Child Homicide Investigations

This comprehensive two-day program brings together forensic pathologists, law enforcement investigators, and prosecutors to examine the critical components of child homicide case investigations and prosecutions. The course emphasizes collaborative multi-disciplinary approaches and provides participants with practical knowledge spanning forensic evidence examination, autopsy protocols, investigative techniques, and trial preparation strategies.

Course Overview

Participants will develop a thorough understanding of how forensic pathologists, homicide investigators, and prosecutors work together to successfully investigate and prosecute child homicide cases. The training covers essential autopsy protocols, forensic investigation fundamentals, and the importance of accurately determining cause and manner of death. Special attention is given to the distinct challenges inherent in child homicide investigations, including witness interviewing and interrogation techniques, suspect identification and evaluation, and the prosecutor's pivotal role in achieving appropriate convictions.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion, participants will be able to:

• Articulate the distinct roles and responsibilities of forensic pathologists, law enforcement detectives, and prosecutors in child homicide investigations
• Collaborate more effectively with multi-disciplinary teams to strengthen case development
• Apply best practices to plan and execute child homicide investigations with greater proficiency
• Recognize the significance of forensic evidence and modern technology applications in homicide case work
• Prepare child homicide cases for presentation to juries and judges, and understand how grand jury presentations differ from trial presentations

Target Audience

This course is designed for crime analysis professionals, forensic service unit personnel, coroners and medical examiners, court system staff, law enforcement officers, social workers, and tribal partners and representatives.

Course Details

Format: Classroom-based instruction

Duration: 16 hours (2 days)

Schedule for Milford, CT Session:

• April 28, 2027: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
• April 29, 2027: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm

Registration Deadline: March 22, 2027

Cost: $450.00

Location: Milford Police Regional Training Academy, 59 Devonshire Road, Milford, CT 06460

Additional Session Dates and Locations

This training is offered at multiple locations and times:

• September 28-29, 2026 | Everett, WA | $450.00
• December 14-15, 2026 | Delaware, OH | $450.00
• March 1-2, 2027 | St. Augustine, FL | $450.00
• September 27-28, 2027 | Rochester, MN | $450.00
• November 15-16, 2027 | Liverpool, NY | $450.00

Lodging Options

Recommended accommodations near the Milford venue include:

• Hilton Garden Inn Milford, 291 Old Gate Lane, Milford, CT 06460
• Hyatt Place Milford/New Haven, 190 Old Gate Lane, Milford, CT 06460
• SpringHill Suites by Marriott Milford, 50 Rowe Avenue, Milford, CT 06460

What's Included

Training fees cover 16 hours of instruction, course materials, and instructional costs. Participants are responsible for arranging and paying for their own meals, travel, and lodging.

Instructors

Colleen Curtin Gable is an Assistant District Attorney with extensive experience in homicide prosecution. Her career began in the New York County District Attorney's Office, where she spent seven years before joining the Erie County District Attorney's Office in Buffalo, New York. There she prosecuted sexual assault, child abuse, and felony cases while serving as a supervisor in multiple bureaus. In 2009, she was assigned to the Homicide Bureau, where she handled numerous high-profile cases. She was named Homicide Bureau Chief in December 2015, becoming the first woman in Erie County to hold this position. She later served as Grand Jury Bureau Chief and Senior Trial Counsel before retiring in August 2025. Ms. Curtin Gable has instructed at the New York State Prosecutors Training Institute and the Erie County Central Police Services Law Enforcement Academy. She received the Robert M. Morgenthau Award in 2019 in recognition of her professional accomplishments. She continues teaching Trial Technique at the University at Buffalo School of Law and joined NCJTC as an instructor in 2026.

Dr. Katherine Maloney, MD is a forensic pathologist and Deputy Chief Medical Examiner at the Erie County Medical Examiner's Office in Buffalo, New York, as well as a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University at Buffalo Medical School. She earned her medical degree from the University of Massachusetts Medical School and completed her residency in anatomic and clinical pathology at New York Presbyterian Hospital Weill Cornell Medical Center. Her forensic pathology training was completed at the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in New York, where she also pursued specialized training in forensic neuropathology and cardiac pathology. She holds board certification in anatomic pathology, clinical pathology, and forensic pathology.

Steven Turner is an NCJTC Associate and Detective Sergeant with the Buffalo New York Police Department. He is a DCJS certified instructor and former Adjunct Instructor at Medaille College, where he taught crime scene investigations for four years. Turner is a 30-year veteran of the Buffalo Police Department with the last 10 years spent in the Homicide Unit, where he investigates and supervises cases involving unattended deaths, suicides, industrial accidents, overdoses, drownings, fire deaths, child death investigations, and criminal homicide. Earlier in his career, he investigated violent crimes against persons, fraud, burglary, and larceny. His detective career began in the Special Victims Unit, where he conducted investigations in elder and juvenile abuse, domestic abuse, missing persons, and sexual assault. Steven has received numerous awards for his investigative work and police service.

Program Highlights

The curriculum covers child homicide prosecutions and current legal issues, the medical examiner's role in investigations, manner of death classifications, autopsy and death certification procedures, abusive head trauma and shaken baby syndrome cases, investigative techniques including timeline establishment and suspect development, and successful prosecution strategies including the use of electronic evidence. Interactive case study discussions allow participants to explore issues related to forensic pathology, investigation, and prosecution.

Participant Feedback

Past participants have praised the training, noting that it provides an excellent overview for professionals not working in medical examiner or coroner offices. Attendees have highlighted the instructors' extensive knowledge, expertise, and passion for the subject matter, as well as their engaging presentations that reflect real-world experience in their respective fields.

Continuing Education

For information regarding continuing education units, please consult the NCJTC policies page.

Contact Information

For questions about this training, contact Jessica Heimann at (855) 866-2582 or jessica.heimann2274@fvtc.edu.