Basic Crime Scene

Basic Crime Scene Investigation Techniques

The aim of the course Basic Crime Scene Technology is to introduce the Crime Scene Technician/Police Officer with the accurate preservation of crime scene related evidence. The collection and preservation of evidence, packaging of evidence, and recording the crime scene through diagrams, photography, video and digitally provides for the best possible evidence recovery.

Training Goals and Objectives

Many times, it is not immediately apparent what the important pieces of physical evidence may be. Only as the investigation, progress does the value of these various items become apparent. At the beginning of the investigation, it is vital that the scene be completely secured and photographed before any evidence can be removed or disturbed.

It is important to keep in mind the value of photography in the recording of evidence at the crime scene. A permanent record of the scene of a crime is vital for its presentation in court. Because of carelessness or an oversight, the scene must never be altered. Hence, the scene can never be returned to its original condition and many important items necessary for a court presentation can be lost.

Crime Scene Technology has come a long way in 60 years, but still an estimate of only 15% of physical evidence left on a crime scene is collected or recovered.

Training Audience, Format, and Content

This course in will teach the general procedures that apply to all types of crime scenes, whether they are homicide, suicide, rape, burglary, robbery or arson. Recording the crime scene through photography, collection, and preservation of evidence, and practical applications of evidence recovery.

This is an intermediate skills development course designed for the law enforcement, crime scene search, investigators and Property and Evidence Custodians.

This course is most successful when taught and received with audiences of 30 officers or fewer, but has been given in groups of 40 or more with successful reviews. The smaller groups enable officers to have more direct dialog & contact with the instructors and the other students.

The course is designed in a 4-day format with each day involving the exploration of a different topic and reinforced with Scenario driven, practical application learning. The course is generally designed to run from 0800 to 1600 hours daily, but can be manipulated for evenings and extended days as needed.

Session: 40 hours with 32 hour classroom / Hands-on instruction, w/ 8 hours of Off-Site Assignment

Daily content and course schedule/agenda:

Day 1
Introduction to Crime Scene Processing
Securing the Crime Scene
Trace Evidence, Hairs, Fibers and Electro-static Dust Evidence Recovery
3-D Evidence Recovery
Notes, Diagramming, & Reports
Scenario: Working the Crime Scene

Day 2
Scenario: Search Types with Grid Search of Surface Skeletons
Tips and Tricks of Latent Fingerprint Processing
Collecting Blood on the Crime Scene & Presumptive Blood Testing
Powders, including Magnetic & Fluorescent
Superglue
Nin-Hydrin, Physical Developer, Small Particle Reagent, Un-du
Scenario: Tips and Tricks of Latent Fingerprint Processing
Latent Print Recovery on Human Skin

Day 3
Photography of the Crime Scene
Video Taping the Crime Scene What to do, What Not to do
Digital Crime Scene Capture
Scenario: “Car Jacking Homicide” Photographic Capture & Evidence Recovery

Day 4
Perfect Footprints & Tire Tracks Every Time
Scenario: Footprints & Tire Tracks Photography and Casting
Scenario: Homicide, Suicide You Decide
Scenario: Courtroom Testimony

Scenarios: actual hands-on sessions
• Working the Crime Scene
• Search Types with Grid Search of Surface Skeletons
• Tips and Tricks of Latent Fingerprint Processing
• Car Jacking Homicide Photographic Capture of the Entire Scene
• Footprints & Tire Tracks Photography
• Footprints & Tire Tracks Casting
• Homicide, Suicide You Decide
• Courtroom Testimony

There are no pre-requisites to this course. However, this program is physically exerting and requires students to be in reasonably good physical condition.

Student Evaluation

The evaluation process will consist of class participation and active involvement in practical class exercises. Additionally, students must demonstrate proficiency in all techniques taught. Failure to demonstrate proficiency to instructional standards will result in an unsatisfactory performance rating for the program.

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.

Cost: 4-day course consisting of four (8-hour) days; plus eight hours of off-site assignments:

Police Officer Standards and Training Requirements

This program has met the rigorous standards of POST / POSTC / TCLEOS certifying authorities in Texas, Washington, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Minnesota, South Carolina, Florida, New Mexico, Massachusetts, and Colorado

Student Materials / NEEDS Requirements

Each Student Must Bring to Class the Following Equipment

• Digital Camera [3.2 Mega pixel or higher] w/ Electronic Flash
• Tripod
• Video Camera (Optional)

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, personal case studies of the instructors, and detailed hands on training exercises.

Student materials will involve copies of the manual “Basic Crime Scene Investigation” [176 pages].

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.