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Target Audience:

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This course is designed for new and experienced death investigators, criminal investigators, crime scene, and supervisory staff assigned to law enforcement and correctional entities. 

Course Objectives:

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By the completion of the course, the students will have received instruction preparing them to demonstrate competency in the following core principles:  

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Module I:

 

Fundamentals of Death and Criminal Investigations

• Introduction to Death case Investigations: Definition, Criteria, and Importance

• Legal and Ethical Considerations in criminal investigations 

• Historical Evolution of Techniques and Best Practices

• The Role of investigators in the Criminal Justice System

• Officer Involved Shooting investigative principles and steps

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Module II:

 

Forensic Science and Investigative Techniques

• Importance Forensic Technology: DNA Analysis, Forensic Pathology, and Digital Forensics

• Reopening a Cold Case: Investigative Steps and Techniques

• Scene Reconstruction, Evidence Analysis, and Victim/Suspect Profiling

• Psychological Aspects: Offender Behavior, Victimology, and Impact on Witness Testimony

 

Module III:

 

Case Management, Documentation, and Community Engagement

• Effective Management and Documentation Strategies for Cold Cases

• Utilizing Databases and Information Sharing

• Community and Media Relations: Public Engagement, Managing Expectations, and Using Social Media

 

Module IV:

 

Practical Application and Case Studies

• Group Exercises: Mock Cold Case Investigations

• Analysis of Notable Cold Case Studies and Lessons Learned

• Guest Lectures by Experienced Cold Case Investigators

• Interagency Collaboration and Cross-Jurisdictional Challenges

 

Module V:

 

Challenges, Future Directions, and Course Assessment

• Current and Emerging Challenges in Cold Case Investigations

• Future Trends and Advances in Cold Case Solving Techniques

• Funding, Resources, and Advocacy for Cold Cases

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Instructor(s): 

To Be Assigned 

Instructor Background: 

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PSTA instructors are active law enforcement professionals from major city law enforcement departments with vast specialized experience in their fields. Through their acquired experience in their fields, they understand the needs of departments ranging in size of staff. 

 

PSTA instructors are certified law enforcement instructors that provide relevant real-time information in areas of leadership, major criminal investigations, internal affairs investigations, and logistics & planning.   

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