Course overview

Collection evidence as a patrol officer brings its own unique set of challenges. This 32 hour hands-on course is designed to familiarize patrol officer and deputies with the basic technical skills needed to identify, document, preserve and collect the most common types of evidence found during patrol level investigations such as burglaries and stolen vehicle recoveries. Students will work through numerous practical exercises to establish competence in basic photo documentation, latent fingerprint collection, DNA swabbing and footwear collection. The course also provides an overview of crime lab capabilities in your area.

Day One.

Students can expect to spend the first day reviewing the capabilities of a crime lab and what to expect from their crime lab reports. Then the students begin learning how to properly document and handle evidence.

  • Forensic science ethics

  • Common evidence during patrol

  • Crime lab capabilities

  • Principles of documentation

  • Basic forensic photography skills

Day Two.

On day two, students learn the principles of latent print evidence and how to better collect latent prints during patrol level investigations.

  • Principles of latent print evidence

  • Documenting latent print evidence

  • Powedering for latent prints

  • Collecting latent prints from vehicles

  • Collecting latent prints from structures, windows and other evidence

Day Three.

Day three introduces students to the principles of DNA evidence and collection. Students also learn how to identify and collect footwear evidence found at property crime scenes.

  • Principles of DNA evidence

  • Source of DNA evidence

  • Processing latent prints in the field

  • Collecting biological evidence

  • Principles of Footwear evidence

  • Collection Footwear evidence

Day Four.

In day four, students combine their skills learn throughout the class and work through numerous practical exercises that mimic what they might encounter in the field.

  • Various patrol level crime scene practicals

 

Course links

basic crime scene Investigation course syllabus

course policies

Upcoming.

jan. 13th - 16th, 2025

buckeye, az

Click here to host this course!

If you have any questions about registration email us at info@forzaforensics.com

Course requirements.

Students will need to bring any camera equipment normally carried while on duty (cell phone is okay).