Course overview

There are a number of crime scene principles and techniques that a crime scene investigator won’t necessarily use on a daily basis, but are important to learn regardless. This 40 hour hands-on course is designed to familiarize intermediate to advanced level police personnel with the technical skills needed to identify, document, preserve and collect more complicated physical evidence found at crime scenes. Students will work through practical exercises to establish knowledge in everything from bloodstain pattern documentation to advanced photography techniques. The week of instruction culminates in report writing and testimony exercises designed to prepare crime scene professionals for presenting their processes and findings in a court of law. Forza Forensics is committed to working with your organization's personnel to make them better equipped to handle any investigative situation.

It is recommended that students have completed a basic crime scene processing class and/or have some field experience prior to taking this course.

Day One.

Students can expect to spend the first day reviewing the roles of a CSI and the methodology of crime scene investigation. Then, students dive right into learning bloodstain pattern recognition and documentation.

  • Role of the CSI

  • Proper scene documentation

  • Processing methodology

  • Basics of fluid dynamics and characteristics of blood

  • Searching for latent and small bloodstains

  • Bloodstain recognition

  • Bloodstain documentation and “road mapping”

Day Two.

Day two builds upon day one where students learn the characteristics of bloodstain patterns, bloodstain pattern enhancements and proper application techniques of these chemicals.

  • Basic chemistry of Amido Black and Leuco Crystal Violet (LCV)

  • Proper application and documentation of Amido Black and LCV

  • Basic principles of chemiluminescent reactions (BlueStar)

  • Proper application of chemiluminescent reagents

  • Camera set up and photography of chemiluminescent reactions

Day Three.

Day three introduces students to firearms and projectiles as evidence. With an emphasis of safety, student will learn how to search for, document and collect evidence produced by firearms.

  • Firearm “anatomy”

  • Firearms safety

  • Sodium rhodizonate testing

  • Documenting a shooting incident scene

  • Photographing trajectory rods and LASERs

Day Four.

In day four, students learn advanced photography techniques to help them better document the crime scene and evidence items.

  • Comparison quality photography

  • Long exposure and flash photography

  • Physics of UV/IR light

  • UV/IR use at the crime scene and for evidence processing

  • Photography using UV/IR

Day Five.

On the last day of class, students focus on perfecting their report writing skills and then learn how to properly convey their crime scene processing techniques to a court and jury.

  • Proper documentation and note taking

  • Crime scene report structure

  • Use of photos and diagrams

  • Common phrases

  • Court process

  • Court attire

  • Voir dire and qualifications

  • Presenting forensic concepts to the jury

Course links

advanced crime scene Investigation course syllabus

course policies

Upcoming.

march 10th - 14th, 2025

roseville, ca

february 10th - 14th, 2025

Defiance, MO

click here to host this course!

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

IAI Approved.

This course is approved by the Crime Scene Certification Board of the International Association for Identification for 40 hours towards certification and re-certification credit.

Course requirements.

Students will need to bring any camera equipment normally carried while on duty.

(Camera kit rental is available. Select option during registration)

Student are also encouraged to train with their own crime scene equipment since that is what they will use on a day to day basis. However, all forensic supplies needed to complete the practical exercises will be available (excludes camera kit).