Drafting a "Bullet Proof" Affidavit

Course Objectives and Agenda (CLICK HERE)

Please be aware that this class is a 16-hour training. Therefore, the training will be 8am-5pm local time each day.

One of the most challenging aspects of advanced investigation techniques is the ability to draft an affidavit for a search warrant that is evidentiary in nature. In other words, the detective is seeking evidence linking a suspect to a crime, but the evidence has not been seen in the home or vehicle. The detective has probable cause to believe the evidence he or she is seeking is at the location. Some common examples of the use of evidentiary search warrants are as follows Credit Card Abuse, Identity Theft, and Forgery- warrants that seek such things as; documents, stolen credit cards, forms of identification, and merchandise purchased with stolen credit cards or forged checks.

Homicide, sexual assault, aggravated assault and child sexual assault - warrants that seek such things as; pornography used to lower a child's inhibitions, items used during a sexual assault, items used during the curse of homicide, documents, pictures, and writings used to fuel the fantasies of the offender.

The overall goal of the training is to present several forms of evidentiary search warrants and provide the students with "templates" of each type of warrant that they may retain and use them during their own investigations. Attendees will become familiar with all forms of evidentiary search warrants and will have a working knowledge of how the use of an evidentiary search warrant will enhance their investigations. Attendees will be required to write the affidavit for an evidentiary search warrant based on facts given to them during class. Attendees will be requested bring a laptop computer for this class.

The course will enable the investigator to use the evidence gained using a search warrant to enhance the quality of their investigation, identify additional suspects, and identify additional criminal offenses committed by suspects that may have not yet been reported.

Topics Covered:

• Search Warrant for Evidence, Blood and DNA
• Warrant Process for Bank Account Funds
• Warrants for Cell Phones
• Preservation Letters for Social Media Accounts
• Geo Fence Warrants
• Instruments of a crime
• Proper Structure of Affidavit
  
• Real World Affidavit Examples
• Informant Based Search Warrants
• Drafting Warrants Based on Evidence Collected on Trash Pulls