Training
General:
Introduction to Crime Scene Investigation and Documentation – 24 hour
- This 24-hour course is designed to introduce the basic concepts of crime scene investigation to individuals new to the field. This course can also be used as a refresher or as a way of learning new skills to add to a crime scene investigation repertoire of tools. This course covers topics such as crime scene safety, and crime scene security. One of the primary focus areas of this course is crime scene documentation: development of sound note taking skills, basic forensic photography, crime scene searches, and measurement techniques. This course defines evidence, evidence identification, documentation, collection, and preservation. Basic power latent fingerprint development applications are covered as well.
New!!
Introduction to Bloodstain Pattern Evidence Documentation in Crime Scenes – 8 hour New!!
- This 8-hour course focuses on the photographic, sketch, and note taking methods that are required to properly document bloodstain evidence at crime scenes.
Introduction to Bloodstain Pattern Evidence – 24 hour
- This 24-hour course is designed to introduce the basic concepts of bloodstain pattern evidence to individuals new to the field. This course can also be used as a refresher or as a way of learning new skills to add to a crime scene investigation and/or bloodstain pattern evidence analysis repertoire of tools. The focus of this course is: the composition of blood, using blood to determine time-lines, the size and shape of bloodstains, target surface characteristics considerations, and the determination of blood in volumes, impact spatter (low, medium, and high velocity events). This course will introduce the concepts of projected blood, transferred blood, and bloodstains related to the body as well (i.e. bruises, impressions from weapons, etc).
Traditional and Non-traditional Bloodstain Pattern Evidence Reconstruction – 24 hour
**Pre-requisite Minimum 40-Hour Bloodstain Course
- This 24-hour course is designed to introduce the concepts of traditional and non-traditional bloodstain pattern evidence reconstruction to individuals who are currently working in the field of bloodstain pattern evidence analysis and/or have a working knowledge of bloodstain pattern evidence analysis. A prerequisite forty-hour course in Bloodstain Pattern Evidence Analysis is required to register for this course due to terminology used throughout the course and towards learning outcomes. This course can also be used as a refresher or as a way of learning new skills to add to a bloodstain pattern evidence analysis repertoire of tools. This course focuses on the stringing technique, stringing with lasers, flat line lasers, and reconstructing bloodstain patterns within shooting incidents using the Tubular Dowel Crime Scene Reconstruction Kit.
Crime Scene Preservation for Mounted Units/Search and Rescue Dogs and their Handlers (Sworn and Volunteer) – 8 hour
- This is an “upon-special-request” mobile, Crime Scene Preservation course specialized for Mounted Police and Mounted Patrol Units. (Ms. Pettler has been a life-long “classical dressage horse-person.”) This is a course is modeled after a course we presented after Katrina in February 2006 to 60 Horses and Riders in LA in preparation to assist the New Orleans Police Department.
Crime Scene Reconstruction Curriculum Series:
Below are the recommended courses Carolina Forensics advocates for towards becoming competent in (a) the fundamental principles and application of crime scene reconstruction, (b) the analytical work and comprehension required for synthesizing each piece of the puzzle into a reconstruction effectively and appropriately, and (c) specific types of crime scene reconstruction such as shooting incident reconstruction and bloodstain evidence reconstruction. (*Series available beginning in January 2011, booking now.)
Introduction to Crime Scene Reconstruction – 8 hours
- This 8-hour course is designed to introduce the concepts of crime scene reconstruction to individuals new to the topic. This course can also be used as a refresher or as a way of learning new skills to add to a crime scene reconstruction repertoire of tools. This course covers: What is crime scene reconstruction?; History of crime scene reconstruction; The Scientific Method; Principles of crime scene reconstruction; Required components of crime scene reconstruction; Documentation Analytical Methodology; Equipment for crime scene reconstruction; Why use crime scene reconstruction?; Successful application of the principles of crime scene reconstruction; This course will also discuss the current research, the NAS Report findings, recommendations and related position statements.
Fundamental Analysis of the Pieces of Crime Scene Reconstruction and Behavioral Evidence – 16 hours
**Pre-requisite Minimum Introduction to Crime Scene Reconstruction
- This 16-hour course is designed to introduce the concepts of crime scene reconstruction to individuals new to the topic. This course can also be used as a refresher or as a way of learning new skills to add to a crime scene reconstruction repertoire of tools. Course Focus: What is crime scene reconstruction? History of crime scene reconstruction; Principles of crime scene reconstruction; Required components of crime scene reconstruction; Documentation Analytical Methodology; Equipment for crime scene reconstruction; Why use crime scene reconstruction?; Successful application of the principles of crime scene reconstruction. This course will also discuss the current research, the NAS Report findings, recommendations and related position statements.
Introduction to Bloodstain Pattern Evidence – 24 hours
- This 24-hour course is designed to introduce the basic concepts of bloodstain pattern evidence to individuals new to the field. This course can also be used as a refresher or as a way of learning new skills to add to a crime scene investigation and/or bloodstain pattern evidence analysis repertoire of tools. The focus of this course is: the composition of blood, using blood to determine timelines, the size and shape of bloodstains, target surface characteristics considerations, and the determination of blood in volumes, impact spatter (low, medium, and high velocity events). This course will introduce the concepts of projected blood, transferred blood, and bloodstains related to the body as well (i.e. bruises, impressions from weapons, etc).
Introduction to Shooting Incident Reconstruction – 16 hours
**Pre-requisite Minimum Introduction to Crime Scene Reconstruction
- This 16-hour course is designed to introduce the concepts of shooting incident reconstruction to individuals new to the topic. This course can also be used as a refresher or as a way of learning new skills to add to a shooting incident reconstruction repertoire of tools. This course covers: What is shooting incident reconstruction?; Firearms and Ammunition; Principles of shooting reconstruction; Required components of shooting incident reconstruction; Documentation Analytical Methodology (The Scientific Method); Necessary and optional equipment for shooting reconstruction; When to reconstruct and when not to reconstruct; trajectories, bullet and wound tracks; the NAS Report findings and suggestions; Successful application of the principles of crime scene reconstruction.
Shooting Incident Reconstruction with Tubular Dowels – 16 hours
**Pre-requisite Minimum Introduction to Crime Scene Reconstruction
**Pre-requisite Minimum Introduction to Shooting Incident Reconstruction
- This 16-hour course is designed to provide a combination of lecture and hands-on exercises to learn to how to properly apply the principles of basic shooting incident reconstruction using the Tubular Dowel Crime Scene Reconstruction Kit, Tubular Dowel for Vehicles Kit, Forensic Mannequins (when available), styro-foam heads, and/or other replicas. This course can also be used as a refresher or as a way of learning new skills to add to a shooting incident reconstruction repertoire of tools. This course covers an overview of shooting incident reconstruction principles and methodologies, current research, the NAS Report findings, recommendations, and related position statements. Practical exercises can include (not all may be available for every course situation in every location) interior shootings in small spaces, interior shootings in large spaces, and shootings in vehicles.
Domestic Violence and Uxoricide (Domestic Violence Homicide):
Introduction to Crime Scene Staging, Research, and Literature – 8 hours
- Crime scene staging is “the purposeful alteration of a crime or crime scene in an attempt to mislead investigators and frustrate the criminal justice process” (Hazelwood & Napier, 2004, p. 745). The problem of crime scene staging is complex. While substantial research has been conducted to develop models and typologies of crime scene behaviors of serial homicide crimes, a problem for forensic professionals is that very little empirical research exists that has analyzed crime scene behaviors in staged homicide cases. Staged crime scenes could be on the rise due to the influx of crime scene investigation related shows where offenders think they are learning what a crime scene should look like. Countless man-hours and financial resources are could be being wasted by law enforcement agencies across the United States pursing staged evidence. Further, expert witnesses who are called to testify on evidence recovered from staged crime scenes have virtually no empirical evidence to substantiate their claims that offenders really do stage crime scenes. The purpose of this course is to discuss crime scene staging, published research and literature, and the future of the Model of the Crime Scene Stager.
Introduction to Domestic Violence – 16 hours
- This 16-hour course is designed to introduce the concepts of domestic violence to individuals new to the topic. This course can also be used as a refresher or as a way of learning new skills to add to a domestic violence and domestic violence investigation repertoire of tools. Course Focus: What is domestic violence?; Who are the victims?; What causes domestic violence?; Does alcohol and/or drugs play a role in domestic violence (research and literature)?; Lethality factors of Domestic Violence; and other related topics.
Introduction to Uxoricide and Crime Scene Staging (Domestic Violence Homicide) – 16 hour
- Uxoricide can be defined as the act of a husband murdering his wife. Domestic homicide makes up a large percentage of homicides today. This lecture focuses on key elements in determining homicide, accident, or suicide via crime scene staging and other activity. Case studies in which various defendants’ claims were disproven through accurate crime scene investigation, reconstruction, and bloodstain pattern analysis will be incorporated.
Crime Scene Staging Detection Methodology – 8 hours
- This 8-hour course is designed to introduce the concepts of crime scene staging and detection to individuals new to the topic. This course can also be used as a refresher or as a way of learning new skills to add to a crime scene staging and detection repertoire of tools. Course Focus: What is crime scene staging?; What methods have been suggested for detection?; Overview of crime scene reconstruction and methodology; Why use crime scene reconstruction? Successful application of crime scene reconstruction to unravel the staged crime scene.
Evidence Based Domestic Violence Prosecution – 24 hours
- This 24-hour course focuses on why Domestic Violence is a deep rooted problem in our communities. Often,we do not understand why victims stay. More importantly, we do not understand why batterers batter. This class explores the problem of DV, why batterers batter,why victims stay and how we can address DV and prevent homicides in our communities.
Click Here for a complete list of courses offered by District Attorney Michael Parker
References:
Hazelwood, R. R., & Napier, M. R. (2004). Crime scene staging and its detection. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 48(6), 744-759. doi: 10.1177/0306624X04268298
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Here is what people are saying about Shooting Incident Documentation and Reconstruction with Tubular Dowels Class!!!
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“Great class overall, just wish we had more time to do more practical exercises. Good content and materials and very well organized. Can’t wait for another one of their classes!”
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“Inventive, thought-provoking exercises used to highlight important issues.”
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“This course is an excellent foundation for continued training in the future. Ms. Pettler is very knowledgeable and the course was taught in a clear and concise manner.”
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“I enjoyed the teaching techniques and skills and will benefit from the knowledge passed on. Thank you.”
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“Very informative. The information was very necessary and I truly appreciated everything.”
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“Very knowledgeable. Lots of good ideas. I wish I had someone like the instructors in my dept.”
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“I think she is very knowledgeable. She has a passion for her job and it shows when she teaches. I really enjoyed the class.”
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