Practical Crime Scene Processing Syllabus

Instructor: Ross M. Gardner 

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

• Demonstrate knowledge of the six basic activities involved in crime scene processing and the general order of these activities.
• Recognize the general categories of physical evidence, what a crime laboratory can do with this evidence and accepted methods of recovery.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the critical aspects of assessing a crime scene, including scene containment, crime scene team composition considerations, choosing the most effective crime scene search technique and scene hazard identification and mitigation.
• Describe the different scene mapping methods.
• Describe the three basic photographs utilized for crime scene documentation, the purpose of each and identify the four critical errors associated to crime scene photography.
• Describe and demonstrate the basic elements of crime scene narratives.
• Recognize basic bloodstain patterns.
• Discuss the three aspects of trajectory analysis and describe the proper use of a trajectory kit.
• Discuss the function, theory and application of an alternative light source in crime scene processing.

Day 1

0800 - 0830 Orientation

0830 - 0930 Crime Scene Considerations.  Lecture on basic concerns and objectives of crime scene processing, definition of evidence, classifications of evidence, the forensic linkage triangle, an introduction to the six basic activities involved in crime scene processing, a discussion of what “good” scene examination is, and a discussion of scene integrity and threats to scene integrity.

0930 - 1130 The Nature of Evidence.  Lecture regarding the difference between class and individual characteristics, discussion of the general categories of evidence (e.g. fingerprint, biological, bloodstain patterns, trace, ballistic, impression, document, and general chemical) and methods of collection for each.

1300 - 1430 Scene Processing Methodology.  Lecture on the six basic activities of crime scene processing, their order of application as well as a discussion of an acceptable 17 step processing method.

1430 - 1615 Assessing the Crime Scene.  Lecture regarding the activities associated with crime scene assessment, including scene contamination control techniques, personal protective measures, determining a search method and dealing with the media.

1615 - 1630 Review.

Day 2

0800 - 0930 Scene Photography.  Discussion of proper photographic documentation of scenes to include overall, evidence establishing and close-up photographs using still photography techniques, and the use of video photography to document scenes.  A discussion of photographic aids that help locate and identify evidence in photographs.

0930 - 1130 Scene Sketching.  Lecture on crime scene sketch methods and methods of fixing evidence (e.g. triangulation, rectangular coordinates, baseline). 

1300 - 1430 Crime Scene Reports.  Discussion of notes and reports relating to scene examinations and a discussion of a functional crime scene report format.  The lecture includes a practical in which the student describes aspects of four different scenes.

1430 - 1600 Bloodstain Pattern Recognition.  Lecture on the basic concepts of bloodstain pattern analysis, with a concentration on pattern recognition.

Day 3

0800 - 0930 Trajectory Analysis.  Lecture on the three aspects of trajectory analysis (interior, exterior, and terminal ballistics), how these three areas of study are used to define trajectories.  A discussion of the proper use of trajectory kits and limitations in trajectory analysis.

0930 - 1030 Function and Use of the ALS in the Crime Scene.  A lecture on the various Alternative Light Sources (ALS) systems available, the basic theory behind ALS technology and the practical use of the ALS in crime scene examination.

1030 - 1630 Practical Stations.  Students work through multiple practical stations practicing with equipment and techniques.

  Practical Stations:
  Trajectory Analysis
  LCV for enhancing blood prints
  Toolmarks Casting
  ESLD Use
  Prints on human skin
  Bloodstain Pattern Recognition
  Luminol Use
  Mock Crime Scene (Photographing and Sketching)

Day 4

0800 - 0930 Special Scene Considerations.  Lecture on dealing with special scene situations, including arson scenes and buried bodies.

0930 - 1130 Crime Scene Reconstruction.  Lecture on the methodology of crime scene analysis, applying scientific method to the physical evidence to objectively define what happened.

1300 - 1500  Crime Scene Reconstruction Practical.  A case study in which the students must examine a crime scene and the forensic data, then answer specific investigative questions.

1500 - 1630 Test, Course Critique and Certificates