Detectives and forensic investigators are frequently summoned to scenes of violence involving firearms. Whether the incident is a criminal act, an act of self-defense, or the use of deadly force by law enforcement, the outcomes of these investigations have far-reaching consequences. Investigators must understand firearms related evidence and how to document it so facts surrounding these incidents can be identified and accurately presented.
This 3 day (24-hour) course teaches the student how to properly interpret firearms related physical evidence, and to document the scene through notetaking, diagramming, and photography. Trajectory documentation through the use of rods, lasers, strings, protractors and mathematics is included.
This course is designed as an introduction to the 40-hour Shooting Incident Reconstruction course, or as a stand-alone course for preserving information for shooting scene reconstruction.
Course content:
- Proper identification and documentation of firearms-related evidence.
- Methodology for proper photography of shooting incident scenes.
- Characteristics of bullet defects in various substrate materials.
- Presumptive testing of suspected bullet defects.
- Common laboratory submittals, capabilities and expectations.
- Trajectory identification through rodding, laser, stringing and trigonometry.
- Documentation of bullet defects and trajectories in contoured targets.
All concepts and methods are reinforced through hands-on practical exercises. This course does not include live-fire exercises.
Class Requirements:
Course is designed to develop knowledge and “hands-on” experience for shooting incident scene documentation. Prior investigative or crime scene experience is helpful but not required. Attendees should bring a camera for documenting evidence and an electronic device with USB connection, preferably a laptop computer, to access and save digital handouts, course materials, and fillable forms used in lecture and practical exercises.
Note: The Shooting Incident Documentation Course is sponsored through TriTech Forensics, the training partner for the International Association of Identification (IAI). Visit www.tritechtraining.com or contact Phil Sanfilippo, 954-806-2123 phil@tritechusa.com to host or register for a course.
Student Testimonials
“Instructors extremely well prepared! Excellent course! Highly recommended!” Wauwatosa, WI
“ I have learned so much in this one week in a practical approach that encompasses a great deal of scenarios we would see on the job. The instructors were very knowledgeable and had a way with explaining things that made it click. Thank you!” Wauwatosa, WI
“One of the best, most helpful courses I have attended in 14 years of CSI work” K. P., Independence MO PD
“Both instructors did an excellent job. I look forward to future classes with them. This was a positive and excellent skill building and experience gaining class. I highly recommend other investigators to attend.” D. P. Waukesha, WI PD
“Both Instructors are vastly experienced, highly professional, and are obviously leaders in their field. They went the extra miles (plural) by putting in no end of effort and worked 14 hours a day to see that every attendee got the most from the course. I’m honored to have learned from them and look forward to working with them.” Dan O’Kelly, Lander WY
“One of the best courses I’ve taken. I learned a lot and the instructors are very approachable and willing to answer questions.” Lander WY
The class was worthwhile and I learned a lot. The information you and Iris taught I had not been exposed to before, and will be very helpful in future shooting incidents. This class was by far the best instruction I have received since I have been a detective. You and Iris are both very knowledgeable, and I appreciated all the examples you shared from your LE experiences. Hopefully you and Iris can make it back to Lander next year for another class. R Lutterman, Lander WY
“Overall an excellent class. Instructors were well prepared, skilled, and provided an excellent learning experience”. Wauwatosa WI
Thanks for all your hard work. I did find the class useful and 14 hours after it ended I was on the scene of an officer involved shooting with over 70 shots fired, documenting bullet strikes on a squad car, sorting out preliminary trajectories on a shot up dumpster, explaining sheet metal bullet defects to other investigators who insisted they knew the caliber of the weapon causing the hole, using ricochet marks to predict where to find secondary bullet strikes as well as other class taught skills. Then the day after that found myself on another shooting scene using the skills learned in class to sequence a window break from gun fire, documenting an entry wound abrasion ring, and using class skills to make much better measurements and documentation at the scene. Seems my department received a return on investment in whole in about 72 hours. Thanks for making me better at this. Sincerely S.K.
“Gary was very patient – great presenter – one of the best instructors I have ever had.” Ottawa, ON
“Iris is clearly an expert in her field. I wish she lived closer. Fantastic teaching ability and understanding” Ottawa, ON
“I want to thank you and Iris for the fine service you provided to our area. Not only did you convey to us a lot of information in a relatively short period of time, you were able to do this in a manner that was inspirational and lasting. I’m not the best at these kinds of math problems, but your instruction and instructional aids were very important to bring me up to speed. I learned a lot from your course and will look to attend your other courses, just to be able to learn some more. Also, count on me to spread the word about your fine work”. TB Everett Washington