This is a 40 hour Advanced Shooting Analysis & Reconstrucction Course offered by Highlands Forensics and hosted by the St. John's County Sheriff's Office the week of February 3, 2025 through February February 7, 2025.
This course will pick up where a basic SIR course ends by providing instruction on topics concerned with the actual process of performing a shooting scene reconstruction which will involve working groups of attendees processing a motor vehicle shooting scene and being given an actual shooting case for each group to reconstruct the shooting scene ultimately preparing a PowerPoint presentation of their findings.
All materials will be provided by the host and Highlands. The only attendee requirement is a laptop with Microsoft Word and PowerPoint. more info...
Are your crime scene photos telling the story clearly?
Crime scene photography is crucial, but it doesn’t have to be intimidating. Whether you’re new to crime scene photography or have been using your camera on “auto” mode for years, this webinar is designed to help you take clear, accurate, and professional-quality photos every time.
In this webinar, you will:
Learn the fundamentals of crime scene photography in a simple, non-technical way.
Understand key photography concepts like depth of field, exposure, and more.
See how small adjustments can make a big difference in the clarity of your photos.
Discover how to capture critical evidence and context that will stand up in court.
Get practical, real-world tips to share with your team.
Bring your camera and follow along! We’ll break down the technical barriers, and you’ll immediately see the difference as we practice with real-life examples.
Join us for three days of hands-on training focused on the search, documentation, and recovery of buried and surface scattered human remains. This training will include the following topics:
Introduction to Forensic
Anthropology
Human versus Non-Human
Bone Identification
Human Osteology
Postmortem Modification to
Human Remains
Recovery of Surface Scattered
Skeletal Remains
Recovery of Buried Human Remains
This class is IAI Crime Scene and ABMDI certification approved. more info...
This course will cover how to approach a cold case investigation by explaining ideas for how to review and dissect investigative supplemental reports, which includes reviewing the crime scene from reports and photographs. Additionally, with today’s technological advancements in DNA and other forensic opportunities (such as genetic genealogy and the M-Vac System). We will also discuss things to look for that may result in positive outcomes from scientific examinations. The course will also cover working with prosecutors and medical examiners on how to discuss the investigation, and how to work together for a successful prosecution. more info...
This course will provide you with in-depth instruction of the processes and techniques that apply to all aspects of criminal investigations, from the initial response to the scene to the final courtroom presentation.
You will learn methods to investigate property crimes up to violent crimes against persons. We'll show you how to properly locate and document the physical evidence to aid in your investigative efforts. Techniques for interviewing witnesses, victims and suspects will be covered. You will also learn about networks and databases that can assist you in the investigative process.
During the course, we will teach you how to perform basic investigative duties and prepare you for future, more specialized training.
Crimes against persons: sex crimes, robberies, death investigations
Use of DNA and social media
Electronic evidence: cell phones, cell sites, geo-fencing, Wi-Fi downloads, and more
Case reporting and documentation
Sources of intelligence
Audience
Patrol officers, newly assigned and seasoned detectives, investigations supervisors, crime scene technicians, medical examiner and coroner investigators, military investigative personnel, and non-sworn personnel who must effectively interact with sworn officers
This course is restricted to active sworn and non-sworn law enforcement and medical examiner personnel.
This course was created to build confidence in your ability to work through processing a crime scene from receiving a request for processing to testifying on the witness stand. Techniques and information are provided not only through presentations, but hands-on training and real case examples. Instructors will cover a broad range of topics with emphasis given to recognizing, documenting, collecting, preserving, processing, and analyzing physical evidence. Investigators, crime scene technicians, and agency personnel who investigate crime scenes will all benefit from this course.
We will pay particular attention to the interpretation of discovered evidence, its value within the scene, and usefulness in solving the crime. You will participate in exercises that will give you experience in latent print development techniques and using light energy to process a scene. You will also learn how to interpret bloodstain patterns and use chemical enhancement methods. Courtroom procedures and information for presenting crime scene evidence will also be discussed.
Topics Include
Discussion of specific evidence-related scenes ranging from simple property crimes to crimes against persons
Photography procedures for scene documentation
DNA and where to find it and collect it
Latent print development techniques
Alternative light sources – processing scenes and related evidence with light energy
From the time evidence is collected, through the presentation of evidence in the courtroom, to the final disposition and disposal, this course will provide you with all the information you need to maintain the security and integrity of your department's property and evidence. You will learn how to properly document, inventory, control, dispose of and purge property and evidence of all types.
Lectures will focus on the physical security of the property/evidence room as well as the legal issues pertaining to the operation of such facilities. OSHA requirements and regulations will be discussed and storage solutions for the evidence room will be explored. You will learn about the special considerations surrounding hazardous, bio-hazardous, and other special risk items as well as preferred procedures for packaging the evidence for storage and submission for testing.
Topics Include
Physical security of property and evidence rooms
Policies and procedures relating to the evidence function
Legal issues pertaining to the operation of evidence facilities
Evidence packaging for storage and submission for testing
Evidence integrity
Computerization of property and evidence rooms
Narcotics destruction - burn procedures and certification
Bio-hazardous evidence storage and destruction
OSHA requirements and regulations
Personal safety issues
Storage solutions
Audience
Sworn law enforcement officers, as well as non-sworn property and evidence custodians and supervisors responsible for overseeing their departments’ property and evidence facilities
Join us for an informative and hands-on webinar where you’ll learn how to take your crime scene photography to the next level. Whether you’re shooting in dimly lit rooms or capturing the fullness of a night scene, this session will provide you with the essential tools and techniques to enhance your skills as a photographer.
In this webinar you’ll learn:
The Exposure Triangle Simplified: A brief overview of Aperture, Shutter Speed, and ISO and how to balance them effectively.
Mastering Manual Mode: My top 5 tips for choosing and adjusting the perfect settings when shooting in manual mode.
Stop Camera Shake: Learn the importance of using a tripod for low light and nighttime photography to eliminate blur.
Metering & Focusing in Low Light: How to properly meter your shots and focus accurately even when the light is low.
Creative Lighting Techniques: Use flash and additional light sources to ‘paint with light’ or fill in shadows in mixed lighting conditions.
In this fast-paced course, you will learn processes and techniques that apply specifically to crimes against children. From the initial call to the courtroom, you’ll receive an in-depth analysis of investigative methodologies you can use to solve these crimes.
We will examine the persistent patterns of behavior of the seven types child molesters and teach you effective techniques for interviewing these criminals. We will also help you develop the skills needed to conduct forensic interviews of child victims and witnesses.
Using case studies, we will introduce you to the different classifications of evidence and how each applies to your investigation. You will learn how to prepare an expert search and seizure warrant for a preferential child molester to include seizing child pornography, child erotica, DNA and computer evidence.
Finally, we will discuss the criteria for amber alerts and the importance of the initial response to a child abduction. You will learn how to develop a Child Abduction Response Team (CART)–a multidiscipline, multijurisdictional team of experts–and how it can greatly improve your ability to recover a missing child.
Topics Include
Definitions and diagnostic criteria for the DSM-5
Patterns, behaviors and characteristics of offenders
Pedophilia and offender
Investigative and interviewing techniques
Preparing an expert search and seizure warrant
Emerging investigative strategies
Forensic interviews of a child
Understanding predatory behaviors
Developing a Child Abduction Response Team (CART)
Prerequisite(s)
It is recommended, but not mandatory, that you have completed a basic investigations course or have the knowledge of proven investigative techniques necessary to investigate most crimes against children cases.
Audience
Patrol officers, newly assigned and seasoned detectives, investigations supervisors, crime scene technicians, military investigative personnel, non-sworn personnel who participate in investigations, and prosecutor’s office personnel who investigate and prosecute crimes against children
This class is restricted to active sworn and non-sworn law enforcement, investigators, and prosecuting attorneys employed by governmental agencies.
Course Description:
This comprehensive 40-hour course is designed for crime scene investigators, detectives, crime laboratory analysts and others in the field of forensic science that need the basic training and techniques for the buried body or surface skeleton crime scene examination and recovery. This course will assist you in connecting all of the forensic pieces for the purpose of crime
scene reconstruction. Mock scenes for this course are designed to assist the student in the importance of scene documentation and to obtain the maximum correct information for the ultimate crime scene reconstruction of both surface skeleton cases and more complex buried human cases. Attendees will be assigned to a crime scene team and will be responsible for the entire scene investigation with a presentation of their findings on the final class day. The teams will be graded on the amount of physical evidence (clues) they recover from their scenes. The attendees will have a working knowledge of the techniques required to examine a surface skeleton and a buried body crime scene to include: protocols, potential physical evidence
awareness, equipment needs, bone identification & inventory, preservation of human remains procedures, search & documentation techniques as well as courtroom case presentation experience.
Course Topics:
âPlanning, Management & Equipment for Grave Sites
â Scene Security & Search Techniques
â Excavation Techniques: Collection & Preservation of Remains
â Victim(s) Identification: Race, Stature, Age & Sex
â Time of Death Estimation
& Cause of Death Determination
â Crime Scene Documentation: Photography & Video
â Note Taking, Report Writing & Expert Testimony more info...
This course focuses on the effective and efficient management of detective unit personnel, procedures, and investigations in order to improve organizational processes and increase clearance and arrest rates.
The objectives of this program are two-fold: one addresses the administrative requirements for managing the criminal investigative process; the other focuses on managing the operations of the investigative unit. We will examine several strategies, policies, and forms that are designed to make the management of the investigative unit more effective. You will learn efficient and productive techniques and systems enabling you to better control personnel, paper flow and daily job routines.
Topics Include
Organization of the detective unit
Manpower allocation in the detective unit
Detective supervisory considerations
Distributing workloads and case assignments
Investigative filing
Case review and management systems
Evaluating performance of investigative personnel
Managing the investigative marginal performer
Intergenerational management issues
Supervisory and command leadership
Audience
Sworn law enforcement personnel, new detective unit supervisors or commanders, veteran supervisors given an investigative command assignment, patrol supervisors who aspire to a position in command of an investigative unit.
This course is restricted to sworn and non-sworn law enforcement personnel.
Whether you are the first responder or the lead investigator, this course will give you the knowledge and skills to thoroughly and professionally investigate any possible homicide situation.
We will show you the various types of homicides that you may encounter and common approaches to each. You will learn a systematic process for handling the crime scene, from the initial approach through scene documentation and evidence collection. And, you’ll see how the latest technology and forensic sciences can assist you in your investigation.
Beyond the crime scene, you’ll also learn about criminal profiling, interrogation techniques and how to handle the news media’s involvement.
Topics Include
Death scene preservation
Duties of the first officer on the scene
Investigative procedures at the death scene
Team approach to death investigations
Autoerotic death investigations
Causes and manner of death
Time of death determination
Criminal personality profiling
Organized vs. disorganized crime scenes
Death scene search techniques
Handling the news media in death investigations
Suicide investigations
Homicide interrogation techniques
Audience
Patrol officers, newly assigned and seasoned detectives, investigations supervisors, crime scene technicians, medical examiner and coroner investigators, military investigative personnel
Class is restricted to sworn law enforcement officers and those personnel assigned directly to law enforcement agencies.
Designed for experienced investigators and crime scene technicians, this advanced course teaches the use of scientific methods, evidence analysis and deductive reasoning in determining the series of events in a crime and accurately reconstructing the resulting crime scene.
We will show you time proven techniques and the procedures to follow in reconstructing a variety of different incidents within a scene, from the identification and analysis of the evidence to the documentation and presentation of your findings.
As part of the course, you will participate in practical exercises designed to strengthen your knowledge in areas such as bloodstain pattern analysis, pattern evidence and gunshot trajectory reconstruction. You will participate in useful testing and experimentation involving evidence, to include a live fire shooting of a vehicle at the range. In addition, you will learn how to determine the degree of certainty in your findings.
To successfully complete the course, you will work with several actual case studies, completing the reconstruction of the crime scenes and presenting your findings to the class.
Topics Include
Sources of information and evidence
Dynamics of the reconstruction process
Bloodstain pattern analysis
The reconstruction model
Pattern evidence and analysis
Trajectory reconstruction
Courtroom testimony and Daubert hearing preparation
Reconstruction procedures
Audience
Experienced investigators and crime scene technicians, seasoned detectives, investigations supervisors, medical examiner and coroner investigators, and military investigative personnel
This course is restricted to active sworn and non-sworn law enforcement and medical examiner personnel.
This course will further enhance the skills you acquired in IPTM's Homicide Investigation course and supply you with the knowledge and abilities to handle even the most challenging homicide investigations.
You will learn how to organize a complex homicide investigation and how to apply advanced forensic techniques to the case. We will discuss criminal profiling and abnormal psychology and you will learn specific interrogation techniques to use on the suspects.
Lectures during the course will be held to a minimum. Instead, emphasis will be placed on practical exercises. You will be provided the opportunity to apply the skills you have acquired while studying complex homicide cases presented by the instructors.
Patrol officers, newly assigned and seasoned detectives, investigations supervisors, crime scene technicians, medical examiner and coroner investigators, military investigative personnel
This class is restricted to sworn law enforcement officers and those personnel assigned directly to law enforcement agencies.
This truly practical course will provide you with the skills to gain high quality information from individuals, no matter what their status might be in the investigation.
Topics Include
The verbal communication process
Witness memory enhancement
Flow of information
Interviewing process
Kinesics interview techniques
Detecting deception
Videotaping and recording interrogations
Interview of rape victims
Interview of child witnesses and victims
Criminal personality profiling for interviews
The effective interrogator
Legal aspects
Psychology of interrogations
The first three topics will stress the methods you can employ to establish rapport, improve feedback and become more discerning through efficient listening. An examination of the interviewing process will give you a structured interview to expand your ability to obtain accurate information and detect deception.
Through criminal personality profiling, you will be able to more accurately determine the personality type you are confronting and some of the interviewing techniques best suited to elicit information from that individual.
This course focuses on skill development and will enhance your ability to conduct effective interviews and interrogations.
Audience
Patrol officers, newly assigned and seasoned detectives, investigations supervisors, crime scene technicians, medical examiner and coroner investigators and military investigative personnel
This class is restricted to sworn law enforcement officers and those personnel assigned directly to law enforcement agencies.
To successfully solve violent, sexually motivated crimes, you need to be aware of the criminal personality you are confronting. You also need to be aware of the special investigative skills that are needed to manage and investigate these cases, as well as the proper evidence needed for prosecution.
This course will cover basic and advanced investigative concepts and provide you with the knowledge and skills of an effective sex crime investigator. Students will engage in an in-depth study of the lust murderer, the pedophile, the child molester and the rapist. We will also explore the psychology of the sex offender, as well as the victim, and explain the role physical evidence and the medical examiner’s findings play in the successful investigation and prosecution of these cases.
As these cases are often sensitive in nature, you’ll also learn the principles of victimology in sexual assaults and how to best deal with the victims’ psychological problems. We’ll examine the latest proven techniques for interviewing both adult and child victims suffering the after effects of such a traumatic experience.
Topics Include
Overview of sexually motivated crimes
The pedophile vs. the child molester
The criminal mind and abnormal psychology
Paraphilia and erotosexual dysfunction
Exploitation of children, child pornography and sex rings
Behavioral and personality traits of rapists
Physical evidence in sex crimes
Serial and lust murders
Autoerotic and equivocal death investigations
Crime scene profiling
Audience
Newly assigned and seasoned detectives, investigations supervisors, crime scene technicians, medical examiner and coroner investigators, prosecutors and military investigative personnel
This class is restricted to sworn law enforcement officers and those personnel assigned directly to law enforcement agencies.
Bloodstain pattern interpretation can play an important role in determining what happened at a crime scene. This intensive “hands-on” course will arm you with the skills to identify, analyze, document, and collect bloodstained evidence.
Through a variety of practical exercises, we will teach you how a bloodstain pattern is created and the physical mechanics involved. You will learn the various types of patterns that may be encountered and methods for determining their directionality and angles of impact on different surface textures. Together with an analysis of the evidence, you will see how to separate the patterns into events and determine the probable sequence in which they occurred.
We will also discuss the proper methods of photographing and documenting bloodstain patterns along with the proper handling and packaging of bloodstained evidence.
Topics Include
Origin of bloodstain patterns
Identification of stains and patterns
Collection and preservation of bloodstain evidence
Photography and documentation techniques
Interpretation of bloodstain patterns
Pattern analysis in scene reconstruction
Case preparation and presentation
Audience
Patrol officers, newly assigned and seasoned detectives, investigations supervisors, crime scene technicians, medical examiner and coroner investigators, military investigative personnel and prosecuting attorneys
This class is restricted to active sworn and non-sworn law enforcement, investigators, and prosecuting attorneys employed by governmental agencies.
Economic crimes have become the fastest growing and costliest crimes in the U.S. in recent years. Frauds are also one of the most difficult to understand and investigate. This updated course explains the complexities of fraud investigations and arms you with a systematic approach and specific techniques for handling a wide range of financial and consumer fraud-related crimes. It relies heavily on student interaction, case studies, and practical scenarios to help increase your understanding of the ever-changing nature of these investigations.
Our goal is to provide you with current information effecting Economic Crimes Investigators with different levels of training and experience. Topics range from simple check fraud and credit card fraud to identity theft and major offenses like embezzlement, internet scams, and Ponzi schemes. In addition, you will learn current trends involving electronic fund transfers and cryptocurrency, as well as how to investigate these crimes. We will show you how to handle the day-to-day issues with conducting these investigations. These issues include how to determine the appropriate jurisdiction for cases, which cases are civil or criminal, and reviews a variety of investigative resources to assist the students with their investigations. We will also provide you with receive recent examples of a variety of legal processes needed to conduct these investigations.
Topics Include
Introduction into Economic Crimes:
Triaging cases
Determining civil vs. criminal
Jurisdictional issues
Case management
Subpoenas, search warrants and court orders
Resources
Legal process
Classifying and investigating the different types of fraud:
Check fraud
Credit/debit card fraud
Identify theft
Internet/computer crimes
Embezzlement
Ponzi/pyramid schemes
Money laundering
Racketeering
EFT’s/cryptocurrency
Audience
Patrol officers, criminal investigators, and economic crimes unit personnel who are responsible for conducting fraud investigations
This course is restricted to sworn and non-sworn law enforcement personnel.
This truly practical course will provide you with the skills to gain high quality information from individuals, no matter what their status might be in the investigation.
Topics Include
The verbal communication process
Witness memory enhancement
Flow of information
Interviewing process
Kinesics interview techniques
Detecting deception
Videotaping and recording interrogations
Interview of rape victims
Interview of child witnesses and victims
Criminal personality profiling for interviews
The effective interrogator
Legal aspects
Psychology of interrogations
The first three topics will stress the methods you can employ to establish rapport, improve feedback and become more discerning through efficient listening. An examination of the interviewing process will give you a structured interview to expand your ability to obtain accurate information and detect deception.
Through criminal personality profiling, you will be able to more accurately determine the personality type you are confronting and some of the interviewing techniques best suited to elicit information from that individual.
This course focuses on skill development and will enhance your ability to conduct effective interviews and interrogations.
Whether you are the first responder or the lead investigator, this course will give you the knowledge and skills to thoroughly and professionally investigate any possible homicide situation.
We will show you the various types of homicides that you may encounter and common approaches to each. You will learn a systematic process for handling the crime scene, from the initial approach through scene documentation and evidence collection. And, you’ll see how the latest technology and forensic sciences can assist you in your investigation.
Beyond the crime scene, you’ll also learn about criminal profiling, interrogation techniques and how to handle the news media’s involvement.
Topics Include
Death scene preservation
Duties of the first officer on the scene
Investigative procedures at the death scene
Team approach to death investigations
Autoerotic death investigations
Causes and manner of death
Time of death determination
Criminal personality profiling
Organized vs. disorganized crime scenes
Death scene search techniques
Handling the news media in death investigations
Suicide investigations
Homicide interrogation techniques
Audience
Patrol officers, newly assigned and seasoned detectives, investigations supervisors, crime scene technicians, medical examiner and coroner investigators, military investigative personnel
Class is restricted to sworn law enforcement officers and those personnel assigned directly to law enforcement agencies.
This course will further enhance the skills you acquired in IPTM's Homicide Investigation course and supply you with the knowledge and abilities to handle even the most challenging homicide investigations.
You will learn how to organize a complex homicide investigation and how to apply advanced forensic techniques to the case. We will discuss criminal profiling and abnormal psychology and you will learn specific interrogation techniques to use on the suspects.
Lectures during the course will be held to a minimum. Instead, emphasis will be placed on practical exercises. You will be provided the opportunity to apply the skills you have acquired while studying complex homicide cases presented by the instructors.
Patrol officers, newly assigned and seasoned detectives, investigations supervisors, crime scene technicians, medical examiner and coroner investigators, military investigative personnel
This class is restricted to sworn law enforcement officers and those personnel assigned directly to law enforcement agencies.
This course is specifically designed for detectives who investigate violent crimes but are not responsible for the documentation or collection of blood evidence.
The objective is to enhance the knowledge of homicide and crimes against persons detectives in various areas of bloodstain pattern analysis, with an emphasis on understanding the value of bloodstain evidence and how it can be effectively applied as a forensic tool throughout their investigation. We will provide you with a cohesive understanding of the cause, effect, and implications of different bloodstains and patterns, as well as the actions that caused them.
We will use several actual case studies to emphasize and illustrate the concepts and fundamentals discussed during lectures. This course is not designed for crime scene investigator, as it does not have a laboratory component.
Topics Include
How to recognize bloodstains and patterns that provide probative information regarding the actions that caused the blood-letting events and movements of individuals - during and after the events
How to extrapolate relevant evidence from altered scenes
How to recognize the differences between medical and suspicious deaths
Understanding the documentation processes available to capture the bloodstains and patterns for future analysis by an expert
Types of bloodstains to select for DNA analysis that will provide the most probative value to the investigation
What to expect from a bloodstain pattern analysis conducted by an expert
How expert analysis can be applied throughout the investigation and its relevance in criminal proceedings
Audience
Law enforcement, detectives, investigators, and military investigative personnel. It is not designed for crime scene investigator, as it does not have a laboratory component.
Class is restricted to sworn law enforcement officers and those personnel assigned directly to law enforcement agencies.
This two-day course will further enhance the skills you acquired in IPTM’s Homicide Investigation and Advanced Homicide Investigation courses. You will learn how to bring life back into your agency cold cases, not only by using modern technology that wasn't available to previous investigators but also going back to the basics. This course will also touch on the use of Forensic Genetic Genealogy (FGG) in cold cases.
You will learn about some of the fatal mistakes made in these investigations that have both contributed to the case going cold but also remaining cold. You will learn about some of the new techniques and technologies available to detectives today.
These types of cases are some of the most difficult to solve, but also the most rewarding when they are solved, and you can give the victim the justice they deserve and their families some peace.
Topics Include
Reasons for family denial of suicide
How to identify a viable cold case
How to prioritize and organize cold cases
Systematic review of your cold case
Forensic advancements & investigative tools for cold cases
Suspect identification and analytical workup
The witness/suspect interview process years after the crime
To successfully solve violent, sexually motivated crimes, you need to be aware of the criminal personality you are confronting. You also need to be aware of the special investigative skills that are needed to manage and investigate these cases, as well as the proper evidence needed for prosecution.
This course will cover basic and advanced investigative concepts and provide you with the knowledge and skills of an effective sex crime investigator. Students will engage in an in-depth study of the lust murderer, the pedophile, the child molester and the rapist. We will also explore the psychology of the sex offender, as well as the victim, and explain the role physical evidence and the medical examiner’s findings play in the successful investigation and prosecution of these cases.
As these cases are often sensitive in nature, you’ll also learn the principles of victimology in sexual assaults and how to best deal with the victims’ psychological problems. We’ll examine the latest proven techniques for interviewing both adult and child victims suffering the after effects of such a traumatic experience.
Topics Include
Overview of sexually motivated crimes
The pedophile vs. the child molester
The criminal mind and abnormal psychology
Paraphilia and erotosexual dysfunction
Exploitation of children, child pornography and sex rings
Behavioral and personality traits of rapists
Physical evidence in sex crimes
Serial and lust murders
Autoerotic and equivocal death investigations
Crime scene profiling
Audience
Newly assigned and seasoned detectives, investigations supervisors, crime scene technicians, medical examiner and coroner investigators, prosecutors and military investigative personnel
This class is restricted to sworn law enforcement officers and those personnel assigned directly to law enforcement agencies.
This truly practical course will provide you with the skills to gain high quality information from individuals, no matter what their status might be in the investigation.
Topics Include
The verbal communication process
Witness memory enhancement
Flow of information
Interviewing process
Kinesics interview techniques
Detecting deception
Videotaping and recording interrogations
Interview of rape victims
Interview of child witnesses and victims
Criminal personality profiling for interviews
The effective interrogator
Legal aspects
Psychology of interrogations
The first three topics will stress the methods you can employ to establish rapport, improve feedback and become more discerning through efficient listening. An examination of the interviewing process will give you a structured interview to expand your ability to obtain accurate information and detect deception.
Through criminal personality profiling, you will be able to more accurately determine the personality type you are confronting and some of the interviewing techniques best suited to elicit information from that individual.
This course focuses on skill development and will enhance your ability to conduct effective interviews and interrogations.
Audience
Patrol officers, newly assigned and seasoned detectives, investigations supervisors, crime scene technicians, medical examiner and coroner investigators and military investigative personnel
This class is restricted to sworn law enforcement officers and those personnel assigned directly to law enforcement agencies.
This course will provide you with in-depth instruction on the correct procedures for processing blood evidence at a crime scene or in a lab. You will gain an understanding of basic bloodstain patterns encountered at crime scenes, how to properly document those patterns, and how to utilize various chemical enhancement techniques. You will learn methods to evaluate a crime scene to determine the type of crime that has been committed and the physical parameters of the area of involvement. We will show you how to properly locate, document, collect, and preserve the physical evidence at the scene. You will also be introduced to networks and databases that can assist you in the investigative process.
Exercises will reinforce the classroom discussions to enhance your understanding of the basic principles of bloodstain pattern analysis, enhancement techniques, including chemical and alternate light sources, and proper documentation and collection.
Topics Include
Crime scene analysis
Overview of bloodstain principles
Recognition of bloodstain patterns
Presumptive tests for blood
Blood chemical enhancement techniques
Photography documentation
Audience
Crime scene technicians, crimes against persons detectives, investigations supervisors, forensic investigators, first responding officers, medical examiner and coroner investigators, military investigative personnel, and non-sworn personnel who process crime scenes.
This course is restricted to active sworn and non-sworn law enforcement and medical examiner personnel.
This course will further enhance the skills you acquired in IPTM's Homicide Investigation course and supply you with the knowledge and abilities to handle even the most challenging homicide investigations.
You will learn how to organize a complex homicide investigation and how to apply advanced forensic techniques to the case. We will discuss criminal profiling and abnormal psychology and you will learn specific interrogation techniques to use on the suspects.
Lectures during the course will be held to a minimum. Instead, emphasis will be placed on practical exercises. You will be provided the opportunity to apply the skills you have acquired while studying complex homicide cases presented by the instructors.
Patrol officers, newly assigned and seasoned detectives, investigations supervisors, crime scene technicians, medical examiner and coroner investigators, military investigative personnel
This class is restricted to sworn law enforcement officers and those personnel assigned directly to law enforcement agencies.
This course will arm you with a solid foundation to efficiently and effectively manage a variety of major case situations including multi-incident investigations, cross-jurisdictional cases, mass arrest projects, and more.
We will take you through the process of handling major cases beginning with the policies and infrastructure that should be in place before a situation occurs. We will examine a typical major case organizational structure and discuss the effective use of chain of command in both single agency and multi-agency situations.
Next we will take you step-by-step through the various components of major case management. You will learn how to handle the initial crisis, manage the crime scene, allocate personnel, track the leads and the investigation, coordinate the assisting agencies, and handle the news media. We will also discuss the pros and cons surrounding the use of 24-hour hotlines, citizen volunteers, confidential sources, special prosecutors, and others.
Throughout the course, you will learn about the state and federal resources available to you during these investigations. You will also learn the case reporting and documentation that should be completed along the way so that proper evaluation and debriefing can be done upon the conclusion of operations.
Topics Include
Major case management goals and objectives
Types and components of major cases
Multiple incident or “crime pattern” investigations
Extended resource/long term investigations
Multi-jurisdictional major cases
Undercover and sting operations
Mass arrest projects
Operational and support functions
Communications plan and information management
Lead management and follow-up
Single agency and multi-agency task force operations
Mutual aid agreements and memorandums of understanding
Special problems and common errors
State and federal resources
After action reporting and debriefing
Audience
New and veteran investigative unit supervisors, patrol supervisors seeking command responsibilities, division commanders, and agency executives.
This course is restricted to sworn and non-sworn law enforcement personnel.
This advanced course will take you beyond the blood basics and increase your knowledge and skills in bloodstain pattern analysis. We will also take an in-depth look at the judicial process for becoming qualified to give effective witness testimony.
“Hands-on” experience with actual bloodstain patterns and advanced chemical processing techniques will help strengthen your recognition and analytical abilities and enhance your knowledge of various applications.
We will analyze case studies to teach you how to prepare and document your findings and a moot court exercise will give you an opportunity to testify about your conclusions. We will also examine the Daubert Decision and other expert witness issues that may impact your testimony.
This course will help law enforcement and civilian investigators present their opinions involving bloodstain patterns in a courtroom setting with confidence, while meeting the minimal requirements for expert testimony.
Topics Include
Pattern identification
Case studies
Preparing experiments for confirmation of findings
Preparing exhibits for the courtroom
Moot courtroom testimony
Audience
Patrol officers, newly assigned and seasoned detectives, investigations supervisors, crime scene technicians, medical examiner and coroner investigators, military investigative personnel, and prosecuting attorneys
This class is restricted to active law enforcement and prosecuting attorneys employed by governmental agencies.
From the time evidence is collected, through the presentation of evidence in the courtroom, to the final disposition and disposal, this course will provide you with all the information you need to maintain the security and integrity of your department's property and evidence. You will learn how to properly document, inventory, control, dispose of and purge property and evidence of all types.
Lectures will focus on the physical security of the property/evidence room as well as the legal issues pertaining to the operation of such facilities. OSHA requirements and regulations will be discussed and storage solutions for the evidence room will be explored. You will learn about the special considerations surrounding hazardous, bio-hazardous, and other special risk items as well as preferred procedures for packaging the evidence for storage and submission for testing.
Topics Include
Physical security of property and evidence rooms
Policies and procedures relating to the evidence function
Legal issues pertaining to the operation of evidence facilities
Evidence packaging for storage and submission for testing
Evidence integrity
Computerization of property and evidence rooms
Narcotics destruction - burn procedures and certification
Bio-hazardous evidence storage and destruction
OSHA requirements and regulations
Personal safety issues
Storage solutions
Audience
Sworn law enforcement officers, as well as non-sworn property and evidence custodians and supervisors responsible for overseeing their departments’ property and evidence facilities
In this fast-paced course, you will learn processes and techniques that apply specifically to crimes against children. From the initial call to the courtroom, you’ll receive an in-depth analysis of investigative methodologies you can use to solve these crimes.
We will examine the persistent patterns of behavior of the seven types child molesters and teach you effective techniques for interviewing these criminals. We will also help you develop the skills needed to conduct forensic interviews of child victims and witnesses.
Using case studies, we will introduce you to the different classifications of evidence and how each applies to your investigation. You will learn how to prepare an expert search and seizure warrant for a preferential child molester to include seizing child pornography, child erotica, DNA and computer evidence.
Finally, we will discuss the criteria for amber alerts and the importance of the initial response to a child abduction. You will learn how to develop a Child Abduction Response Team (CART)–a multidiscipline, multijurisdictional team of experts–and how it can greatly improve your ability to recover a missing child.
Topics Include
Definitions and diagnostic criteria for the DSM-5
Patterns, behaviors and characteristics of offenders
Pedophilia and offender
Investigative and interviewing techniques
Preparing an expert search and seizure warrant
Emerging investigative strategies
Forensic interviews of a child
Understanding predatory behaviors
Developing a Child Abduction Response Team (CART)
Prerequisite(s)
It is recommended, but not mandatory, that you have completed a basic investigations course or have the knowledge of proven investigative techniques necessary to investigate most crimes against children cases.
Audience
Patrol officers, newly assigned and seasoned detectives, investigations supervisors, crime scene technicians, military investigative personnel, non-sworn personnel who participate in investigations, and prosecutor’s office personnel who investigate and prosecute crimes against children
This class is restricted to active sworn and non-sworn law enforcement, investigators, and prosecuting attorneys employed by governmental agencies.
Economic crimes have become the fastest growing and costliest crimes in the U.S. in recent years. Frauds are also one of the most difficult to understand and investigate. This updated course explains the complexities of fraud investigations and arms you with a systematic approach and specific techniques for handling a wide range of financial and consumer fraud-related crimes. It relies heavily on student interaction, case studies, and practical scenarios to help increase your understanding of the ever-changing nature of these investigations.
Our goal is to provide you with current information effecting Economic Crimes Investigators with different levels of training and experience. Topics range from simple check fraud and credit card fraud to identity theft and major offenses like embezzlement, internet scams, and Ponzi schemes. In addition, you will learn current trends involving electronic fund transfers and cryptocurrency, as well as how to investigate these crimes. We will show you how to handle the day-to-day issues with conducting these investigations. These issues include how to determine the appropriate jurisdiction for cases, which cases are civil or criminal, and reviews a variety of investigative resources to assist the students with their investigations. We will also provide you with receive recent examples of a variety of legal processes needed to conduct these investigations.
Topics Include
Introduction into Economic Crimes:
Triaging cases
Determining civil vs. criminal
Jurisdictional issues
Case management
Subpoenas, search warrants and court orders
Resources
Legal process
Classifying and investigating the different types of fraud:
Check fraud
Credit/debit card fraud
Identify theft
Internet/computer crimes
Embezzlement
Ponzi/pyramid schemes
Money laundering
Racketeering
EFT’s/cryptocurrency
Audience
Patrol officers, criminal investigators, and economic crimes unit personnel who are responsible for conducting fraud investigations
This course is restricted to sworn and non-sworn law enforcement personnel.
This course will provide you with in-depth instruction of the processes and techniques that apply to all aspects of criminal investigations, from the initial response to the scene to the final courtroom presentation.
You will learn methods to investigate property crimes up to violent crimes against persons. We'll show you how to properly locate and document the physical evidence to aid in your investigative efforts. Techniques for interviewing witnesses, victims and suspects will be covered. You will also learn about networks and databases that can assist you in the investigative process.
During the course, we will teach you how to perform basic investigative duties and prepare you for future, more specialized training.
Crimes against persons: sex crimes, robberies, death investigations
Use of DNA and social media
Electronic evidence: cell phones, cell sites, geo-fencing, Wi-Fi downloads, and more
Case reporting and documentation
Sources of intelligence
Audience
Patrol officers, newly assigned and seasoned detectives, investigations supervisors, crime scene technicians, medical examiner and coroner investigators, military investigative personnel, and non-sworn personnel who must effectively interact with sworn officers
This course is restricted to active sworn and non-sworn law enforcement and medical examiner personnel.
Proving suicide can be a daunting task for the investigator due to factors such as family denials, scene interference, insurance issues, and the basic stigma surrounding an intentional self-inflicted death. This course is specifically designed to help you overcome these difficulties by providing you with the skills necessary to thoroughly and properly investigate the death and to recognize and document all indicators of suicide. Your thorough investigation can be the sole basis for a Medical Examiner/Coroner to rule the manner-of-death as suicide.
The reasons one decides to take his or her own life can be psychological, biological, social or a combination of the three. We will explore each of these reasons in-depth. We will also cover the physical possibility of suicide – i.e. could the deceased have physically killed themselves, the most common methods employed, and the development of intent.
Classroom lectures and “case analysis” exercises will be used to teach you the proper steps to take when investigating suspected suicides. You will also be given a number of recommendations for dealing with the family of the victim of suicide.
Topics Include
Reasons for family denial of suicide
Dealing with the family of the decedent
Determining the physical possibility of suicide
Developing and detailing all indications of intent on the part of the decedent
Developing motive
The most common methods of suicide
Importance of determining the body position when a firearm is utilized
Differentiating between an intentional hanging and an autoerotic death
Reasons why a person may commit suicide
The biological, psychological and sociological perspectives of suicide
Audience
Patrol officers, newly assigned and seasoned detectives, investigations supervisors, crime scene technicians, medical examiner and coroner investigators, and military investigative personnel.
The course is restricted to active sworn and non-sworn law enforcement and medical examiner personnel.
Whether you are the first responder or the lead investigator, this course will give you the knowledge and skills to thoroughly and professionally investigate any possible homicide situation.
We will show you the various types of homicides that you may encounter and common approaches to each. You will learn a systematic process for handling the crime scene, from the initial approach through scene documentation and evidence collection. And, you’ll see how the latest technology and forensic sciences can assist you in your investigation.
Beyond the crime scene, you’ll also learn about criminal profiling, interrogation techniques and how to handle the news media’s involvement.
Topics Include
Death scene preservation
Duties of the first officer on the scene
Investigative procedures at the death scene
Team approach to death investigations
Autoerotic death investigations
Causes and manner of death
Time of death determination
Criminal personality profiling
Organized vs. disorganized crime scenes
Death scene search techniques
Handling the news media in death investigations
Suicide investigations
Homicide interrogation techniques
Audience
Patrol officers, newly assigned and seasoned detectives, investigations supervisors, crime scene technicians, medical examiner and coroner investigators, military investigative personnel
Class is restricted to sworn law enforcement officers and those personnel assigned directly to law enforcement agencies.
This course will further enhance the skills you acquired in IPTM's Homicide Investigation course and supply you with the knowledge and abilities to handle even the most challenging homicide investigations.
You will learn how to organize a complex homicide investigation and how to apply advanced forensic techniques to the case. We will discuss criminal profiling and abnormal psychology and you will learn specific interrogation techniques to use on the suspects.
Lectures during the course will be held to a minimum. Instead, emphasis will be placed on practical exercises. You will be provided the opportunity to apply the skills you have acquired while studying complex homicide cases presented by the instructors.
Patrol officers, newly assigned and seasoned detectives, investigations supervisors, crime scene technicians, medical examiner and coroner investigators, military investigative personnel
This class is restricted to sworn law enforcement officers and those personnel assigned directly to law enforcement agencies.
This course is specifically designed for detectives who investigate violent crimes but are not responsible for the documentation or collection of blood evidence.
The objective is to enhance the knowledge of homicide and crimes against persons detectives in various areas of bloodstain pattern analysis, with an emphasis on understanding the value of bloodstain evidence and how it can be effectively applied as a forensic tool throughout their investigation. We will provide you with a cohesive understanding of the cause, effect, and implications of different bloodstains and patterns, as well as the actions that caused them.
We will use several actual case studies to emphasize and illustrate the concepts and fundamentals discussed during lectures. This course is not designed for crime scene investigator, as it does not have a laboratory component.
Topics Include
How to recognize bloodstains and patterns that provide probative information regarding the actions that caused the blood-letting events and movements of individuals - during and after the events
How to extrapolate relevant evidence from altered scenes
How to recognize the differences between medical and suspicious deaths
Understanding the documentation processes available to capture the bloodstains and patterns for future analysis by an expert
Types of bloodstains to select for DNA analysis that will provide the most probative value to the investigation
What to expect from a bloodstain pattern analysis conducted by an expert
How expert analysis can be applied throughout the investigation and its relevance in criminal proceedings
Audience
Law enforcement, detectives, investigators, and military investigative personnel. It is not designed for crime scene investigator, as it does not have a laboratory component.
Class is restricted to sworn law enforcement officers and those personnel assigned directly to law enforcement agencies.
This is a 40 hour Advanced Shooting Analysis & Reconstruction Course offered by Highlands Forensics and hosted by the Orlando Police Department the week of January 5, 2026 to January 9, 2026.
This course will pick up where a basic SIR course ends by providing instruction on topics concerned with the process of performing an objective and unbiased shooting scene reconstruction. Lecture topics will include the methodolgy involved,in the reconstructon process, incorporating bloodstain evidence and the results from autopsy into a reoncstuction and a detailed analysis of the human body as a target. Attendees will work in small groups to proocess a motor vehicle shooting scene and be given an actual shooting case for each small group to perform a shooting scene reconstruction. Ultimately each small group will prepare a PowerPoint presentation of their findings. All materials will be provided by the host and Highlands. The only attendee requirement are to have attended a Basic SIR course and a laptop with Microsoft Word and PowerPoint. more info...