​Instructor: Domingo Villarreal, CSCSA
Course length: 40 hours

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This course provides crime scene technicians, detectives, and police officers with the necessary knowledge and skills for the interpretation and reconstruction of events at a scene of a crime, as well as the proper collection, preservation, and packaging of evidence.  Participants will also learn best practices for crime scene investigation and documentation to ensure the most accurate and thorough report of the scene.

Training Goals and Objectives
Understanding the significance of physical evidence at a crime scene is critical, as its relevance may only become clear as an investigation progresses. This course emphasizes the importance of:

• Properly interpreting and mentally reconstructing the scene before any evidence is recovered, removed, or disturbed.
• Crime Scene Management is needed for different types of major scenes.
• Preventing alterations to the scene due to lack of training, carelessness, or oversight, ensuring that vital evidence is collected, packaged and preserved for legal proceedings.

The course follows a 40-hour format, Monday through Friday from 0800 to 1700 hours. Each day introduces key topics reinforced by hands-on practical exercises.

Course Schedule & Daily Agenda
Day 1: Foundations of Crime Scene Investigation

• Instructor and student introductions
• Course overview
• Introduction to Crime Scene Investigation and initial scene assessment
• Homework Assignment: Bring five different items to process for fingerprint analysis

Day 2: Scene Processing Techniques

• Roles & Responsibilities in crime scene investigations
• Crime Scene Search and Sketching
• Latent Print Processing – Fingerprint detection and collection methods
• Crime Scene Photography – Techniques for documenting evidence effectively
•  Homework Assignment: Prepare a detailed diagram of your residence

Day 3: Evidence Handling & Scene Documentation

• Comprehensive Documentation of the Crime Scene
• Crime Scene Management Strategies
• DNA, Trace, and Firearms Evidence Collection
• Proper Evidence Collection, Packaging, and Preservation

Day 4: Specialized Investigations & Practical Application

• Investigating Violent Crimes & Financial Crimes
• Chain of Custody & Legal Considerations
• Evidence Identification and Documentation
• Mock Crime Scene – Practical Exercise

Day 5: Practical Assessments & Course Completion

• Mock Crime Scene Investigation – Hands-on application of learned techniques
• Mock Crime Scene Presentation – Team-based evidence documentation and review
• Final Written Examination

Domingo Villareal,
CSCSA

International Representative and Past President of the International Association for Identification (IAI), FBI National Academy graduate (Session 233), and International Crime Scene Investigation Instructor

Domingo “Mingo” Villarreal has more than 35 years of law enforcement and forensic investigation experience and currently serves as a Lieutenant with the San Jacinto County Sheriff’s Office in Texas, where he oversees Cold Case Investigations, Evidence, and Records.

He serves as the International Representative for the International Association for Identification (IAI) and previously served as President and Chairman of the Board of the IAI, the world’s oldest and largest forensic identification association. Earlier in his career, he served eight years as Chairman of the IAI Crime Scene Certification Board (2006–2014), helping oversee certification standards for crime scene investigators worldwide.​​

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