Presented by Ron Smith and Associates, Inc., and the

Instructors: Scott Campbell or John Black
 

Course Description

Expectations of the public and the courts have risen dramatically over the last several years in the area of physical evidence collection and forensic identification. Additionally, there is a need for “Homeland Security” protection through awareness, collection and identification of physical evidence at the local level. Working a crime scene is a “process” that involves a broad range of skills.

With these issues in mind, the purpose of this course is to train Law Enforcement personnel in the skills needed to identify, photograph, process, and preserve the crime scene and items of evidence found in them. The course is intended to provide a foundation for the future development of such expertise through experience and continued training. Upon completion of this training, you should possess the fundamental skills necessary to process crime scenes and collect a variety of different types of physical evidence.

COURSE OVERVIEW

 Evidence Collection Kits

  • Suggested items to include

 What is Physical Evidence?

  • Locard’s Exchange Principle
  • The Evidence Triangle

 Documentation of Crime Scenes

  • Photography

o       Photography Equipment

o       Composure – types of photos

o       Camera controls and settings

o       Specialized photographic techniques

  • Searching, sketching, measurements and diagramming crime scenes
  • Written narratives and field notes

Biological Evidence – search and recovery

  • DNA
  • Body fluids
  • Use of Luminol

 Trace Evidence

  • Types of evidence, collection and packaging

o       Firearms and ammunition

o       Clothing, fabrics, hairs and fibers

o       Fracture and tear matches

o       Building materials

o       Glass

o       Tool marks

o       Paints

o       Metals

o       Gunshot residue – GSR

o       Arson debris

 Latent Fingerprint Development

  • History behind the use of fingerprints and why they are used today
  • Collection and use of “Elimination Prints”
  • Skin structure and secretions and how they effect latent impressions
  • Types of surfaces found at a crime scene and how to best process them
    • Porous
    • Non-porous
  • Dusting and lifting methods
  • Specialized techniques

o       Textured surfaces

o       Cyanoacrylate (superglue)

o       Small particle reagent – wet surfaces

o       Sticky side powder and gentian violet – adhesive tapes

o       Use of chemicals for “Porous processing” – iodine, ninhydrin, physical developer

 Footwear and tire track impressions

·        Two and three dimensional evidence

·        Class characteristics and individualization

·        Photographic techniques

·        Collection methods

o       Casting

o       Gel lifters

o       Dusting and lifting

o       Electrostatic lifting equipment

 Document (Handwriting) Evidence


 
ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTORS  

Scott Campbell
Milwaukee Police Department
 

Your instructor, retired Police Identification Supervisor Scott Campbell is a 28-year veteran of the City of Milwaukee, Wisconsin Police Department, having served as a Shift Commander for their Identification Division. Scott Campbell started his career in uniform patrol and then was assigned to a variety of specialized units including the Tactical Enforcement Unit, or S.W.A.T., where he began his training and instructor career as one of the lead instructors for that unit. In 1994 Scott transferred to the Identification Division where he began his crime scene, evidence photography and fingerprint identification career as an Identification Technician. In 2001 he was promoted to Supervisor and was appointed the Division’s Training Coordinator where he developed instructional programs and trained all new technicians, recruit officers, detectives and supervisors for the department. In addition to his work related practical experience, Scott has been blessed to receive more than 400 hours of training in the fields of forensic identification, crime scene processing, evidence photography and management. With more than 12 years of experience as a crime scene and fingerprint identification specialist with the department, Scott has taught specialized training sessions at the Milwaukee Police Academy, State of Wisconsin Technical College programs established to train law enforcement officers in the state, and evidence seminars in other states. Currently Scott is a member of both the International Association for Identification and the Wisconsin Association for Identification.

 

John P. Black
Ron Smith and Associates, Inc.
John P. Black earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Forensic Chemistry from Ohio University in Athens, Ohio in 1990.  He began his career in forensic science in 1991 as a Forensic Chemist with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.  He continued his career in forensic science as a Senior Criminalist with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), and was assigned to the Latent Print/Crime Scene Department in March of 1995.  In January 2007, he accepted a position as a Senior Forensic Consultant with Ron Smith & Associates, Inc., headquartered in Collinsville, Mississippi.  John Black has investigated literally hundreds of major crime scenes and has been court qualified to give expert witness testimony in the areas of latent prints, crime scene investigation, bloodstain pattern analysis, footwear, tire tread, and fabric examinations.  He is a member of the International Association for Identification, and has achieved IAI certification in the areas of Latent Prints (CLPE), Footwear Examinations (CFWE) and Crime Scene Examinations (CSCSA).  John Black currently serves as a member of the Crime Scene Certification Board of the IAI.  He has lectured on numerous occasions at state and local educational conferences, and was also requested to present at the IAI’s Annual International Educational Conferences in Miami (2001), Las Vegas (2002), Dallas (2005) and Boston (2006).  He currently serves as a member of the IAI Editorial Board for the Journal of Forensic Identification and the Scientific Working Group on Friction Ridge Analysis, Study and Technology. John was recently honored by the IAI and named a Distinguished Member of the Association.

GENERAL COURSE INFORMATION

Daily Schedule: This course will begin promptly at 8:00 a.m.

Class attire should be casual and comfortable.

This training seminar has been approved for (40) hours of Continuing Education Credit required for I.A.I. Certification and Re-certification

Certificates of achievement, authorized by the International Association for Identification, will be awarded to each student successfully completing the seminar.

TUITION: See course registration page
 

COURSE CALENDAR

December 8-12, 2008
 

 

 

WAYS TO ENROLL

Online:
Visit the registration link for the scheduled date and location in which you are interested and fill out the online registration form associated with this course.

By FAX:
Complete all the information on the registration form, print it out and fax it to us at 601-626-1122.

By Mail:
Complete all the information on the registration form, print it out and mail it to us at:

Ron Smith & Associates, Inc.
Attention: Training Division
P.O. Box 670
Collinsville, Mississippi 39325


By Phone:
Call us toll free at 1-866–TEAM RSA (832-6772) and register directly with one of our Training
Division staff members.

PAYMENT OPTIONS:
By Check:
Checks are to be made payable to “Ron Smith & Associates, Inc.” All registrants should forward a
department check, personal check or purchase order, along with a copy of their completed registration
form to Ron Smith & Associates, Inc.


By Credit Card:
To pay by credit card, please contact Ron Smith & Associates, Inc. and speak with one of our
representatives. Call toll free at 1-866–TEAM RSA (1-866-832-6772)