Homicide/Death Investigation  << back

Homicide: The Investigative Challenge

Length of Seminar: 2.5 Days
Instructor: David W. Rivers

Course Overview:

This two and a half day training module will provide the attendee with the skills and competency to conduct complete and thorough homicide investigations with prosecutorial merit. Additionally, the attendee will be provided with the skills to recognize and handle other types of death investigations, bringing them to a successful conclusion.

A case will be examined at the beginning of the class through discussion, questions, and answers as well as an evaluation of evidence discovered by student observations. After the discussion the students will evaluate whether the classification of the case should be accidental death, suicide, or homicide.

The class will cover the three basic steps in all homicide investigations: crime scene, follow-up, and case & courtroom presentation.

Crime Scene: This block will cover the most recent and important relevant court decisions regarding search and seizure as well as some basic techniques and definitions.

Follow-up: The follow-up phase can also be called the detecting phase. Some of the topics discussed will be interviews, area canvasses, technology, Miranda and other court decisions, as well as some ethnic and cultural issues.

Case & Courtroom Presentation: Attendees will examine some suggestions from defense attorneys, judges, and prosecutors on how to be a better witness, and how to be better prepared for court. A brief history of the Cold Case Squad, their makeup, and how they have evolved over the years will be discussed. Students will learn the 12 basic steps to re-opening and managing unresolved cases. Some successful cold case prosecutions will be reviewed.Other types of death investigations will be covered: autoerotic deaths, non-vehicular accidental deaths, suicides, and unattended natural deaths.

Autoerotic Deaths: These types of deaths are some of the most unique and challenging cases an officer will face.

Non-vehicular Accidental Deaths: These types of cases have a propensity to end up in civil court and require an in-depth and thorough investigation.

Suicides: These types of investigations have a multitude of problems that face the investigator. The analysis of these problems will provide the investigator with the skills and tools necessary to objectively examine these cases.

Unattended Natural Deaths: When a person in apparent good health dies or even if the individual has been ill, the family wants answers.

Deadly force and the multitude of subjects in dealing with its application by officers as well as the deaths of officers in the line of duty will be discussed. Attendees will be provided with skills that are critical to the understanding of the dynamics and problems that occur during these types of cases.