2.5 Day New Detective and Criminal Investigation

COURSE DESCRIPTION AND AGENDA (CLICK HERE)

This course is a 2.5-day, 20-hour course, therefore start time is 8:00am each day and end time is 5:00pm the first two days.  The last day will end at noon. 

This course is designed to introduce the foundation of criminal investigations to Uniform Patrol and Criminal Investigators. Whether you are the uniform officer responding to the call or the criminal investigator that will be handling the case, every first responder’s job is important. No matter what type of investigation that is going to be conducted, the fundamentals of criminal investigation remain the same. Applying determination, sound investigative practices, techniques and procedures will enhance the investigator’s ability to solve a case. Additionally, uniform patrol and criminal investigators will learn the importance of securing, preserving and the collection of evidence from the scene. Uniform Patrol and Criminal Investigators will learn the proper techniques in dealing with witnesses, suspects and testifying in criminal proceedings. After the completion of this course al first responders will feel confident in having learned the foundation of criminal investigations.

Accountability:
In any investigation the lead investigator will be charged with the responsibility of the investigation and will ultimately be held accountable for the integrity and success of the completed investigation. Participants will be made aware of the proper methods of ensuring that the scene is properly processed and that first responders document their actions during the investigation. This documentation includes written reports, photographs, measurements, sketches, analyzation of evidence and area canvasses. Participants will learn the importance on why everyone should be held accountable for their specific roles during an investigation. By learning the importance of everyone being held accountable during investigations, the participants will see how it translates into successful prosecutions for their cases.

Burglary, Robbery, Homicide, and Police-Involved Shooting:
Police officers are called to investigate approximately over 2.5 million burglaries a year. Police officers investigate over 300,000 robberies a year. Police officers are called to investigate approximately over 22,000 homicides a year. Lastly, Police Officers are involved in over 1000 police-involved shootings a year. These types of investigations will receive public scrutiny, and certain types can become national news immediately. First responders will see the complete investigative process on these types of investigations, from the initial call being received, to the prosecution. The importance will be for participants to be able to see how the fundamentals of criminal investigation, were applied in these crimes, and to understand how and why things were done. Additionally, these investigative techniques can be applied to all investigative cases from property crimes to person crimes. Additionally, there will be a lot of interactive investigative, and interview exercises, along with group discussions throughout the entire class.

Upon Completion:
Participants will be able to:
•Understand the fundamentals of criminal investigations
•The importance of Uniform Patrol and Criminal Investigators
•Identify what sound investigative techniques and procedures are
•Become familiar with multiple sources of evidence, including technology sources
•Identify resources available from outside searches and investigative agencies
•Employ best practices for identification, interviews, and interrogations
•Engage the media in assisting law enforcement’s investigative efforts
• Identify and complete the elements of crime scene documentation
• Recognize legal issues surrounding investigations and warrants
• Balance the public’s right to know with the defendant’s rights and integrity of the case
• Understand the role of various types of evidence in developing a successful prosecution
• Identify the most common pitfalls that defense attorneys will attack in an investigation
• Work more productively and effectively with the prosecution team
• Have been exposed to cases studies on Robbery, Homicide, & Police-Involved Shooting
• See tools used to investigate crimes, that can be used on all criminal investigations