Child Homicide Investigations

This intensive two-day program brings together forensic pathologists, homicide investigators, and prosecutors to enhance understanding of how these disciplines collaborate in investigating and prosecuting child homicide cases. Participants will gain comprehensive knowledge of autopsy protocols, forensic evidence analysis, and the critical process of establishing cause and manner of death in pediatric cases.

The curriculum covers essential investigative techniques specific to child homicides, including interviewing and interrogation strategies, suspect pool development, timeline establishment, and determination of criminal intent. Additionally, the course emphasizes the prosecutor's pivotal role in building strong cases and securing appropriate convictions, while addressing current legal issues and recent case law developments that impact these prosecutions.

Course Details

Dates: March 1-2, 2027

Time: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm each day

Location: St. Augustine, FL (St. Johns County Sheriff's Office Training Center, 911 Law Enforcement Way, St. Augustine, FL 12092)

Cost: $450.00

Duration: 16 hours of instruction

Registration Deadline: January 25, 2027

Who Should Attend

This training is designed for crime analysis team members, forensic service units, coroners and medical examiners, court system personnel, law enforcement professionals, social workers, and tribal partners.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Comprehend the distinct roles and responsibilities of forensic pathologists, law enforcement investigators, and prosecutors in child homicide investigations
• Collaborate more effectively with multidisciplinary teams to strengthen case development
• Execute child homicide investigations by applying proven best practices and investigative strategies
• Recognize the significance of forensic evidence and leverage technological advances in homicide investigations
• Prepare child homicide cases for presentation to juries and judges, and distinguish between jury and grand jury presentation approaches

Course Content

Topics covered include child homicide prosecutions and current legal challenges, the medical examiner's role in death investigation and certification, abusive head trauma and shaken baby syndrome controversies, investigative aspects including timeline development and witness cultivation, and successful prosecution strategies incorporating recent electronic evidence considerations.

Instructors

Colleen Curtin Gable, Assistant District Attorney with extensive experience prosecuting child abuse, sexual assault, and homicide cases. Ms. Curtin Gable served as the first female Homicide Bureau Chief in Erie County and later became Chief of Training. She continues to teach trial technique at the University at Buffalo School of Law.

James Holmes, Special Agent (Retired), Wisconsin Division of Criminal Investigation, with decades of law enforcement experience. Mr. Holmes has investigated numerous child and adult homicides, cold case homicides, officer-involved deaths, missing and abducted children cases, and child exploitation matters.

Katherine Maloney, MD, Forensic Pathologist and Deputy Chief Medical Examiner at the Erie County Medical Examiner's Office in Buffalo, New York. Dr. Maloney is board certified in anatomic pathology, clinical pathology, and forensic pathology, and serves as a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University at Buffalo Medical School.

Fee Information

Training fees of $450.00 include 16 hours of instruction and program materials. Participants are responsible for arranging and paying for meals, travel, and lodging. Several hotel options are available in the St. Augustine area.