The Utah Crime Scene Academy (Basic)

The Basic Class is an entry-level course designed to provide the new investigator with correct tools to become familiar with the evaluation, preservation, documentation and collection of commonly encountered physical evidence.  If the student does well in the class and continues to practice these skill sets upon graduation, then they can expect to develop proficiency in crime scene processing.
 

Since the majority of crime scene work is documentation, this is the focus of the course.  As such, the student will be required to bring their own SLR camera kit.  It should be noted that this course does NOT teach entry-level camera use.  The student should be very familiar with their camera, its settings and attachments. 

It is recommended that a basic photography course be taken prior to attempting this class.  For information on a basic photography offered click here.

Equipment needed:
Each student should bring the following equipment to class:
1 - Fingerprint kit
2 - DIGITAL SLR CAMERA KIT and LAPTOP (to aid in the rapid review and verification of photographs).  A DIGITAL SLR CAMERA KIT should contain the following:
     1 - Digital SLR Camera with removable lens (example 17-85 mm lens)
     2 - Detachable flash
     3 - Sync cord
     4 - Tripod
     5 - Shutter release cable (or remote control)
     6 - Macro lens.

Minimum Passing Grade:  There are four written examinations, which are given each morning at the start of class.  The student must have a cumulative score of 70% or higher to pass the class and receive credit.  There are multiple lab exercises that the student must complete and have instructor verification (sign off).  The last day of class (Friday), the students will be assemble into teams and each team will process a mock crime scene, demonstrating the skills that they have learned and practiced during the week.

Student Expectations:  The students should plan on being very busy and adjust their work schedule to compensate for this class.  To do well on the written tests, each student will need to study an average of 1-2 hours each night.  Optionally, the student may want to practice at night some of the skills that they learned during the day.  This will help the crime scene practical go smoother and lessen student anxieties.  Remember to have fun and take full advantage of this time to ask questions of these experts teaching this class and practice your newly learned techniques.

Schedule:
Monday:
8:00 to 12:00 - Crime scene management/Note taking/Probative evidence.
12:00 to 1:00 - Lunch  (Student is responsible for their own lunch)
1:00 to 6:00 - Collection/Preservation of physical evidence (packaging, trace, blood, firearms)

Tuesday:  (Exam #1)
8:00 to 12:00 - Crime scene photography.
12:00 to 1:00 - Lunch  (Student is responsible for their own lunch)
1:00 to 4:00 - Crime scene photography.
**8:00pm to 10:00pm - Night shoot, low light photography.

Wednesday:  (Exam #2)
8:00 to 11:00 - Sketching and Diagramming
11:00 to 12:00 - Lunch  (Student is responsible for their own lunch)
12:00 to 6:00 - Fingerprinting

Thursday:  (Exam #3)
8:00 to 12:00 - Bloodstain Pattern  recognition and documentation
12:00 to 1:00 - Lunch  (Student is responsible for their own lunch)
1:00 to 6:00 - Footwear and tire impressions

Friday:  (Exam #4)
8:00 to 2:00 - Crime Scene Practical  (Lunch will be provided for the Students)
2:00 to 4:00 - Crime Scene Practical Presentations and Reviews
 

To register for this course click here for the Application Form.  Once the form is filled out, please fax it to LETC at 801-282-2383.