Collecting DNA Evidence at Property Crime Scenes

This interactive training program is delivered in four modules:

1. Types of Evidence.
2. Crime Scenes.
3. Evidence Collection.
4. Combined DNA Index System (CODIS).

Those modules introduce and describe the following key concepts:

• Types of physical evidence frequently encountered at a property crime scene.
• Methods used to maintain the integrity of evidence.
• Types of crime scenes and the methods used to search and document crime scenes.
• Process used to collect, mark, and package biological evidence.
• Crime scene reporting.
• CODIS operated databases.

The objectives of the course are to educate senior-level law enforcement decisionmakers on the policy and practice issues associated with the effective use of DNA analysis so they will have the knowledge to:

• Streamline investigative processes
• Implement best practices for handling "cold hits"
• Identify the probative value of evidence and prioritize DNA evidence
• More effectively leverage limited resources
• Interact more efficiently with crime laboratories to set expectations and manage caseloads
• Understand the time and resources required from the lab to test different categories of evidence
• Avoid the steep costs that can impact the agency, the public and the practitioner's career if procedures aren't properly implemented.