Blood, Bullets, and More - 24 Hours
The program is taught from a hands-on point of view by investigators and forensic practitioners active in the field. The class is intended for law enforcement officers, crime scene investigators, evidence technicians and crime laboratory personnel involved in the investigation, identification, collection, and preservation of evidence at violent crime scenes. The objective is to provide the information needed to ensure critical pieces of evidence will be collected, fewer cases will be jeopardized by mishandled evidence and more cases will be solved through the proper use of these advanced investigative techniques. Participants will have the opportunity to apply newly acquired knowledge through practical exercises.
Digital Police Photography - 24 Hours
This is a hands-on course designed to teach the basic fundamentals, as well as forensic applications, of digital photography at various types of scenes. The participant will be taught how to use their department’s camera equipment, focusing on manual modes, automatic modes, digital SOP’s, flash operation, and many other practical applications. A variety of photographic assignments will be covered to challenge each student and help prepare them for any situation they may encounter as a crime scene specialist, crime scene investigator, or forensic scientist involved in investigative photography.
***Required Equipment***
A digital SLR camera, tripod, shutter release cable, external flash with sync cord, and flashlight are required for the practical exercises. Students should also have the camera’s user manual. (Point and Shoot Cameras are not acceptable.)
Bloodstain Pattern Analysis - 40 Hours
This is a 40-hour basic course of instruction in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis. The course is designed for investigators, crime scene technicians, forensic scientists, and others involved in criminal, medical, or legal investigations. This course takes a hands-on approach to understanding bloodstain patterns. Approximately 50% of the course consists of experiments and practical exercises. It provides basic knowledge of bloodstain pattern analysis and the fundamentals of bloodstain pattern interpretation, documentation, and reporting. The curriculum is designed to meet or exceed the requirements as described by the IABPA and IAI for a 40-hour basic Bloodstain Pattern Analysis course.
*Note: Attendance in this course will not qualify you as an expert in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis. Only a court or certifying entity can designate an expert.
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Investigation and Reconstruction of Shooting Incidents - 40 Hours
This is a hands-on course designed to teach the forensic investigation and reconstruction of shooting incidents. Live-fire demonstrations will be utilized to illustrate the physical characteristics and dynamics of bullet impacts on metal, glass, and other common substrates. Mock crime scene assignments and exercises will be used to challenge each student and help prepare them for any situation they may encounter as a crime scene specialist, criminal investigator, death investigator, or forensic scientist involved in shooting scene investigations.
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*Note: Attendance in this course will not qualify you as an expert in Shooting Reconstruction. Only a court or certifying entity can designate an expert.
Basic Fingerprint Identification - 40 Hours
This course is for criminal justice personnel, officers, and laboratory technicians who work with fingerprints and is designed for beginners. No experience is necessary. The objective is to train the student in fingerprint pattern recognition and to compare and identify fingerprints. Instruction on the history of fingerprints, basic physiology of friction ridge formation, the taking of inked fingerprints, basic tools/ methodology used in fingerprint comparison, and basic courtroom testimony dealing with enhanced punishment (pen packet testimony) is included. Note: This course does not include work with latent prints.
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Latent Fingerprint Comparison – Intermediate 40 Hours
This course provides an extensive practical application of Friction Ridge Comparisons using both fingerprints and palm prints. Instruction also encompasses the scientific methodologies of examinations on friction ridge impressions as well as the scientific basis for friction ridge identification (individualization). Students will be trained in the presentation of expert testimony as well as courtroom demeanor. The class will then participate in an introduction to moot court presentations.
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Latent Fingerprint Comparison – Advanced 40 Hours
This course provides an extensive practical application of Friction Ridge Comparisons using both fingerprints and palm prints. Instruction also encompasses the scientific methodologies of examinations on friction ridge impressions as well as the scientific basis for friction ridge identification (individualization). Students will be trained in the presentation of expert testimony as well as courtroom demeanor. The class will then participate in an introduction to moot court presentations.
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Basic Criminal Investigations – 40 Hours
The “Basic Criminal Investigation: Crime Scene to Courtroom” program prepares the attendee for the transition from their current position to an investigative assignment, such as Detective or Criminal Investigator.
The BCI course prepares officers to manage a wide variety of common criminal investigations, from the initial scene response to case preparation and presentation for prosecution. An emphasis is placed on the preparation of affidavits, preparation and execution of search and arrest warrants, interview and interrogation procedures, and the identification, collection, and preservation of physical evidence.
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Investigative Statement Analysis - 24 Hours
"The Truth is in the Lies" presented by Texas Forensic Associates
ABOUT THE COURSE
This course is the structured examination of a person's verbatim words for indicators of truthfulness and deception. It is an investigative tool that helps determine a subject's indicators of deception. Just as in an interview setting, we have "tells" that give us away in writing. Wouldn't you like to be able to read a written statement or listen to a 911 call and quickly identify whether the person making the statement was being truthful? That's what ISA will teach you. It gives you tools to prioritize your cases and increase your clearances. This program is used by the FBI and many other law enforcement agencies with great success. It has been refined over decades of development and thousands of statements.
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Palm Print Recognition & Identification - 24 Hours
ABOUT THE COURSE
This course is for criminal justice personnel, officers, and laboratory technicians who work with friction ridge evidence. A basic knowledge of fingerprint recognition and identification is required. No previous experience working with palm prints is necessary. The objective is to train the student in the recognition and identification of the friction ridge detail present on the palms.
Prerequisite: The student must have completed a Basic Fingerprint Identification (40 hrs.) class prior to attending this program.
YOU WILL LEARN
The Palm Print Recognition and Identification Course is designed to give the student the ability to analyze partial latent palm impressions and determine what region of which hand the impressions are from. With this information, latent searches and individualizations can be performed more efficiently and with greater confidence.
This is accomplished by teaching students the major and minor ridge flows, ridge characteristics, and crease formations present in palm prints. The course also covers palm print documentation and terminology that supports writing ACE-V reports and testifying in court on palm impression identifications. Students will begin by working with whole palm impressions and, through practical exercises, progress to identifying smaller fragmented impressions with confidence.
Latent Fingerprint Processing - 24 Hours
ABOUT THE COURSE
This 24-hour course is intended for law enforcement officers, investigators, technicians, and crime laboratory personnel tasked with processing crime scenes and/or physical evidence for latent print evidence. The course emphasizes hands-on practice with latent print development materials and methods, including conventional, fluorescent, and magnetic powder processing, adhesive materials processing, basic chemical processing, and cyanoacrylate fuming. Students will learn to collect and preserve latent print evidence using tape lifting techniques, photography, and impression casting materials.
Prerequisite: None.
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Cold Case Investigations - 16 Hours
ABOUT THE COURSE
This two-day seminar is designed to provide investigators with a comprehensive overview of cold case homicide investigations. The instructor will fully explain and evaluate methodology and established protocols for conducting cold case investigations. The instructor will use case studies to highlight lessons learned and best investigative practices. Upon completion of the seminar, investigators will be equipped with the necessary tools to successfully conduct previously unresolved murder investigations. Prerequisite: None.
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Death Scene Investigation - 16 Hours
ABOUT THE COURSE
Join us for this dynamic 2-day training seminar on death scene investigations. Through the use of case studies and the best-selling "Death Scene Investigation Procedural Guide", the author will guide participants through the protocols, procedures, and processes used in modern death scene investigations. This course is ideal for new detectives, death investigators, crime scene investigators, or supervisors. It also serves as an effective refresher and introduction to new techniques for experienced investigators. Seminar tuition includes a copy of "Death Scene Investigation Procedural Guide" (CRC Press).
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Crime Scene Reconstruction - 24 Hours
ABOUT THE COURSE
Join us for this dynamic 3-day training seminar/practicum on crime scene reconstruction. Through the use of case studies and the student workbook, participants will become familiar with the basic principles of logic, logical fallacies, and event analysis. They will learn to identify situations where a reconstruction is appropriate and how to organize case materials for a reconstruction effort. Students will have the opportunity, through workbook case files, to complete a series of guided exercises that apply the principles learned during lectures to progressively more challenging reconstruction problems.
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Sexual Assault Investigations - 24 Hours
ABOUT THE COURSE
This program is taught from a practitioner’s point of view and is designed to benefit investigators or patrol officers assigned to sexual assault cases from the initial report through to case completion. It emphasizes techniques that increase the likelihood of successful prosecution for the guilty while protecting the rights of the innocently accused. The course promotes a holistic approach to resolving adult and child sexual assault cases by involving key stakeholders and applying practical, common-sense tactics to uncover the truth. Attendees will also learn strategies for handling delayed outcry cases, including victim/witness interviews and suspect interrogations.
Prerequisite: None.
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Forensic Digital Photography:
UV / IR Applications - 24 Hours
ABOUT THE COURSE
This is a hands-on course designed to introduce and train students in the forensic application of UltraViolet and Infrared Photography. The class features the Fuji XT1IR digital camera, which, along with all required accessories, is provided for use during the course. Through extensive practical exercises, students will build skills in photographing latent fingerprints, gunshot residue, bloodstains, bodily fluids, forged documents, bruises, and bitemark evidence.
Prerequisite: Students must have completed a basic digital photography class and understand how to operate a digital camera in manual and priority modes.
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