Forensics for Detectives
Scotch Plains, NJ · Oct 26–28, 2026 · 24 hours · $375.00
Instructor
Melissa Fernandez
Description
Built specifically for detectives and supervisors, this 3-day course delivers practical forensic insight that can be applied immediately to active and future casework. Participants will strengthen their ability to interpret crime scenes, recognize critical evidence, and connect forensic observations to investigative strategy.
Attendees will leave with a sharper, more disciplined approach to case evaluation—equipped to improve investigative decision-making, enhance interviews, support stronger reports, and present findings with greater confidence in court. This course is ideal for detectives handling property crimes, violent crimes, death investigations, and complex scenes where forensic interpretation can make the difference.
Course Objectives:
• Recognize, prioritize, and evaluate physical evidence at crime scenes
• Conduct more effective interviews by using crime scene observations to guide questioning
• Identify spatter and non-spatter bloodstain patterns and utilize that data during interviews
• Apply key principles of shooting incident reconstruction to investigative analysis
• Recognize indicators of staged crime scenes
• Differentiate key forensic considerations in death investigations, including homicide and suicide
• Translate forensic observations into clear, defensible investigative reports
• Strengthen courtroom testimony by clearly explaining forensic findings and investigative conclusions
Attendees will leave with a sharper, more disciplined approach to case evaluation—equipped to improve investigative decision-making, enhance interviews, support stronger reports, and present findings with greater confidence in court. This course is ideal for detectives handling property crimes, violent crimes, death investigations, and complex scenes where forensic interpretation can make the difference.
Course Objectives:
• Recognize, prioritize, and evaluate physical evidence at crime scenes
• Conduct more effective interviews by using crime scene observations to guide questioning
• Identify spatter and non-spatter bloodstain patterns and utilize that data during interviews
• Apply key principles of shooting incident reconstruction to investigative analysis
• Recognize indicators of staged crime scenes
• Differentiate key forensic considerations in death investigations, including homicide and suicide
• Translate forensic observations into clear, defensible investigative reports
• Strengthen courtroom testimony by clearly explaining forensic findings and investigative conclusions
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