Crime Scene Investigations Workshop

Instructor: Sharon Plotkin, EDD, CCSI
Course length: 40 hours

This 40-hour Crime Scene Investigations Workshop is designed to instruct the proper methods and techniques to be applied when investigating and documenting crime scenes. Techniques that can be employed to identify and process and/or collect physical evidence at the scene will be covered.

The course is intended for crime scene technicians and investigators as well as patrol officers and detectives who are charged with the responsibility of processing crime scenes. University students and individuals seeking employment in the field of forensics are also welcome to attend.

Day 1: Documenting Crime Scenes
Documenting the crime scene with note taking, report writing, sketching, and photography will be practiced. Crime scene search principles and patterns will be discussed.

Day 2: Photography, Impression Evidence, and Trace Evidence
Crime scene photography techniques are continued. Detection and collection of impression and trace evidence will be practiced. Packaging of evidence and chain-of-custody concerns will be discussed. The use of forensic light sources for the detection of trace evidence such as body fluids will be practiced.

Day 3: Fingerprint Evidence
Mechanical and chemical processing of fingerprint evidence will be practiced. Topics include recognizing surfaces conducive to processing and recognition of appropriate processes to be used in various instances.

Day 4: Intro to Bloodstain Reconstruction
Methods for the detection and enhancement of the visibility of latent bloodstains and documenting bloodstain evidence will be practiced.

Day 5: Intro to Shooting Reconstruction, Toolmark Evidence, and Testimony
Documentation of bullet trajectories using lasers, rods, and string as well as casting toolmark impressions will be practiced. Testifying in court as to findings at the crime scene will be discussed.

Goals and Objectives
Upon completion of this workshop, the student will be able to describe the proper documentation of a crime scene to include:

Discussion of Photography
- Lighting techniques that provide best results
- Camera operations that provide focused, sharp, examination quality images
Demonstrate sample images taken during in-class exercises
Discussion of Sketching
- Floorplan
- Projection
- Exploded View
Demonstrate sample sketch drawn during in-class exercises
Search Procedures
- Describe at least three different search patterns, how they differ, and examples of situations where each works best
Evidence Collection
- Demonstrate the ability to package different types of evidence during in-class exercises
- Demonstrate the ability to complete a lab analysis sheet
- Demonstrate the ability to complete a property receipt
Describe crime scene safety issues, listing at least three concerns of investigators at crime scenes
- List personal protective equipment to be used at all scenes
- List personal protective equipment to be used at critical scenes
Fingerprinting
- Describe how to recognize surfaces conducive to fingerprints
- Describe techniques for lifting identifiable fingerprints
  - Using standard fingerprint powder
  - Using magnetic fingerprint powder
  - Using fluorescent fingerprint powder
  - Using dye stains and other chemical processes
Bloodstain Pattern Recognition
- Describe the difference between passive and active blood flow
- Describe how directionality of bloodstains can be determined
- Discuss how points of convergence can be determined
Detection and Enhancement of Blood on Crime Scenes
- Discuss Bluestar Forensic and how it is properly applied and documented
- Discuss how Amido Black is properly applied and documented
Use of alternate light sources to detect trace evidence and bodily fluids
- Describe the mechanics of fluorescence
- Discuss the use of forensic light sources to locate evidence including
  - Use of different wavelengths of light
  - Selecting the proper barrier filtration to optimize visibility of the evidence
  - List which colors of light tend to work best with each filter
    - Red
    - Yellow
    - Orange
Discuss shooting reconstruction (Bullet trajectory documentation)
- Describe steps used to document the trajectory using a laser(s)
- Describe steps used to document the trajectory using a rod(s)
- Describe steps used to document the trajectory using a string
Describe how impression evidence is ideally documented
- Describe special photographic techniques used to document the evidence
- Describe casting techniques used to document and collect the evidence
- Discuss precautions to be taken to safeguard casts
Court room procedures and testimony
- Describe preparations to testify in courtroom proceedings
- Discuss how the investigator can act as a teacher for the judge and jury
- Describe proper demeanor for professionalism in court

Sharon Plotkin, EDD, CCSI

Sharon obtained her Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology from Florida International University. She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work, also from Florida International University and an Associate of Arts degree in Psychology from Broward Community College. She is currently seeking a doctoral degree in education. She is a member of several forensic organizations including American Academy of Forensic Science, International Association for Identification and Goldcoast Forensics.

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