Basic Crime Scene Reconstruction Course
Class Schedule

Instructors: Ross M. Gardner, Tom Bevel

Course Objectives. Upon completion of the course the student should:

• Demonstrate knowledge of the development, history and advancement of crime scene analysis.
• Identify the steps of scientific method.
• Identify the seven steps of the methodology used in crime scene analysis.
• Demonstrate the ability to develop a hypothesis in a written format and set an objective foundation for any ultimate conclusion.
• Demonstrate the ability to objectively flow chart an incident, distinguishing relative chronology from absolute chronology.
• Demonstrate an ability to evaluate a complex crime scene.

Day One

0800 - 0900    Registration and Introduction.

0900 - 1000 History of Crime Scene Reconstruction.  Lecture on the history of crime scene reconstruction and analysis.

1000 - 1130 Introduction to Crime Scene Analysis. Lecture outlining the basic objectives and purpose behind crime scene analysis and reconstruction. 

1300 - 1400 Case Presentation – Slaughter Case. Case presentation outlining the complexities and issues involved in some crime scenes and the use of crime scene analysis to resolve these issues.

1400 - 1500  Applying Scientific Method.  A lecture outlining the use of basic scientific method to resolve complex issues encountered in complex crime scenes.

1500 - 1630  7 Step Event Analysis Methodology. A lecture introducing the 7 step Event Analysis methodology used to define event segments and their sequence for an incident.

Day Two  

0800 - 1000 Worksheet Introduction and Event Segment Worksheet Practical.  Lecture on the use of worksheets and a group practical using the Event Segment Worksheet.

1000 - 1130  Scientific Method Worksheet Practical – Hess Case. A group practical using the scientific worksheet to resolve a specific investigative issue regarding an equivocal death.

1300 - 1400  Direct/Circumstantial Practical.  A practical involving the 1st day case presentation, requiring students to separate objective data from subjective data.

1400 - 1500  Flow Charting.  A lecture outlining the use of flow charts to establish the relative chronology of an event.  This is followed by a practical involving the previous case presentation.

1600 - 1700  Walton Case Practical.  Students evaluate a specific investigative issue involving a homicide scene and resolve the issue using one of the two discussed worksheets.

Day Three  

0800 - 1000 Routier Case Presentation.  A multi-victim homicide crime scene is presented followed by a discussion of the use of crime scene analysis in resolving specific scene issues.

1100 - 1500  Case Practical.  Each student independently develops a conclusion and creates a written foundation for actual case related crime scene issues, which are then discussed as a class.  (Two to three practical scenes as time permits).

1500 - 1630  Report Writing and Demonstrative Evidence.  A lecture outlining the basic elements of the crime scene analysis report and the use of demonstrative evidence to support the conclusions.

Day Four  

0800 - 1700 Day Four Practical.  This is a 1 ½ day group practical in which students evaluate all of the case documentation from a complex crime scene (2 victims, 2 suspects, four weapons) and attempt to resolve two specific investigative questions and create a flow chart of the event.
 
Day Five
 
0800 - 1200 Day Four Practical continues.

1300 - 1400 Group Presentations.  Each student group presents their conclusions from the case and explains their flow chart.
 
1400 - 1600 Moot Court.  Groups get an opportunity to defend their conclusion in a moot court exercise.