Regular Tuition: $249 pp
Early Registration: $219 pp
Groups of 5 or More Attendees? Contact us for Discounted Pricing (office@jharristraining.org)
The success of any criminal investigation depends on the proper preservation of evidence from the moment the first officer arrives. Long before crime scene specialists or forensic experts reach the scene, first responders are responsible for protecting evidence, preventing contamination, and making critical decisions that can directly impact the outcome of an investigation and subsequent prosecution.
Crime Scene Management: Preserving the Evidence is a practical, one-day course designed for patrol officers, detectives, supervisors, investigators, and other law enforcement personnel who may be responsible for securing and managing crime scenes when specialized crime scene personnel are unavailable or delayed. Participants will gain the knowledge and practical skills necessary to preserve the integrity of physical evidence while maintaining a safe, organized, and legally defensible crime scene.
This course examines the responsibilities of the first responding officer/supervisor, including scene assessment, officer safety, emergency response considerations, establishing and maintaining scene security, protecting transient evidence, preventing contamination, identifying and documenting evidence, maintaining chain of custody, and preparing the scene for investigators and forensic personnel. Participants will also learn proper methods for documenting crime scenes through notes, photography, sketches, and diagrams, as well as the appropriate collection, packaging, and preservation of common types of physical evidence.
Instruction also addresses legal considerations, search authority, supervisory responsibilities, common investigative mistakes, and practical strategies for ensuring evidence remains admissible and reliable throughout the criminal justice process. Through real-world case studies, interactive discussion, and best-practice instruction, participants will develop the confidence to make sound decisions during the most critical stages of an investigation.
Whether responding to a burglary, robbery, homicide, assault, fatal crash, or other major incident, the first officer and/or supervisor on the scene plays a vital role in preserving the truth. This course equips law enforcement professionals with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to protect the evidence, strengthen investigations, and support successful prosecutions through effective crime scene management.
