General Forensics Courses

Choose from a variety of general forensics courses offered through Corporate and Continuing Education and the American Academy of Applied Forensics (AAAF) at Central Piedmont. All classes are not offered every semester. 

Advanced Bloodstain Pattern Analysis – FRN 7816 (40 Hours)

This is a course designed for investigators, crime scene technicians, forensic technicians, and others practicing bloodstain pattern analysis. The course will enhance basic skills and develop advanced skills used in complex scenes. Additionally, you will be given an opportunity to practice your observation and analysis skills and see how to properly present findings in court.

Instructor: Ross Gardner

Basic Crime Scene Academy – FRN 7815 (40 Hours)

This centerpiece AAAF course introduces the concepts and techniques of comprehensive crime scene processing and the science behind the scene. This hands-on workshop provides you with the knowledge and skills needed to recognize, collect, and preserve evidence from a crime scene. You will learn all of the elements of crime scene processing, including forensic photography, investigative principles, and related legal issues, and process crime scenes and support findings in mock court. The lessons are reinforced with hands-on practice with equipment. 

Instructors: Eddie Howell

Basic Crime Scene Photography – FRN 7920 (24 Hours)

This hands-on workshop is designed to familiarize the crime scene detective/technician with the basic requirements of crime scene photography. This workshop focuses on basic operation of the camera how to use digital photography, and how to use tamper proof software to protect digital images.

Instructor: Buren Foster

Basic Shooting Reconstruction – FRN 7818 (40 Hours)

This course introduces the most current methods of shooting reconstruction, applying the principles of trigonometry in determining angles of impact, ballistic trajectory, and muzzle-to-target distance. Using laser trajectory devices, you will learn to document, photograph, and reenact shooting scenes.

Instructor: Don Mikko

Bloodstain Pattern Analysis – FRN 7813 (40 Hours)

This hands-on workshop focuses on the physical dynamics of liquid blood: the patterns created when it strikes various surfaces and the method of stain creation. Students learn the skills necessary to reconstruct a violent incident involving bloodstains and how to relate it to the participants. Students also learn to properly identify, collect and preserve blood evidence for laboratory examination.

Instructor: Ross Gardner

Child Death Investigation – FRN 7928 (16 Hours)

This two-day seminar will focus on the investigation of the death of children. You will be resented with a variety of scenarios which resulted in the death of a child. Emphasis will be placed on the differences between accidental, natural (to include SIDS), and non-accidental death involving children of all age ranges. The training class will discuss scene investigation, trauma, injuries, burns, the investigation of SIDS, and working with the medical examiner.

Instructor: Lisa Mayhew

Criminal Profiling and Processing Homicide Cases – FRN 7936 (24 Hours)

This class will provide practical skills for detectives and crime scene investigators in the investigation of complex violent crime. The focus will be non-behavioral aspects of offenders, the evidence they leave behind, and coordination between CSI and detectives with background on behavioral aspects with different murder cases, arson, and other violent crimes. You will evaluate cold cases and cases left with only photographs to work with in reconstructing your case. This case includes lecture and hands-on exercises in a realistic mock crime scene.

Instructor: Paul LaRosa

Death Investigation 101 – FRN 7913 (40 Hours)

Death Investigation 101 is a lecture class that is designed for all law enforcement officers. New homicide detectives will benefit from this training. The course will cover accidental, natural and homicidal deaths. We will cover scene understanding and understanding the body. Tips on photography and video tapes of death scene are important. Cultural issues, victimology and fire deaths will be discussed. Suicide investigations involving hanging, shooting and overdoses will be covered in this great class. Heart attacks, respiratory distress and blunt force trauma issues are important to any investigator. The significance of evidence is covers in all types of crimes and investigators will learn new tips and new information. The course is a lecture course, free to all NC sworn officers.

Instructor: Eddie Howell

Firearms Injuries and Distance Determination – FRN 7843 (24 Hours)

This three-day course will discuss firearm related injuries and distance determinations (both gunshot residues and shotgun pattern analysis). The course will focus on applying various scientific methods, testing protocols, reproduction and comparison of gunpowder and primer residues in order to determine the muzzle-to-garment distance.The course will also include various firearms related injuries found on bodies and other mediums. Practical exercises and presentations will be used throughout the course.

Instructor: Don Mikko

Flies, Foliage, and Features – FRN 7826 (24 Hours)

This course provides an in-depth, hands-on workshop that focuses on field investigative techniques. Emphasis is placed on collecting, preserving, and interpreting insect evidence, plant evidence, and recovery of human remains. You will learn how to manage the outdoor crime scene. This course is instructed by a uniquely qualified team that includes a forensic anthropologist, forensic botanist, and forensic entomologist.

Instructor: Melvin Bishop / Melissa Torpey

Legal Issues of Crime Scene Searches – FRN 7822 (16 Hours)

This course will provide an overview of the legal issues involved in searching and processing crime scenes. Topics covered include: warrantless entries, consent to search, the plain view doctrine, crime scene search warrants, technical issues involved in the processing of crime scenes, including; photographs, fingerprints and blood-spatter interpretation, and expert witness qualification. This material will be presented through lecture, case review, and practical exercises.

Instructor: Donald Rice

Profiling Sex Crimes – FRN 7935 (16 Hours)

This two-day course will provide practical skills for detectives and crime scene investigators in the investigation of various sex crimes. The focus will be on behavioral aspects of offenders, the evidence they leave behind and coordination between CSI and detectives through the completion of the case. The background on behavioral aspects with different sex cases, assaults, and other violent sexual related crimes will be covered. You will evaluate cold cases and cases left with only photographs to work with in reconstructing their case. This case utilizes both lecture and realistic mock crime scenes.

Instructors: Bo Barton

Additional Courses Offered Online