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You can host a Sirchie Class at your location and we’ll send a Sirchie Instructor and everything needed to teach the same quality material and provide the same hands-on learning experience that you’d have at our Sirchie Training Facility. Hosting a class means you can have more of your agency attend training for a much lower cost. You’ll save on travel, lodging and food expenses, and your team will spend less time away from home.
Our Forensic Investigation Class provides law enforcement professionals and crime scene investigators with hands-on training using forensic tools that will help to execute the best crime scene investigation mission possible.
These new classes with modules are focused classes that quickly get into the core topics needed to process scenes. They teach how to use the forensic techniques to find evidence that may be missed if they were not used. The two modules are integrated with the core topics throughout the week. You select the two modules that are the most important to you.
This course includes a $200 value student training kit (see below).
Topics include:
Forensic Investigation:
- Overview of Crime Scene Processing & Management
- Crime Scene & Evidence Photography
- Latent Print Processing – Powders
- Latent Print Processing – Iodine Fuming
- Latent Print Processing – Specialized Techniques
- Firearms, Ballistics & Gun Shot Residue
- Alternate Light Sources
- Biological Evidence: Blood, Fluids, DNA
- Impression Evidence - Footprint & Tire Mark Evidence
Two Modules of Your Choice:
- Arson Investigation with Emphasis on Low-Light Photography
- Ballistics, Trajectory, GSR & Firearms
- Bloodstain Pattern: Photography & Documentation
- Chemical Development & Enhancement: Latent Fingerprints
- Death Investigation: Documenting & Collecting Key Evidence for Scene to Autopsy Investigation
- Impression Evidence: Identifying and Preserving Footwear, Tire Mark, & Toolmark Evidence
- Photography: Advanced Techniques Including ALS, UV & IR for Forensic Investigation
Training Modules:
Arson Investigation with Emphasis on Low-Light Photography
Arson scenes pose unique challenges to criminal investigators, CSIs, and arson investigators in that much or all of the pertinent physical evidence is damaged or destroyed by thermal effects and /or residual soot deposits. Imaging fire scenes challenge even the most talented photographer as reflected light is minimized and dark soot covered and burnt items are difficult to focus on and capture without understanding the exposure triangle and taking the camera out of Automatic Mode.
Without a basic understanding of how fire behaves the novice investigator may be overwhelmed at suspicious fire scenes. During this block of instruction attendees learn fire terminology, fire dynamics, and the basics of Origin & Cause investigations, so they can better interact with Certified Fire Investigators (CFI’s), understand fire investigation, how best to document findings via notes, sketches, and photographs, and how to properly collect arson evidence including control samples in either nylon-lined or unlined arson evidence containers. Attendees learn medicolegal death investigation terminology and common findings in fire scene decedents/victims. Attendees review and experience how to properly document an arson scene using low-light photographic techniques utilizing hands on exercises.
Ballistics, Trajectory, GSR & Firearms
Attendees receive instruction on the theory behind wound ballistics and the role that bullet mass, velocity, and kinetic energy play in creating temporary and permanent wound paths in tissue. Medicolegal death investigation terminology will be stressed during this block of instruction so the attendee can correctly evaluate reports prepared by firearms experts, forensic pathologists, and forensic laboratory examiner-experts.
Attendees learn proper terminology and methodology for the investigation of shooting incidents. Discussion of the use of gun shot reside tests as well as a practical exercise emphasizes the value of GSR to an investigation. Methods for determining projectile size and bullet trajectory from entry angle are reviewed through practical exercises that allow the investigator to add firearm information as well as shooters position to the crime scene evidence.
Bloodstain Pattern: Photography & Documentation
Homicides, shootings, and assault crime scenes can often contain blood spatters and other patterns. The ultimate goal of this module is to train crime scene investigators with no formal training in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis to be able to expertly document the bloodstain patterns commonly found in crime scenes. Attendees learn to recognize 14 different types of bloodstains/patterns and understand the mechanics and physics that cause these as related to the actions involved in the crime. Attendees learn how the blood pattern expert can link the patterns together to better determine what happened, how persons moved in the scene, and in what position they were in and why good documentation is so important.
Participants work in small groups, using techniques to search and identify blood using presumptive testing. Groups work together to thoroughly document the patterns found, building a documentation package that includes photography, measurements, and written reports. Everyone participates in all aspects of blood pattern documentation, resulting in building skills for future crime scenes.
Chemical Development & Enhancement: Latent Fingerprints
Latent prints at a crime scene are traditionally discovered with fingerprint powders, but not every surface allows this, and many times regardless of surface, powders are not the best technique. Porous surfaces absorb fingerprints, some surfaces are too slick or shiny to be processed well with powders, and sometimes substances on the surface can block development with powders.
In this module, attendees learn the development hierarchy for processing porous surfaces such as paper, enhancing the various types of prints: aminos acids, lipids, and salts. Superglue or cyanoacrylate is a common technique used on objects recovered from the scene, but many times imaging these prints can be difficult. Instruction for staining cyanoacrylate then using proper ALS lighting and filters with photography to properly capture good fingerprint images. In addition to these techniques, participants are also exposed to specialty development techniques based on surface contaminants such as oil.
Death Investigation: Documenting & Collecting Key Evidence for Scene to Autopsy Investigation
With only approximately 60% of the 20,000+ murders occurring annually being “solved”, and many times that number of equivocal deaths requiring an investigation by law enforcement, this module is designed to provide the necessary knowledge to resolve even the most complex death investigations, including child, elderly, asphyxia, fire, firearms, fall, crushing, thermal, high velocity, motor vehicle, and sharp and blunt force deaths.
Attendees receive a block of instruction on forensic pathology, the Coroner and Medical Examiner Systems, manner, cause, and mechanism of death. Autopsy and medicolegal death terminology are explained including nuances between a laceration and incise wound, various blunt force trauma including differing types of fractures, and common causes for each type of wound. Firearms injuries are explored and explained including the differences in distances that can help determine whether a witness’s account is truthful or not. Time of death and post-mortem interval and other forensic concepts are discussed throughout the course. Forensic anthropology and entomology instruction are included as it pertains to identification of found remains, skeletal trauma identification, grave recovery, and what insect activity must be observed and documented for a proper review by the forensic anthropologist and entomologist.
Impression Evidence: Identifying and Preserving Footwear, Tire Mark, & Toolmark Evidence
Perpetrators are frequently aware of fingerprint and DNA evidence, and they wear gloves and facial/head coverings to avoid leaving this evidence. At the same time, they almost always walk through the crime scene leaving footwear impressions at the scene, and when they leave, they take and keep their footwear evidence with them. This presents a special opportunity and challenge to crime scene examiners to find and preserve the latent impression evidence remaining at the scene.
Attendees learn procedures to discover, enhance, and capture footprint, footwear, and tire mark evidence using various tools and photography. They learn to identify class and individual characteristics present in footwear and tire mark evidence and how it ties the perpetrator/vehicle to the scene. Through practical exercises, footprint capture with powder, electrostatic dust print lifting, and casting are experienced. The module also explores advanced techniques, such as casting in a water, snow, and on unusual surfaces. In addition to footprints and tire marks, attendees learn about toolmark evidence, often found on breaking and enterings, including casting techniques.
Photography: Advanced Techniques Including ALS, UV & IR for Forensic Investigation
Photography is used to document most crime scenes today, yet only the most basic techniques are sometimes utilized missing possible key evidence or not providing the true story of the crime scene or evidence. Moving beyond this, attendees of this instruction module learn how to properly document in the preferred – manual mode, and learn to control the exposure triangle in various situations using techniques that reveal evidence once hidden. Utilizing the triangle, dark scenes, shadows, and bright ambient light can all be overcome with specific techniques to show the scene as the investigator sees it.
Attendees through hands-on exercises using DSLR cameras and various lenses combined with filters explore various lighting possibilities, using a variety of alternate light sources and filters to build contrast and reveal pattern evidence. Light sources outside the visible spectrum, such as ultra-violet and infrared, reveal body fluids and pattern evidence of gun shot residue and bodily fluids not visible to the naked eye. The camera is shown to be a tool to gather much more evidence than can be seen or documented with any other method.
Each student will receive a kit to use during hands-on exercises, and to keep.
OST250KIT Contents:
1- Perforated Notepad, 8 1/2” x 11”
1- Biofoam Impression Kit
5- Tissue Paper, #15 weight
1- Blood Evidence on Plywood
1- PIC001 Photo Scale/ID Card, 8 1/2” x 11”
1- Crime Scene Documentation Forms
2- 131WL1 Hinge Lifter, 2” x 4”, white
6- FC343 Reversible Backing Cards, 3” x 5”
2- Orange Evidence Marking Pointers
1- 101L Silk Black Fingerprint Powder, 2 oz.
1- 107L Copper Fingerprint Powder, 2 oz.
1- SB201L Silver/Black Fingerprint Powder, 2 oz.
1- M114L Black Magnetic Fingerprint Powder, 1 oz.
3- 122L Standard Fiberglass Brush
1- 123LW Marabou Feather Brush, white
1- 125L Magnetic Powder Applicator
1- 127LW Rubber/GEL Lifters, 2” x 4”, white, 12 ea.
1- 145L 1.5” Frosted Lifting Tape
4- Index cards, 3” x 5”
1- SBQ100 Fingerprint Lifting Squeegee
1- SNR100K Serial Number Restoration Kit
1- PPS800 Forensic L-Scale, 105mm x 105mm
1- PPS600 Reversible Forensic L-Scale, 300mm x 150mm
1- LTF200PR Zero Edge Protractor
1- Hemastix Blood ID Reagent Strips, 10 ea.
1- Toothbrush
1- Ballpoint Pen, black ink
1- #2 Pencil
2- Cotton Balls
2- Ziptop Bag, 9” x 12”
1- Orange Acrylic Square, 4” x 4”
1- 379M Attached case Magnifier
3- SDM100E Disposable Evidence Markers, inches
2- Wooden Paint Stirrers
3- Terry Cloth Towel
6- Cotton-Tipped Swabs
1- GLT101W GELifters, 5.2” x 7.2”, white, 10 each
1- HCB1002 Hard-Core Dental Stone, 2 lbs.
1- KCP247C Sterile Water, 3ml vial
1- OSTBK100 Blood Evidence Samples on paper
5- PBID1005 Blood ID Tests, Kastle Meyer Reagent
1- PBID2001 Blood ID Tests, McPhail’s Reagent
1- PSID1001 Seminal Fluid ID Test
Hosted Training Benefits
- Receive same course material and same hands-on experience
- Tailor the course to your department’s specific needs
- Save money on travel, lodging and food
- Open training up to other local departments and strengthen relationships, improve communications and build goodwill
Registration Requirements
- Minimum requirement for an on-site training class is 18 students
- The host department is required to register a minimum of 2 students
- Register through Sirchie’s website or through Sirchie’s Sales Department
- Host Department will receive 1 free student for hosting after minimum requirement of 18 students have registered
Bring the best of Sirchie training to your region!
Whether you host at your department or invite other agencies in your area, we will provide all the resources you need for your class. Contact us at training@sirchie.com or (800) 356-7311.