Crime Scene / Forensic Technician

This foundational course equips learners with the safety protocols, technical mathematics, communication skills, and career knowledge required to enter the crime scene forensic technician field. Students earn OSHA 10-Hour General Industry certification and First Aid/CPR credentials while developing the measurement, documentation, and professional skills that underpin every subsequent course in the program. Lesson content is directly mapped to the evidence-handling, documentation, and professional-conduct domains tested in the IAI CCSI and State Evidence Tech Cert credentialing exams.

How the course runs. 7 blocks: Hazard Recognition and OSHA 10 for Crime Scene Environments; First Aid, CPR, and Scene Medical Emergencies; Trade Math and Measurement for Forensic Documentation; Technical Reading and Forensic Vocabulary; Objective Writing, Field Notes, and Incident Narratives; Digital Tools for Case Documentation and Data Management; Professional Ethics, Credential Pathways, and Career Readiness.

What competent looks like. Demonstrate compliance with OSHA bloodborne pathogen standards, hazard communication requirements, and correct PPE selection for crime scene environments. Apply unit conversion, scale measurement, area/volume calculation, and basic statistics to forensic documentation tasks with at least 90% accuracy. Read, interpret, and summarize technical forensic reports, chain-of-custody forms, and laboratory documents using discipline-specific vocabulary. Produce clear, objective written notes, incident narratives, and professional emails that meet law-enforcement documentation standards. Use standard digital tools—word processing, spreadsheets, and case-management software—to organize and present forensic data accurately. Identify the credential pathways (IAI CCSI, IAI Latent Print Cert, State Evidence Tech Cert), their eligibility requirements, and the ethical standards governing forensic technicians.

Students learn to create a complete, court-admissible record of a crime scene using systematic search patterns, field notes, hand-drawn sketches, total-station and laser-distance measurement, and digital still/video photography. Emphasis is placed on accuracy, reproducibility, and the documentation standards required by IAI CCSI examination areas and state evidence technician certification. Every skill is practiced under realistic conditions so that the scene record can survive cross-examination and support downstream evidence analysis.

How the course runs. 12 blocks: Documentation Purpose, Legal Standards & Scene Safety Entry; Camera Fundamentals: Exposure, Focus & Depth of Field; The Overview–Mid-Range–Close-Up Photography Sequence; Outdoor & Low-Light Scene Photography; Field Notes: Systematic Recording & Scene Narrative; Rough Sketching: Measurement Techniques & Hand-Drawn Diagrams; Finished Scale Diagrams Using CAD-Lite or Drawing Software; Laser Distance Measurers & Entry-Level Total Station Operation; Video Documentation & Drone/Aerial Overview Awareness; Documentation Errors, Quality Control & Peer Review; Integrated Scene Documentation Exercise — Full Simulation; IAI CCSI Documentation Exam Area Review & Mock Written Assessment.

What competent looks like. Photograph an outdoor and indoor crime scene using the overview-mid-range-close-up sequence, producing images that meet IAI CCSI documentation standards with correct exposure, focus, and scale markers. Produce a hand-drawn rough sketch and a finished scale diagram of a crime scene containing at least five items of evidence, using triangulation and baseline measurement accurate to ±0.1 ft. Operate a laser distance measurer and an entry-level total station to collect coordinate data and generate a simple scene plot. Write a complete scene examination report — including agency information, date/time, weather, personnel, narrative, and itemized evidence list — free of ambiguity and consistent with the photographic and sketch record. Apply all scene-entry safety protocols, including PPE donning sequence, contamination-avoidance paths, and biohazard scene controls, before touching any documentation equipment. Identify and correct at least five common documentation errors (missing scale, unlabeled north arrow, broken photo sequence, measurement transposition, incomplete chain-of-custody notation) during a simulated peer-review exercise.

Students learn the systematic methods for recognizing, documenting, collecting, packaging, and preserving physical evidence at crime scenes in accordance with accepted forensic standards. The course covers legal and scientific chain-of-custody requirements from first contact with evidence through laboratory submission and courtroom presentation. Competencies directly support the IAI CCSI exam domains for evidence handling and the State Evidence Tech Cert legal requirements.

How the course runs. 12 blocks: Legal Foundations of Evidence and the Fourth Amendment; Chain of Custody: Principles, Documentation, and Legal Weight; PPE, Contamination Control, and Scene Safety for Evidence Collectors; Crime Scene Search Patterns and Evidence Prioritization; Evidence Recognition and Prioritization by Category; Collection Techniques for Biological Evidence; Collection and Packaging of Trace, Impression, and Toolmark Evidence; Collection of Digital and Electronic Evidence; Packaging, Sealing, and Labeling Standards; Evidence Submission, Property Room Procedures, and Lab Intake; Courtroom Admissibility, Daubert/Frye Standards, and Testimony Foundations; Integrated Evidence Collection Practical: Full Scene Simulation.

What competent looks like. Demonstrate proper recognition, prioritization, and collection of at least eight classes of physical evidence using agency-standard techniques without contaminating the sample. Complete legally defensible chain-of-custody documentation for every item collected, traceable from scene to lab, with zero unaccounted transfers. Select and apply the correct packaging material and preservation method for biological, chemical, trace, and digital evidence in accordance with current forensic guidelines. Explain the legal basis for evidence admissibility, including Fourth Amendment considerations, and articulate how improper collection or custody breaks can render evidence inadmissible. Perform scene search patterns (grid, spiral, zone, strip) and justify pattern selection based on scene type, size, and evidence distribution. Apply required personal protective equipment and decontamination procedures for each evidence category to prevent cross-contamination and protect personal safety.

Students develop hands-on competency in the full latent-print workflow: developing and recovering prints from a wide range of substrates using physical and chemical methods, documenting and lifting results, and performing ACE-V comparison to link or exclude a suspect print. The course maps directly to the IAI Certified Crime Scene Investigator (CCSI) and IAI Latent Print Certification exam domains, with safety and chain-of-custody discipline integrated throughout every lab session.

How the course runs. 12 blocks: Friction Ridge Skin: Anatomy, Formation, and Persistence; Safety, PPE, and Chemical Hygiene for Latent-Print Work; Fingerprint Classification, Terminology, and Level-Detail Analysis; Powder Development: Techniques and Substrate Selection; Lifting Techniques and Evidence Packaging; Chemical Development: Cyanoacrylate Fuming; Chemical Development: Amino-Acid Reagents on Porous Surfaces; Alternate Light Source (ALS) and Fingerprint Photography; ACE-V Methodology: Principles and Controlled Practice; AFIS: Entry, Searching, and Candidate Evaluation; Integrated Scene Simulation: Full Latent-Print Workflow; Review, Competency Self-Assessment, and Exam Mapping.

What competent looks like. Select and apply the correct development technique—powder, chemical, or alternate light source—based on substrate type and contamination conditions. Lift, package, label, and submit latent-print evidence in strict compliance with chain-of-custody requirements. Photograph developed latent prints with scale and oblique lighting to produce court-admissible images. Apply the ACE-V methodology (Analysis, Comparison, Evaluation, Verification) to reach a documented, defensible conclusion on print identification or exclusion. Operate an AFIS terminal to enter an unknown print and interpret candidate matches for follow-up manual comparison. Work safely with all chemical developers—cyanoacrylate, ninhydrin, DFO, physical developer—using required PPE, ventilation controls, and chemical hygiene procedures consistent with OSHA and laboratory safety standards.

Students learn to recognize, document, collect, and package bloodstain pattern evidence and trace materials—including hair, fiber, glass, and soil—using established forensic science principles and chain-of-custody procedures. Emphasis is placed on scene safety when working with biological hazards, accurate field notation, and defensible laboratory submission practices. Lesson content maps directly to the IAI CCSI examination domains covering physical evidence recognition and processing.

How the course runs. 12 blocks: Biological Hazard Safety and Bloodborne-Pathogen PPE; Donning, Doffing, and Decontamination Drill; Introduction to Bloodstain Pattern Analysis: Terminology and Classification; The Physics of Blood Droplets: Shape, Angle, and Directionality; Area of Origin: Stringing and Trigonometric Methods; Transfer, Wipe, Swipe, and Void Patterns: Interpretation and Documentation; Biological Evidence Collection: Swabbing, Cutting, and Packaging; Hair and Fiber Evidence: Recognition, Collection, and Microscopic Characteristics; Glass Fracture Analysis and Collection; Soil and Paint Transfer Evidence; Scene Integration: Bloodstain and Trace Evidence in a Mock Scene; Report Writing, Courtroom Standards, and IAI CCSI Exam Mapping.

What competent looks like. Identify and classify bloodstain patterns (passive, projected, transfer) using accepted BPA terminology and communicate findings in written scene notes. Demonstrate proper bloodborne-pathogen PPE selection, donning/doffing, and decontamination procedures in compliance with OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030). Collect, package, and label biological and trace evidence samples following chain-of-custody protocols that satisfy State Evidence Tech Cert and IAI CCSI standards. Apply basic trigonometric and geometric methods to determine area of origin for convergent bloodstain patterns. Recognize, collect, and preserve trace evidence categories—hair, synthetic fiber, glass fractures, soil, and paint transfer—without contamination. Complete accurate examination-quality field sketches, scene notes, and evidence submission forms for bloodstain and trace evidence scenes.

This course introduces crime scene and forensic technicians to the recognition, documentation, collection, and preservation of digital evidence found at crime scenes, including mobile devices, computers, storage media, and surveillance systems. Students learn first-responder protocols that protect digital evidence integrity and maintain an unbroken chain of custody without conducting in-depth forensic analysis, which is the domain of certified digital forensic examiners. Lesson content maps directly to the digital evidence handling competencies tested in the IAI CCSI exam and to state evidence technician certification requirements.

How the course runs. 12 blocks: What Is Digital Evidence: Types, Sources, and Legal Context; Safety and Legal Boundaries at Digital Evidence Scenes; First-Responder Protocols: Computers and Storage Media; First-Responder Protocols: Mobile Devices; Surveillance Systems and Vehicle Telematics as Evidence; Chain of Custody for Digital Evidence; Packaging and Transportation of Digital Evidence; Photography and Documentation of Digital Evidence In Situ; Cloud Evidence, Social Media, and Networked Devices; Anti-Forensic Awareness: Recognizing Tampering and Destruction; Report Writing for Digital Evidence; Integrated Digital Evidence Scene Exercise.

What competent looks like. Identify and classify common types of digital evidence (computers, mobile devices, removable storage, surveillance systems, and networked devices) found at crime scenes and articulate the legal and evidentiary significance of each. Apply first-responder protocols—including device isolation, Faraday shielding, and power-state decisions—to preserve digital evidence in a forensically sound condition before submission to a digital forensics laboratory. Document digital evidence completely using photography, sketching, notes, and chain-of-custody forms in accordance with department policy and accepted forensic standards. Package and transport digital evidence using appropriate anti-static, anti-electromagnetic containers and materials while maintaining an unbroken, court-defensible chain of custody. Recognize the legal authorities—including search warrants, consent, and exigent circumstances—required to seize digital evidence, and describe when to stop and consult legal counsel or a supervisor. Explain testimony fundamentals related to digital evidence, including articulating first-responder actions taken, limitations of field handling, and the role of the laboratory examiner, in plain language suitable for a jury.

This course prepares forensic technicians to present physical evidence, written reports, and expert opinions in criminal and civil proceedings with accuracy, clarity, and professional credibility. Students learn the legal framework governing expert witnesses, practice direct and cross-examination, and develop the documentation habits that withstand judicial scrutiny. Lesson content maps directly to the courtroom-testimony and report-writing competency areas tested in the IAI CCSI and State Evidence Tech Cert examinations.

How the course runs. 12 blocks: The Legal System and the Forensic Technician's Role; Rules of Evidence Governing Physical and Demonstrative Exhibits; Writing the Court-Ready Forensic Report; Preparing to Testify: Review, Coordination, and Pre-Trial Meetings; Direct Examination Techniques; Cross-Examination: Tactics, Challenges, and Staying Credible; Presenting and Authenticating Forensic Photographs in Court; Testifying About Latent Prints and Scientific Methodology; Bloodstain Pattern and Trace Evidence Testimony; Digital Evidence Testimony and Chain of Custody for Electronic Items; Professional Conduct, Demeanor, and Ethics in Court; Full Simulated Trial: Integrated Testimony Capstone.

What competent looks like. Explain the roles and obligations of a fact witness versus an expert witness under the Federal Rules of Evidence and articulate how state rules may differ. Prepare a court-ready forensic report that is accurate, objective, free of jargon, and fully supported by chain-of-custody documentation. Testify clearly and accurately on direct examination, answering only what is asked without volunteering unsupported conclusions. Respond to cross-examination tactics—including hypotheticals, leading questions, and challenges to methodology—without becoming defensive or changing truthful testimony. Lay proper foundation for the admission of photographs, physical evidence, and demonstrative exhibits following applicable rules of evidence. Demonstrate professional courtroom conduct, appearance, and demeanor that upholds the neutrality and credibility of the forensic technician role.

Students apply the evidence collection, latent print, bloodstain, trace, and digital evidence skills learned in earlier courses inside a controlled laboratory setting, processing simulated and real case materials from intake through written findings. Emphasis is placed on validated methods, documented chain of custody, quality-assurance protocols, and the production of lab reports that meet court admissibility standards. This course bridges classroom knowledge and the externship by requiring students to perform full processing workflows independently under instructor supervision.

How the course runs. 12 blocks: Laboratory Orientation, Safety Rules, and Chemical Hygiene; Evidence Intake, Packaging Standards, and Chain of Custody in the Lab; Laboratory Documentation: Notes, Worksheets, and Report Writing; Latent Print Development — Porous Surfaces; Latent Print Development — Non-Porous and Challenging Surfaces; Biological Evidence: Presumptive and Confirmatory Screening; Trace Evidence: Collection, Preparation, and Microscopic Examination; Bloodstain Pattern Analysis in the Lab Setting; Digital Evidence Handling and Forensic Imaging in the Lab; Quality Assurance, Proficiency Testing, and Error Identification; Integrated Case Processing: Full Workflow Simulation; Lab Practicum Final Review and Credential Mapping.

What competent looks like. Process submitted items of physical evidence from intake through final disposition using documented chain-of-custody procedures with zero unaccounted transfers. Apply at least four validated latent-print development techniques and correctly document each result with scale photography and comparison notes. Prepare quantitative and qualitative examination notes and a formal lab report that conforms to current SWGMAT/OSAC documentation guidelines. Perform presumptive biological and chemical screening tests following laboratory standard operating procedures and record results with appropriate limitations language. Demonstrate safe handling, storage, and disposal of laboratory chemicals and biohazardous materials in full compliance with OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen and Chemical Hygiene Plan standards. Identify and correct at least three common sources of contamination or procedural error in a mock quality-assurance review exercise.

Students conduct a full end-to-end simulated crime scene investigation — from scene security and documentation through evidence collection, latent print processing, bloodstain pattern observation, chain of custody management, and final case report — demonstrating every competency built across the program. The capstone culminates in a formal oral defense before a panel of instructors and, where available, a working practitioner, mirroring the professional accountability required of a certified crime scene technician. Performance on each deliverable is mapped to IAI CCSI and Latent Print certification exam domains and to State Evidence Technician standards.

How the course runs. 4 blocks: Case Planning and Scene Security: Pre-Investigation Protocol; Scene Execution: Documentation, Evidence Collection, and Latent Print Processing; Case File Assembly, Quality Review, and Error Correction; Oral Defense: Case Presentation and Expert Testimony Simulation.

What competent looks like. Plan, execute, and document a multi-area simulated crime scene investigation that meets IAI CCSI examination standards for scene processing methodology. Produce a complete, legally defensible case file — including scene sketches, photographic logs, evidence inventories, chain-of-custody records, and a written final report — with no critical chain-of-custody breaks. Apply latent print detection, development, lifting, and comparison techniques to unknown samples and document findings in a format consistent with IAI Latent Print certification requirements. Analyze and accurately document bloodstain patterns and trace evidence observations using accepted terminology and scientific principles covered in Courses 4 and 5. Deliver a structured oral defense of case findings, methodology, and conclusions to a review panel, responding competently to technical and legal challenge questions. Identify and correct errors in a deliberately flawed case file, demonstrating quality-assurance and peer-review skills needed in professional crime scene units.

Students complete 324 supervised hours at an approved law enforcement agency, forensic laboratory, or medical examiner's office, applying all program skills under the direct oversight of a credentialed field supervisor. Rotations expose students to real casework documentation, evidence handling, latent print processing, and courtroom support tasks. A structured employer evaluation and a reflective log provide evidence of professional readiness for the IAI CCSI, IAI Latent Print Cert, and State Evidence Tech Cert.

How the course runs. 4 blocks: Orientation, Safety Compliance, and Agency Protocol Review; Rotation 1 – Scene Documentation, Photography, and Evidence Collection; Rotation 2 – Latent Print Processing, Trace Evidence Support, and Digital Evidence Handling; Integrated Performance Review and Professional Portfolio Completion.

What competent looks like. Perform crime scene documentation, photography, and sketching on actual or simulated casework under supervisor direction, meeting agency quality standards. Collect, package, label, and transfer physical and digital evidence following agency chain-of-custody protocols without supervisor correction. Process latent prints using agency-approved powders, chemical reagents, or alternate light sources and document results in the case file. Communicate professionally in written reports and verbal briefings consistent with evidentiary and courtroom admissibility standards. Comply with agency safety, PPE, and biohazard protocols throughout all rotations without a recorded safety violation. Receive a passing composite score on the employer midpoint and final evaluation forms, demonstrating entry-level professional competence.

This course systematically reviews every domain tested on the IAI Certified Crime Scene Investigator exam, the IAI Latent Print Certification exam, and the State Evidence Technician Certification, using timed practice sets, case-based drills, and full-length mock exams to build both content mastery and test-taking stamina. Learners identify personal weak areas early, complete targeted remediation, and finish the course having sat at least two full simulated exams under proctored conditions. Emphasis is placed on exam strategy, precise technical vocabulary, and the ability to apply classroom and externship experience to multiple-choice and performance-based question formats.

How the course runs. 4 blocks: Domain Mapping and Diagnostic Assessment; Targeted Domain Review: CCSI and Evidence Tech Content; Targeted Domain Review: IAI Latent Print Certification Content; Full Mock Certification Exams and Final Readiness Debrief.

What competent looks like. Correctly answer practice questions at or above the IAI CCSI passing standard across all published exam content domains, including scene documentation, evidence collection, photography, and courtroom procedures. Correctly answer practice questions at or above the IAI Latent Print Certification passing standard across domains covering fingerprint science, comparison methodology, AFIS concepts, and court presentation. Demonstrate command of State Evidence Technician Certification content areas, including chain-of-custody law, evidence packaging standards, and agency documentation requirements. Apply structured test-taking strategies—time management, elimination of distractors, flagging uncertain items—to full-length timed mock exams without external assistance. Produce a personal exam-readiness plan that schedules remaining self-study, identifies two to three weak content areas with specific remediation resources, and lists all registration deadlines and required documentation for each credential. Score at or above the target passing threshold on a full-length proctored mock exam for each of the three credentials before the program end date.