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Crime Scene Investigation for New Detectives and New Criminal Investigators - Phase I

Length of Seminar: 2.5 Days
Instructor: Joseph E. Fyffe

Course Objectives:

Brings to the officers a level of awareness of the ramifications of failure to properly process the crime scene.

Crime Scene Overview: This period covers the intended results of this seminar, as well as an overview of the various levels of responsibility encountered as an evidence technician. The officer will be made aware of expected levels of performance and safeguards to be employed to protect him/herself from liabilities, which may be caused by others.

Evidence: This segment will be used to discuss values of various forms of evidence and measures to protect the integrity of these most important elements of truth.

First Responders Duties: During this section, the student will be instructed in methods used in protecting, evaluating, and planning the processing of the crime scene. Also, the instructor will cover major concerns of the evidence technician regarding officer safety, above and beyond those normally associated with the duties of the patrol officer.

Forms And Documentation: The student will be introduced to various forms used to simplify the process of note taking, documentation, and record keeping.

Overview Of Crime Scene Processing: Slide presentations will provide the student with the opportunity to, photographically, “walk through” several crime scenes. Preferred methods for moving through the crime scene and documenting evidence will be explained.

Processing The Crime Scene: Students will have the opportunity to “analyze” various crime scenes and will learn common indicators of what did or did not actually occur and “why”.

Blood Stain Pattern Recognition And Altered Crime Scenes: During this period, students will gain an insight into the diagramming of blood stain patterns, transfer patterns, etc. He/She will be introduced to the mapping technique used by many examiners, allowing later reconstruction of this valuable evidence. Because “Things Are Not Always As They Seem” students will receive a new appreciation for indicators of fabricated and/or altered crime scenes.

Crime Scene Photography: This period provides the student with an appreciation of light, “the essence of photography” and an understanding of its’ qualities and characteristics and how these relate to the finished photo. He/She will learn the principles of camera functions and how to use these features to control the appearance of the finished product. Lens application and elements of distortion will also be discussed.

Digital Imaging: The student will gain an appreciation of the time and money saving benefits of digital imaging, as well as the expected challenges associated with this frontier technology. He/She will learn how this technology enables us to enhance low quality images to provide a more usable item of evidence. Emphasis will be placed on the need for authentication of the integrity of these images, as per standards set forth by federal rules of evidence, and how it compares to the familiar “film” concept. Equipment and transition concerns will also be addressed.

Fingerprinting The Crime Scene: During this session, the instructor will explain the various types of fingerprints officers can expect to encounter. Collection and documentation methods for each (ranging from photography to an explanation of various chemical methods) will be offered. The student will be shown fingerprints on items generally thought to be unprintable. Cyanoacrylate (super glue) fuming will be explained as well as chemical enhancements available for these prints. The students will be given pointers on how needed equipment can be built from readily available items, at a much lower cost than commercially manufactured equipment.

Collection Of Physical Evidence: During this period, the student will be trained in the techniques of collecting various items of evidence, with the emphasis being placed on officer safety as well as protecting the integrity of the recovered evidence.

Crime Scene Search: Students will become familiar with the application of various search patterns to provide the most thorough coverage.

Crime Scene Sketching: This “Hands-On” period will train the student to reduce the crime scene dimensions, by scale, allowing these to be put on paper. He/She will be trained to use the sketch to “tie together” his/her notes and crime scene photos so that reconstruction will be possible, when necessary.

View Phase II here