Processing homicide crime scenes

Training Goals and Objectives

Correctly processing the crime scene is absolutely essential to any Homicide investigation. The techniques used in handling a Homicide Scene are applicable to all crime scenes. The complexities of Homicide cases ensures that those completing this course will be skilled in the management of any type of crime scene.

This 3-day course is designed to provide the novice homicide detective, and crime scene investigators with guidelines for processing homicide crime scenes. Included in this course, will be the management of victims, suspects, and motor vehicles associated with an investigation. This class is tailored to provide the investigator with a fundamental, yet necessary understanding of crime scene processing concepts, theories, protocols, and techniques. Training will also include tips on systematic and organized processing methodology that will ensure that all tasks and goals of scene processing are achieved.

Course objectives:

Understand, recognize and preserve, document physical evidence
Become familiar with the forensic and probative value of physical evidence
Create and maintain case files suitable for court presentation and trial
Be able to properly document a crime scene
Develop a processing strategy
Become familiar with crime scene processing concepts

Topics Include, but not limited to:

Crime Scene Theory
Crime Scene Management and Security
Understanding physical evidence
Evidence recognition
Forensic Databases
Crime Scene Documentation Measures and Methodology
Crime Scene Photography Techniques
Crime Scene Videography techniques
Note- Taking
Sketching/ measuring Techniques
Wound/ Injury photography
Proper Evidence Collection/ Packaging
Processing and documenting victims and injuries
Processing the suspect
Processing Motor-vehicles
Autopsy Protocols
How to process different types of Homicide Scenes
Shootings
Stabbings
Sex-related crimes
Auto-Erotica
Asphyxia/ Strangulation
Infant Death Syndrome( SIDS and Child Abuse)

Training Audience, Format and Content

This course is intended for crime scene investigators newly-assigned to homicide duties; however, since the forensic techniques covered will apply to the processing of all crime scenes (including suicides, shootings, stabbings, batteries, assaults, robberies, burglaries, etc.) all Crime Scene Technicians and investigators will benefit from this training.

Instruction is provided through lecture, hand-outs, discussion, power point, and case studies. To conclude, the student will have the opportunity to apply what they have learned to a crime scene scenario and group exercise.

Day One:

Crime Scene Safety
Crime Scene Security
Responsibilities of the First Responding Officer
Crime Scene Theory
Overview of Biological/ Physical Evidence
Forensic Databases
Evidence Preservation & Packaging

Day Two:

Crime Scene documentation
Photography techniques
Videography Techniques
Note-Taking
Sketching & Measuring
Processing the Homicide Crime Scene
Shooting
Stabbings
Sex Related
Asphyxiation/ Strangulation
Infant Deaths
Management of Suspects
Processing Victims
Autopsies
Processing Motor Vehicles

Day Three:

Crime Scene Processing, Sequence & Methodology
Crime Scene Scenario & Group Exercises

Equipment Needed

Although not designed to be a practical course, it will enable students to demonstrate what they have learned through an interactive/joint crime scene exercise. Attendees do not need to bring any equipment other than writing tools and note paper.

Students should be forewarned that the content of this course contains numerous death scene photographs that are highly graphic and intense. Due to the sensitive nature of this material, attendance is restricted to sworn law enforcement personnel, or those directly involved in the criminal justice system.