Homicide Scene Management for Patrol 

COST: $155.00

Course objective is to train the patrol officer or first responder how to handle and approach a homicide or violent crime scene prior to the arrival of scene investigators. All too often mistakes are made at these types of scenes which can have a damaging ripple effect throughout the entire investigations. Many patrol officers lack the training and basic understanding of managing the scene of a homicide and avoiding too much traffic and cross contamination, while at the same time establishing safe boundaries that will encompass all of the physical evidence. Crime scene management begins with the arrival of the first officer on scene and continues on through both scene and homicide investigators. We all have certain responsibilities at various levels of a homicide investigation as it applies to the scene.

The most important and often overlooked are the responsibilities of patrol. Know what to do before critical errors and possibly the loss of vital evidence takes place. It’s always been a simple rule in homicide investigation; how the initial scene is handled by patrol has a profound effect on the entire investigation. This one day class is designed to benefit those in patrol so they may understand what role they play not only in the initial securing of a homicide scene, but also provides them with a good understanding of physical evidence recognition, preservation and documentation. Because patrol officers cannot often times have days off for training resulting from manpower restrictions, this course has been condensed to 8 hours to make it easier for them to attend. The instructor for this course is Inv. David Newman (Ret.) from the Norfolk Police Department in Virginia.  

Course Outline

• The Response To The Scene And Scene Safety
• Fourth Amendment Issues And Cursory Searching Of The Scene
• Recognizing Physical Evidence Within The Scene
• Proper Marking Of Evidence At Outdoor Scenes
• Recognizing & Pronouncing Death
• Establishing Proper Boundaries For Both Indoor And Outdoor Scenes
• Primary Scenes Versus Secondary Scenes
• Notification Of Investigators And Determining Need For Manpower
• Handling Witnesses, Suspects And The Media At The Initial Scene
• Recognizing Exigent Circumstances And The Impact On Physical Evidence
• Documenting The Initial Scene And Identifying Events Created By Rescue Personnel
• Establishing The Scene Log And Accountability
• Interaction With Supervisors At The Crime Scene
• Practical Review Through Actual Cases And Identifying Contamination