MPOETC CLEE approved

Course Description

This comprehensive criminal investigations course provides investigators with practical knowledge and advanced techniques for conducting complex investigations from initial response through trial. Topics include sexual assault investigations involving child, adult, and special victims; mobile device and digital evidence collection; open-source intelligence (OSINT) and social media investigations; search warrants; interview and interrogation techniques; death investigations; and crime scene processing. Participants will explore the use of technology in modern investigations, including mobile devices, social media, tracking technologies, and evidence gathering. Additional instruction will focus on media relations, case preparation, courtroom testimony, and working effectively with prosecutors to successfully present cases at trial. Designed for law enforcement professionals and investigators, this course delivers practical, real-world strategies that can be immediately applied to criminal investigations.

The following topics will be covered:

Cell Phone, Mobile Devices, and High Tech Crimes  

o   Smartphone and mobile device collection and data analysis to include the best practices to avoid remote data wipes.

Sex Assault Investigations -- (Child, Adult, and Special Victims). 

o   An overview into the investigations of sexual crimes to include: rape, child sex assaults, special victims; the role of victim advocates and Sex Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE).  We will also address the role of CYF, Child Advocacy Centers, and the Safer Act.

Using Technology and Advanced Investigative Techniques

o   This will explore the role and data from mobile devices. It includes warrants, apps, simple data retrieval (not forensic dump); as well as email, social media- warrants and gathering information. 

o   Recording phone conversations in investigations (beyond just drug investigations) and tracking devices.

OSINT:Social Media, Open Source, and Advanced Investigative Techniques

o   Conducting searches on multiple social media platforms to include Facebook, X, Snapchat, Instagram. Exploring commonly used lesser known social media apps.

o   Advanced Google searches, and other readily accessible open-source resources for criminal investigations.

Death Investigations

o   Natural, Accidental, Suicidal, and Homicidal deaths

o   Roles of Corners, Medical Examiners, and Forensic Pathologists

o   Medico-legal death investigations, SUIDI and other infant deaths, and the investigative process

Forensics/Crime Scene Processing

o   Crime scene processing and the gathering of forensic evidence. This outlines DNA, fingerprints, trace, GSR, footwear, and other forensic disciplines. 

Interview and Interrogation

o   The different role of both interviewing and interrogating potential suspects. This includes best practices and time-honored techniques as well as legal issues.

Search Warrants

o   Search warrant writing and construction especially for difficult investigations. Specific attention to the affidavit of probable cause and current case law.

Trial preparation

o   This includes both the preparation of a case for trial as well as the art of testifying.  Specific attention will be given to cross-examination and testifying from the defense attorney mindset.

Trial Roundtable

o   An open Q&A with a career prosecutor, defense attorney, and Commonwealth Court Judge

Media Relations

o   Working with the media, drafting a press release, conducting interviews, and press conferences.

All materials will be supplied

MPOETC CLEE approved

Course Description

This intensive five-day forensic crime scene investigation course provides participants with the knowledge and hands-on skills necessary to properly recognize, document, collect, preserve, and interpret physical evidence. Beginning with crime scene approach, management, and processing methodologies, attendees will explore the collection and analysis of trace evidence, impression evidence, latent fingerprints, forensic photography, DNA and biological evidence, bloodstain pattern analysis, and medico-legal death investigations. Instruction includes the use of modern forensic technologies, touch DNA collection, and the recognition of postmortem changes and indicators relevant to death investigations.

 The course combines classroom instruction with extensive practical exercises designed to reinforce real-world investigative skills. Participants will perform latent print development and collection, fingerprint exemplar collection, footwear and tire impression casting, toolmark documentation using Mikrosil casting techniques, biological evidence detection and collection, presumptive testing, touch DNA recovery from firearms, and the use of Alternate Light Sources for both crime scene and laboratory applications. All materials and equipment are provided, making this course ideal for law enforcement officers, detectives, crime scene investigators, forensic technicians, and other professionals responsible for processing crime scenes and handling forensic evidence.

The training will consist of five days:

DayOne: Crime Scene Processing, 

·  Scene approach and management

· Scene Processing model

· Trace Evidence

·  Impression Evidence

Day Two: Latent Prints

·  location, collection, and documentation on the scene

· lab processing for friction ridge detail

· AFIS< IAFIS, NGI, and ACE-V explained

Day Three: Forensic Photography, · SLR, point and shoot, vs phone

· equipment, flashes, macro lens, and lens distortion

· basic photography techniques (shutter speed, aperture, ISO settings)

· scene documentation techniques

· evidence collection through photography (BPA, friction ridge detail, footwear, and tire impressions, etc.

· digital imaging      

Day Four: DNA and Forensic Biology

· serology

· presumptive testing

·understanding DNA evidence

· locating, documenting, and collecting

· Touch DNA,

Day Five: Death Investigation

· Natural, Accidental, Suicidal, Homicide, Undetermined

· scene processing

· algor, livor, and rigor mortis

· petechiae and similar remarkable bodily presentations to observe

· ligatures and suicidal versus homicidal indicators

Bloodstain Pattern Analysis

· passive, projected, and transfer stains

———

Hands-on practical exercises:

·tire, and shoe impressions to include casting

·toolmarks and Mikrosil casting

·latent print, location, dusting, lifting areas of ridge detail

·collecting known exemplars of finger and palm prints

· locating and collecting biological samples on multiple substrates and under multiple conditions

· using presumptive tests

· touchDNA collection (firearms)

· using an Alternate Light Source for scene and lab work (biological evidence and latent prints)

All materials are supplied.

MPOETC CLEE approved

Course Description

This comprehensive course on sexual assault investigations examines the critical components of investigating and prosecuting sexual assault cases. Participants will receive instruction on victim-centered interviewing techniques, child and elder sexual abuse investigations, ChildLine reporting and response, drug-facilitated sexual assaults, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) programs and evidence collection, forensic interviews and medical examinations of children, victim advocacy services, and human trafficking investigations.

The course will also address key legal and courtroom considerations, including search warrants, trial preparation, courtroom testimony, and emerging legal issues. Additional instruction will focus on interpreting ChildLine reports, understanding the requirements of the SAFER Act, and navigating the legal and procedural challenges commonly encountered in sexual assault investigations. This program is designed to provide investigators, prosecutors, and allied professionals with practical knowledge and best practices for conducting thorough, trauma-informed investigations.

‍ ‍-----------------

COURSE OUTLINE:

Day One: Sex Assault Investigations

Overview and Investigations

·       Statistics

·       Barriers to rape reporting

·       HIPPA

·       Other Investigative Techniques

·       Pre-text phone calls

Childlines

·       SAFER Act

·       Child and Elder Sex Assault

·       LEO vs CPS vs GPS ChildLines

 Sex Assault Evidence Collection Kits

·       What can a SANE do for you

·       Forensic Nursing

·       Evidence collection

·       Anonymous Report Kits

Day Two: Sex Assault Investigations

Child SA Investigative Assistance

·       Children Youth and Families, practice and protocol

·       Forensic Interviews

·       Physical Examinations

Human Trafficking

·       Human Trafficking task forces

·       How to respond, and how to collaborate with other agencies

Working with Victims 

·       Working with victim advocates and advocacy agencies

·       Shepherding the victim through the process

Drug Facilitated Sex Assaults

·       Case Studies

·       Toxicology

‍     ‍

Day Three:  Sex Assault Investigations

 Behavioral Oriented Interview

·       Working with victim advocates and advocacy agencies

·       Shepherding the victim through the process

Legal Issues 

·       Search Warrants

·       Charging and Criminal Complaints

·       Testifying and Courtroom procedure

·       Victim Testimony or Case Presentation

Violent Serial Rapist Case Presentation

‍

MPOETC CLEE approved

Course Description

This advanced forensic investigations course is designed for patrol officers, crime scene personnel, forensic practitioners, and detectives seeking to expand their expertise in specialized forensic disciplines. Over five days, participants will receive advanced instruction in latent print examination, bloodstain pattern analysis, fire and arson investigations, shooting scene reconstruction, advanced forensic photography, and death investigations.

The course emphasizes practical, hands-on learning through laboratory exercises, live demonstrations, case studies, and real-world scene processing scenarios. Participants will enhance fingerprints using chemical and physical processing methods, use chemical processing to enhance bloody fingerprints, conduct bloodstain pattern experiments, process a live-burn fire scene, reconstruct shooting incidents, and apply advanced forensic photography techniques using specialized equipment and lighting. The program concludes with instruction on forensic pathology, autopsy findings, and the medico-legal death investigation process, providing attendees with a comprehensive understanding of how forensic science supports criminal investigations from crime scene to courtroom.

The training will consist of five days:

Monday Advanced Latent Print

·         Of value vs. no value determination

Hands on practical in:

·         Enhancing prints in blood

·         Ninhydrin and porous surfaces

·         Cyanoacrylate (glue) fuming

·         Dye staining

Tuesday Bloodstain Pattern Analysis

·         Theoretical discussions

·         Physics and scientific principles

Hands-on Practical experiments using blood

·         Case studies

Wednesday Fire, Explosion, and Arson Scenes

·         Origin and Cause investigation

If the venue can support, we will complete an actual hands-on fire scene burn and scene processing

·         Evidence location and collection

·         Witness interviews

Thursday

Morning session: Shooting Scene Reconstruction

·   Detection, Documentation, and

·   Collection of ballistic

·   Hands –on scene reconstruction and determinations

Afternoon session: Advanced Forensic Photography

·   Advanced Forensic Photography

·   Use of filters: ND, Polarizing, etc

·   ISO

·   white balance

·   Advanced uses of flash EG: fill flash, bounce flash, oblique flash

Friday

Morning session: Advanced Death Investigation

•    Aquatic Deaths

•    Equivocal Death Investigations

Afternoon session: Forensic Pathology and Autopsy

•    Autopsy

•    Forensic Pathology and its potential determinations

•    Medico – Legal Death Investigation Process