Crime Scene Management Training

Criminal justice students learn crime scene management.

Crime scene management is a collection of the skills learned in a criminal justice degree or certificate program. Community colleges, technical schools and universities offer diplomas, associate, bachelor's and master's degrees in criminal justice which focus on crime scene investigations.

Contamination Prevention

If untrained, those responding to a crime can leave their mark on the scene.

Investigators and other personnel who frequent crimes scenes are trained to avoid contaminating the scene. Crime scene investigation courses teach the proper procedures for entering and working on a crime scene without leaving behind traces of DNA, fibers or other materials. Those who are not trained in crime scene investigation usually receive training on the job or in special seminars.

Crime Scene Video and Photography

Video and still photography are used to record crime scenes.

Required courses include video and photography classes. These focus upon the proper techniques used to represent a crime scene as it was before investigation. Some institutions also instruct students in dark room techniques.

Evidence Collection

Dusting for fingerprints is one type of evidence collection.

Criminal justice students also learn the proper methods for evidence collection. Evidence can include body fluids, hair samples, fingerprints and footprints. Each of these types of evidence have specific collection and preservation techniques.

References

• Crime Scene Investigator Network: Protecting the Crime Scene
• Crime Scene Investigator Network: Examination and Documentation of the Crime Scene
• Crime Scene Investigator Network: Collection and Preservation of Evidence
• Pima Community College: Crime Scene Management Certificate
• Keiser University: Associate of Science, Crime Scene Technology

Resources

• Crime Scene Investigator Network: On-Line College and University Programs