Course Overview

Course: DNA Evidence for the Law Enforcement Professional
Course Setup and Overview

Welcome and Background:

Thank you for taking our course!

The original training program was part of the “President's DNA Initiative: Advancing Justice Through DNA Technology" and was made possible by a cooperative agreement (#2004CKWXK013) awarded by the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, U.S. Department of Justice. Development for on-line use was funded through a grant from the National Science Foundation 0501722 “ Investigative Sciences and Law Enforcement Technology (ISLET) Project “ and was a collaboration between 1 Century Community College and the 2 Upper Midwest Community Policing Institute.

The original course was designed to be delivered in a classroom environment. the ISLET initiative has adopted the course materials, and created the online version to reach a wider audience.

Intended Audience

This program is intended for law enforcement and law enforcement personnel involved with the identification, collection and preservation of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) evidence. It can be adapted for any group interested in sharing the responsibility of ensuring the integrity and use of DNA evidence. The overall goal of the program is to give law enforcement and other criminal justice professionals the information they need concerning the collection and usage of DNA evidence so that critical pieces of evidence will be collected, fewer cases will be jeopardized by the mishandling of evidence, and more cases will be solved by the proper use of this technology. This information will enhance their ability to make sound, DNA evidence collection decisions. This program will create a context in which evidence identification, collection, transportation, storage and usage can be applied to scenario-based situations. Participants will have the opportunity to apply newly acquired knowledge by working in crime scene simulation exercises.

Intended Outcomes:

From this course you should develop:

• Knowledge - Deepening your understanding of DNA
• Technical Skills - Enhanced ability to apply what you've learned to investigations
• Interpersonal Skills - Improved ability to gain cooperation and to obtain information more effectively as an investigator

More specifically, upon completion of this course you will be able to:

• Define DNA
• Explain the relationship between the collection and usage of DNA to the community policing philosophy
• Identify the critical issues surrounding DNA
• Explain the advantages to DNA evidence usage
• Recognize the types of evidence which provide DNA
• Recognize shortcomings of relying solely on DNA evidence
• Discuss DNA testing methodologies
• Examine the DNA database and its uses
• Explain the use of CODIS for law enforcement purposes
• Put DNA knowledge into practice
• Describe proper collection methodologies
• Identify proper packaging procedures
• Explain proper transport and chain of custody
• Define biohazards and safety procedures
• Explore ownership and access rights
• Discuss sample consumption and destruction
• Explain the process of cold case testing
• Review implications of post conviction testing
• Recognize the time requirements for analysis
• Apply knowledge through the crime scene scenarios

Course Overview:

Module 1: Introduction to DNA
1. What do you know? What are your expectations? Write them and keep them for future reference.
2. The relationship between DNA and Community Policing
3. The Crime Scene: Definitions, Legal Considerations and DNA Evidence
4. What is DNA? Where does it come from?

Module2: Evidence Identification: Where to Find DNA?
1. Review the process for preparing to enter a crime scene.
2. Demonstrate bio-safety techniques in evidence collection.
3. Examine evidence detection techniques.
4. Identify unusual sources of DNA.
5. Discuss loss and contamination prevention techniques for evidence collection.
6. Review potential sources of DNA at a crime scene.
7. Put DNA knowledge into practice.

Module 3: DNA: Evidence Collection and Preservation
1. Review crime scene scenario for potential sources of DNA.
2. Identify proper collection techniques for DNA evidence.
3. Identify bio-safety techniques in evidence collection.
4. Identify appropriate storage techniques for DNA evidence.
5. Put DNA collection and preservation knowledge into practice through the Crime Scene Process Chart exercise.

Module 4: Solving Crime with DNA
1. Describe how DNA analysis can be used to develop investigative leads.
2. Examine the uses of DNA evidence for law enforcement and the criminal justice system.
3. Discuss the development and expansion of DNA databanks.
4. Define the difference between a DNA “hit” and “miss.”
5. Explain the development and use of CODIS .
6. Examine the impact databanks have on solving crimes locally and nationally. 7. Distinguish between reality and the public's perception of the capabilities of DNA analysis and CSI.

Module 5: Summary and Conclusion
1. Review material presented during the training program.
2. Identify the correct responses on the post-test.
3. Discuss the resolution to the crime scene scenario.
4. Summarize the forensic laboratory follow-up assignment.
5. Complete a final program evaluation.

Your Most Important Tool - YOU!

A word about interpersonal skills :

• The popular image of the typical television or movie investigator is that of a rugged individual who solves cases by him or herself sometimes in spite of bumbling, incompetent supervisors or colleagues. This investigator in dealing with potential witnesses, informants, or generally any member of the public gets good results through intimidation or deceit.

• Unlike popular television programs criminal investigations are resolved through the efforts and cooperation of many people. These may include line officers, other investigators, crime analysts and forensic scientists.

• When it comes to obtaining information from witnesses or other members of the public remember that they don't have to cooperate with you in terms of answering questions or in some cases a previously unknown member of the public coming forward with information

• The importance of listening skills can not be overstated. The name of the game in investigations is information. People are a critical source of information. You'll get more information by listening rather than by talking. The more effectively that you are working with people the greater the degree of cooperation and communication that you will receive from people.