Instructors: Tom Hill & Stewart Mosher Course length: 40 hours
The initial response to the crime scene and its investigation will often dictate whether or not the crime being investigated will be solved. The Crime Scene Investigation course on the response to and processing of crime scenes will prepare the student to improve his or her skills in documenting scenes, identifying, processing, and collecting evidence from the scenes, and will begin to prepare them to testify as to their findings. The course is intended for basic to intermediate-level investigators and technicians who have limited on-the-job experience. New personnel, those who do not investigate crime scenes on a full-time basis, and those currently working in the field of crime scene investigations for less than two years will benefit most from this course.
Topics will be presented in a lecture format that will be immediately followed by hands-on exercises that reinforce the learning of material presented in the lectures.
DAY 1 The first block of instruction will be related to photography with a concentration on the relationship between ISO, Aperture and Shutter Speed. There is a great deal of hands on during the week that will be accomplished through the use of photography. An understanding of these relationships is beneficial for not only these exercises, but will also benefit the student when he or she returns to work. • File sizes • Deleting images • Overall photos vs mid-range photos vs close-up or evidence photos • Proper use of scales and measuring devices to preserve life-size reproducibility • Proper use of photo information placards and evidence markers • Image preservation and archiving
The remainder of the first day will cover documenting the crime scene. Stress will be placed on how to take a methodical approach to make sure that the most positive results will be obtained by the end of the investigation. • Diagraming • Note Taking • Video • 360° Photography • Drones
The students will be required to draw a detailed diagram of a mock crime scene.
DAY 2 The second day will be spent on processing evidence and proper packaging methods. The lectures will be reinforced through the use of hands-on exercises. • Processing Fingerprints with Black Powder • Processing Fingerprints with Super Glue • Processing Fingerprints with Iodine fuming • Processing Fingerprints in Blood with Amido Black • Processing Fingerprints in Blood with Leuco Crystal Violet • Processing Bloodstained Scenes with Blue Star Forensic • How to properly process a car
Day 3 (Late start - Noon to 9 PM) The first half of this day is devoted to the processing, documentation, and collection of blood evidence at crime scenes. • Testing Blood using Phenolphthalein (PTH) • Collecting Blood Samples/DNA from Different Substrates • Bloodstain Patterns, Their Descriptions and Definitions • Locating Bloodstains • Photographically Documenting Bloodstains Using the Grid Method • Other Documentation Methods • Clandestine Scene Clean-ups • Examining, Photographically Documenting, and Packaging Bloodstained Clothing • The M-VAC and its Capabilities for Collecting DNA from the Substrate
The second half of this day is devoted to low light photography • Timed exposures • Painting with Light using Constant Light Sources or Electronic Flash
Day 4 The entire day is spent on the documentation of footwear evidence. • Footwear: Locating, Processing, Documenting, and Collecting • Recovering 2D Marks using Powder or Blood Enhancement Chemicals • How to Photograph 3D Impressions using Flash • Casting Impressions • Taking Elimination Impressions from First Responders and Victims
Day 5 The final day of the course begins with an introduction to testifying in court and the course concludes with a demonstration of how the proper use of Photoshop can enhance evidence collected from the scene. • Methods for Testifying at Trials, Grand Juries and Depositions • Preparing and Using Demonstrative Aides when Testifying • Photoshop Enhancement of Evidence
