Course Description

This three day death investigation course instructs & consults fellow members of law enforcement at each level in the successful investigation and prosecution of violent offenders. Because of its unique presentation and course content, this continues to be one of the most requested and popular death investigation training courses available today.

Those who attend will learn to develop successful crime scene strategies that will afford them the best opportunity to properly document a violent crime scene and have analyzed the very probative evidence that will eventually lead them down that path of truth. Concentration is on the crime scene and the ability for the homicide detective to recognize various crime scene indicators coupled with victimology that will make it much easier to establish a proper motive.

Successful prosecution always begins at the initial crime scene. The recognition of physical evidence and its documentation, collection and analysis are key to an accurate and reliable reconstruction. This course also teaches and stresses the importance of proper crime scene protocol that will ensure the thorough process and documentation of any homicide scene, which often is followed by arrest of the offender and successful prosecution.

Course Topics Include

*Development of Standard Operating Procedures Regarding the Suspicious Death Scene

*Defining and Explaining the Various Levels of Association that Exist Between the          

  Homicide Victim and Offender (Pyramid of Association) (Solvability Factors)

*Initial Scene Responsibilities Covering Boundaries, Canvassing (Data Collection) &

  Immediate Leads (Sources)    

*Proper Crime Scene Protocol as it Relates to Death Investigation & Homicide

*Cold Case Investigation Strategies & Review of Solvability Factors (Case Objectives)

*Cold Case Reviews

*Evaluation of the 911 Call During the Active Phase through Case Reviews

*Sources of Crime Scene Contamination & Prevention (Assessment Accountability)

*Categories of Circumstantial Evidence and Recognition of Contamination

*Victimology and Immediate Lead Indicators (High vs. Low Risk)

*Medical-Legal Death Investigation (Victim I.D. / Time of Death / Injury Recognition)

*Primary & Secondary Crime Scenes (Proper Definition)

*Crime Scene Sequence Event Determination – Model Employing Scientific Method

*Crime Scene Evaluation (Execution of the Walk-thru)      

*Crime Scene Indicators Related to Motive, Manner of Death & Method of Operation

*DNA Review and Touch Evidence (Familial DNA & Phenotyping) (Genealogy)

*Specific Types of Crime Scenes & Related Forensic Disciplines

*Case Review (To Change Each Course)

*Suicide and Equivocal Death Scene Investigation – Analysis of Equivocal Death

*SIDS Review and Infant Homicide Scene

Who Should Attend?

Inside the Tape Death Investigation & Crime Scene Management Training is designed to benefit members of law-enforcement from all branches and with all levels of experience. From rookie first responders all the way to the seasoned investigator, this course will provide a wealth of knowledge and information. Lead investigator's develop a sense of what their ultimate objective and goals are within the crime scene, and how to recognize what forensic application would be appropriate based on the evaluation of each scene.

Medical examiner investigators and coroners are also encouraged to take part in this training because of the important role each plays at the crime scene regarding the body and cooperation with the investigating agency.

Prosecutors also benefit from this training because it teaches them the proper process and protocol that should be developed and followed regarding violent crime scenes, and makes the process of preparing the prosecutions case for trial much easier. It also assists them in providing useful information regarding negative witnesses and evidence that is not uncovered, and how the education of the jury can go a long way to successful prosecution. For example, a piece of evidence lacking latent prints or trace — does this lack of evidence indicate the suspect did not have contact with the object? A common argument presented by the defense, but one that can also be easily countered by the prosecution.

Supervisors also benefit tremendously from this training because they learn the various models for crime scene management and the various roles each investigator should have. They are exposed to the benefits of division of labor and the overall importance of managing the crime scene from the lead investigator's perspective. Proper protocol is discussed that can easily be adapted by the various models of management, based on each individual agencies needs and access to resources.