiring detailed individual course instruction.

In addition, the course will include an intense overview of criminal behavior and the understanding of behavior as it relates to the traditional forms of evidence, i.e., forensic, circumstantial, eyewitness and confession.

Training Audience, Format and Content

This course is intended for various experience investigators, evidence technicians, supervisors, and prosecution attorneys. It also has great value to the patrol officer and new recruit. The intent of the trainers is to bridge the learning gap obtained throughout a law enforcement career in the area of evaluating crime scenes and help the less experienced officer/investigator to avoid many of the mistakes and pitfalls experience by veteran officers as they progressed in their individual careers.

This course is most successful when taught and received with audiences of 50 officers or fewer, but has been given in groups of 400 or more with successful reviews. The smaller groups enable officers to have more direct dialog with the instructors and the other students.

The course is designed in 2-day format (advanced training 3-day) session with day three involving case reviews and consultation of local cases so that the investigator / officer returns from the training with a more concrete understanding of the application of the training material. The course is generally designed to run from 0830 to 1630 hours daily, but can be manipulated for evenings and extended days as needed.

Daily content and course schedule/agenda:

Day One:

Types of Major Case Investigations - Common Errors

Multi-jurisdictional / Multi-Disciplinary Approach to Major Crime Investigations

The Formal Steps of the Investigation

The Duties of the Lead Investigator

Medico legal Death Investigations Guidelines and Handouts

Case Study: Robert Ben Rhoades Serial Killer

Crime Scene, Evidence Collection and Processing

The Investigative Approach

Organizational Skills in Utilizing Other Assets

Handling Reports

Investigative Tools and Equipment

Day Two:

Arriving and the Scene

Documenting and Evaluating the Scene and Body

Decedent Profile Information

Completing the Scene Investigation

Criminal Investigative Analysis

Current Investigative Challenges and Expanding Traditions in Law Enforcement

Forms of Evidence

Case Study: Lafferty Brothers Homicide Review

Behavior and Interpersonal Communication

Advanced Course:

Day Three:

Active (Homicide / Rape / Cold Case) Review - Practical Application

There are no pre – requisites to this course. Students are requested to bring active / cold case investigations involving homicide / rape / questionable death as they will apply learned profiling filters, directly to their case during Case Review. This will enable them to leave the course with knowledge and an actual working product.

Evaluation

The evaluation process will consist of class participation and active involvement in open case review.

Limitations / Special Needs: None

Any audio/visual or POSTC/Academy facility or staff needs will be addressed on a case-by-case basis, but might include the use of an electronic projection unit, VCR, audio or marker board materials.

Student Material

Student materials will involve copies of “Analyzing Criminal Behavior II”, Cooper/King, IQ Publishing, 2002

In addition, the instructors will supply the student with other information as needed, including any necessary forms dealing with Victimology Assessment, Offender and Offender Risk Assessment, Evaluating the Initial Contact Site, the Crime Scene and the Disposal Site as well as 6 other Major Case Investigative forms.

Depending on student understanding, a wide range of video, audio and PowerPoint presentations will be used in the training session, and the instructors will come prepared with everything they will need to make this an informative, fast-paced learning experience. The materials will range from commercially driven video to personal interviews conducted by the instructors with some of America’s most dangerous murders, rapists and violent offenders. Detailed lesson plans are available as needed, but copies of the PowerPoint presentations and crime scene photographs cannot be supplied with this document.

Due to publishing restrictions, these training materials are not enclosed for a review!

Evaluations of Past Courses

Evaluations of past presentations are available upon request if this material and telephonic interviews are not satisfactory. In addition, we are happy to provide the names of references from all across America to assist you in your decision.