Child Death Investigation Techniques

Instructors: Mark Crider
Course length: 16 hours (2 days)

Child Death Investigation Techniques is practical multidisciplinary training designed for detectives, CSI personnel, patrol officers, social workers, medical professionals, and child protection partners involved in the investigation of child fatalities. This course provides participants with a comprehensive framework for recognizing, documenting, and interpreting child death typologies, including natural, accidental, inflicted, neglect-related, SIDS/SUIDS, and undetermined causes.

Through lecture, case studies, and guided discussion, attendees will learn to evaluate death scenes, understand injury patterns unique to infants and children, properly collect and preserve evidence, and collaborate effectively with medico-legal and child protection agencies. The use of digital data including BWC recordings, recorded suspect interviews and interrogation, surveillance video and social media will be used during case presentations and group discussion from current investigations. Emphasis is placed on avoiding confirmation bias and distinguishing between accidental and inflicted trauma.

DAY 1

Introductions, Course Overview and Course Goals
Child Death Typologies & Indicators
Scene Response & Scene Management
Scene Documentation & Evidence Collection
Investigative Interviews with Caregivers

DAY 2

Medical Examiner/Coroner Collaboration
Digital & Background Investigation
Infant and Young Child Forensics
Case Management & Multi-Disciplinary Response
Writing Clear, Defensible Reports
Case Studies: Natural, Accidental, Neglect, and Homicide
Final Summary of Training, Questions and Child Death
Investigation Resources Provided

Mark Crider

Mark Crider is a highly accomplished recently retired Homicide Detective with the Denver Police Department, bringing 34 years of distinguished law enforcement experience to his work as an investigator, instructor, and subject matter expert.

His career began with honorable service in the U.S. Air Force Security Forces, followed by his role as a patrol officer with the St. Petersburg Police Department. In 1995, he joined the Denver Police Department, where he spent more than 23 years as a detective—over 21 of them in the Homicide Unit.

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