​Instructors:
​Brian Clark, Lacey Oden, & Nancy Sulinski-Steffens
Course length: 8 hours

This course is designed for any investigator who seeks to receive introductory training on Bluestar Forensic application, documentation and uses. The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the correct procedures when utilizing Bluestar Forensic at a crime scene or in the laboratory.  This course will provide an understanding of how to locate latent blood or blood that has been cleaned at a crime scene. Students will learn how to locate trace bloodstains encountered at a crime scene and how to properly document those areas with photography. Students will learn how to photograph these chemicals in low light utilizing timed exposure techniques.

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will demonstrate how to correctly document latent bloodstains found at crime scenes utilizing proper chemical enhancement and photography techniques. The student will gain knowledge of presumptive testing procedures, porous and non-porous surfaces and which chemicals to choose to enhance various bloodstains for optimal results.  
It is recommended that students have previously completed a basic crime scene processing workshop course or have experience in the field. Students will need to bring the following equipment, if possible: DSLR camera, tripod, lens, and external flash.
 
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
  • Knowledge of health and safety precautions when utilizing chemicals
  • Identify various presumptive tests and how the work
  • Understand the concepts of porous and non-porous evidence
  • Apply various detection and enhancement methods to latent, diluted, or altered bloodstains
  • Identify what type of chemistry to use for specific substrates and surfaces
  • Define the difference between heme specific and protein specific enhancement chemistry
  • List examples of false positives for each chemical discussed
  • Utilize proper photographic techniques to capture Bluestar Forensic chemistry with low light and timed exposure
  • Apply knowledge learned to document and enhance blood at a crime scene utilizing best practices
 
 
Highlights of the course:
  • Learn best practices for the application of Bluestar Forensic and other chemiluminescent reagents through hands-on exercises dealing with latent bloodstains and cleaned-up bloodstains
  • Learn to identify false positive reactions through hands-on exercises
  • Learn best practices for the documentation of these reagents through the use of low-light photography
  • See case study reviews where Bluestar Forensic was used
  • Learn how to testify in cases where Bluestar Forensic was used
Brian Clark
Mr. Clark obtained a Master of Forensic Sciences degree from The George Washington University and was assigned as a Forensic Sciences Consultant for AFOSI. Following his participation at the 9/11 Pentagon Crash Site, he was deployed to the Middle East in the opening days of Operation Enduring Freedom as a force protection asset. After separating from the Air Force in 2003, he attended the FBI Academy and upon graduation was assigned to the Chicago Division working on Counter Terrorism, Violent Crime, Fraud, and Public Corruption investigations.
Lacey Oden
Lacey is a certified Senior Crime Scene Analyst by the International Association for Identification (IAI).  She is an Oklahoma State University graduate and is scheduled to graduate with a Doctorate in Forensic Science in December of 2024.  Lacey has attended over 800 hours of specialized training in forensic disciples, FBI-LEEDA Executive Leadership, FBI-LEEDA Command Leadership, FBI-LEEDA Supervisor Leadership Institute, and various other leadership courses. Lacey is a certified FDLE Instructor and part-time Vocational Instructor for Escambia County School District, where she instructs cadets at the Law Enforcement Academy in the areas of on-scene security and preservation, crime scene processing, fingerprint examination, and courtroom testimony. 
 
Nancy Sulinski-Steffens
Nancy, a seasoned law enforcement professional with over twenty-five years of experience, has specialized in forensic sciences, excelling in the identification, documentation, preservation, and collection of evidence during criminal investigations. Certified as a Crime Scene Analyst, she serves as the 1st Vice President for the Florida Division of the International Association of Identification. 

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