Introduction to Crime Scene Investigation

Prerequisites: None
Course Length: 40-Hours
Level: Beginner to Intermediate

The course is structured for basic and intermediate-level investigators, crime scene technicians, and students interested in crime scene investigations. The course is intended for new and limited on-the-job students.

This course focuses on lectures and hands-on activities to improve the student’s learning of each topic. Since photography is an integral part of crime scene investigations, students will incorporate photography throughout the course and receive critiques for each exercise. Bring your agency issued camera, tripod, and photography equipment.

Advanced Crime Scene Investigation training is offered in a separate course.

Topics and activities that will be covered:

• History and Ethics of Crime Scene Investigations
• Crime Scene Management (Steps investigating a crime scene from beginning to final walk through)
• Crime Scene equipment
• Photographic and lighting equipment
• Camera – manual mode, depth of field, ISO,  tripod
• Scene diagramming
• Processing blood scenes using Amido Black, Leuco-Crystal Violet, and Bluestar
• Types of bloodstain patterns
• Presumptive blood tests
• Collection of DNA
• Processing evidence using powders, superglue, ninhydrin
• Evidence packaging and preservation
• Footwear evidence – locating, documenting, and processing
• Casting footwear / tire impressions using dental stone
• Collection of 2-D footwear prints using gel-lifters or Electrostatic Dust Lifters
• Basic identification of shooting scenes
• Field training exercise of an expanding mock crime scene

Please wear appropriate work attire with closed toes shoes as this is a hands-on class. Please bring any equipment your agency is used to working with (i.e. cameras, tripods, etc.).