Included in this section are some videos showcasing some of our most popular training modules-fingerprint, crime scene investigation, and forensic photography. Each of our main modules offers over 30 hours of hands-on training and are taught by forensic experts.

These videos are from Forensic Science Academy Class #28. Please note some of these instructors seen are past Forensic Science Academy instructors. Although the instructors change, the core of our training modules remain the same with each module being instructed by a forensic expert.

Also included is a testimonial from one of our former students, J.P.

“The Forensic Science Academy”

The “Forensic Science Academy” is offered once a year. The goal of The Forensic Science Academy is to prepare students with the most contemporary, investigative, and scientific techniques now available in the Forensic field, thereby enabling the students to meet the growing demand for skilled crime scene investigators, fingerprint classifiers, coroner trainees, law enforcement technicians, and other related positions in the Administration of Justice field.

The classes include Fingerprint Identification, Forensic Photography, Crime Scene Investigation, Death Investigation, and Friction Skin Comparison. The entire course encompasses approximately 200 hours of training per year. All instructors are recognized experts in their respective field.

Fingerprinting/Pattern Identification/Sequencing/Dusting and Lifting

This competency-based course prepares students for entry-level positions as a fingerprint examiner. The student will be able to complete all skills that are required to test for this job, including:

• Rolling a clear, proper set of inked ten prints and palm prints
• Knowledge of the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS)
• Understand the California Identification System as well as the Live-Scan
• Classify fingerprints according to the rules of the Henry Classification filing system
• Perform the basic comparison and identification of fingerprints
• Prepare for an oral interview
• Practice for practical exercise that could be given as part of the hiring requirement.
• Determine useable latent prints
• Demonstrate which powders to apply on various surface
• Demonstrate proper lifting techniques
• Understand how to develop and preserve latent prints

Forensic Photography

This competency-based course prepares students for entry-level positions as a forensic photographer. The student will be able to complete all skills that are required to test for this job, including:

• Understand the procedures used by law enforcement and forensic photographers
• Interpret laws with regard to crime scene photography
• Demonstrate camera formats and types of film
• Prepare photographs utilizing the following viewpoints, general exterior, general interior, mid-range, close up, aerial and specific scene photography

Crime Scene Investigation

This competency-based course prepares students for entry-level positions as a crime scene investigator. The student will be able to complete all skills that are required to test for this job, including:

• Understand the procedure for entering and securing a crime scene
• Set up protocol for the collection and preservation of evidence utilizing safety standards
• Identify and classify the types of physical evidence
• Prepare a written report of evidence collected
• Demonstrate the qualities needed for an oral interview
• Practice for practical exercises that could be given as part of the hiring requirement

Death Investigation

This competency-based course prepares students for entry-level positions as a coroner investigator trainee, transport officer, and autopsy technician. The student will be able to complete all skills that are required to test for this job, including:

• Identify the steps taken in conducting a homicide, suicide, accidental and natural cause of death investigation
• Understand and identify various parts of the body and how their condition relates to the cause of death
• Discuss the various means of making estimations of time and death
• Interpret and identify types of wounds, determining probable causes and weapons used

Advanced Crime Scene Investigation

This competency-based course prepares students for entry-level positions as a crime scene investigator. The student will be able to complete all skills that are required to test for this job, including:

• Understand the procedure for entering and securing a crime scene
• Set up protocol for the collection and preservation of evidence utilizing safety standards
• Identify and classify the types of physical evidence
• Demonstrate use of chemical processing to develop and enhance fingerprint
• Calculate distance to target using gun shot residue pattern technique
• Calculate the blood spatter pattern to determine the angle of blood for reconstruction of the crime scene
• Prepare a written report of evidence collected

Fiction Skin Comparison/Ridgeology

This competency-based course prepares students for the entry-level positions as a fingerprint examiner. The student will be able to complete all skills that are required to test for this job, including:

• Discuss the various forensic historians and their contribution to the science of fingerprint comparison technology; also known as Ridgeology.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the structure of the skin with a 100% accuracy on a comparison test
• Discuss and understand the methodology of friction skin ridge identification
• Identify and interpret the identity of friction ridge patterns and their development
• Compare a package of fingerprints using your magnifying glass and pointer