Suspicious Death Investigations: Finding the Right, Eliminating the Wrong, and Avoiding the Undetermined

Course Overview

This two-day training program explores real-world suspicious death investigations through the combined expertise of an experienced forensic pathologist and a decorated homicide detective. Participants will analyze authentic case studies, examine critical scene observations, and evaluate how these findings correlate with autopsy results. The course emphasizes strengthening collaborative relationships between investigative agencies and medical examiner offices as a key factor in improving case outcomes. Students will develop an understanding of how specific case characteristics can influence investigation direction and will review the ultimate resolution of each examined case with lessons applicable to their own work.

Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion, participants will be able to:

• Apply actual case studies to identify and document critical scene findings, then correlate or refute these observations against autopsy findings
• Determine how supplementary information supports or contradicts scene and autopsy conclusions
• Enhance communication and cooperation between law enforcement agencies and medical examiner offices to achieve superior investigative results
• Evaluate death scene characteristics to establish appropriate investigative procedures beyond initial emergency personnel assessments
• Comprehend the medical examiner's methodology for determining cause and manner of death and recognize how investigative efforts may influence these determinations

Audience

This training is designed for law enforcement professionals and tribal partners involved in death investigations.

Training Schedule

May 4, 2027: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Mountain Time
May 5, 2027: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Mountain Time

Location

Colorado Bureau of Investigations Headquarters
690 Kipling Street
Denver, CO 80215

Duration and Cost

The course consists of 16 hours of instruction. Registration fee: $350.00. This fee covers training, program materials, and instructional costs. Participants are responsible for arranging and paying for meals, travel, and lodging.

Registration Deadline

March 29, 2027

Instructors

David C. Winston, Retired Forensic Pathologist, MD, PhD
Dr. Winston retired from full-time forensic pathology in July 2025, bringing 27 years of specialized experience. He served as a forensic pathologist at the Pima County Office of the Medical Examiner in Tucson, Arizona for 22.5 years and as a Regional Forensic Pathologist for North Carolina at Wake Forest University School of Medicine for 4.5 years. Currently, he maintains a part-time position at the Office of the Medical Investigator in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Dr. Winston holds a BS in Biology from Saint Louis University and earned both PhD and MD degrees from the Medical University of South Carolina. He completed Anatomic and Clinical Pathology training at the University of Virginia and Forensic Pathology fellowship training at the Office of the Medical Investigator in Albuquerque. He is board certified by the American Board of Pathology in Anatomic, Clinical, and Forensic Pathology, and maintains fellowship status with both the National Association of Medical Examiners and the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. He has mentored numerous undergraduate and medical students, pathology residents, and forensic pathology fellows whose research has been presented and published in peer-reviewed journals.

William "Bill" Hanson, Detective, Tucson Police Department (Retired)
Detective Hanson retired from the Tucson Police Department in November 2016 with more than 26 years of law enforcement experience. He began his career as a Patrol Deputy in Mohave County, Arizona, serving in leadership roles including Field Training Officer, SWAT Operator, and SWAT Team Leader. Following his 1993 transfer to the Tucson Police Department, he was promoted to Detective in 1998 and worked in the Burglary, Aggravated Assault, and Homicide units. Beginning in 2000, he specialized in homicide investigations and transitioned to full-time Homicide Unit work in 2005, continuing to manage cold case investigations through his retirement. Detective Hanson received the Officer of the Year award in 2008 and served over 22 years in the U.S. Air Force and Arizona Air National Guard, retiring as a First Sergeant in 2002.

Participant Feedback

"The instructors were very knowledgeable. I learned so much from the actual case studies and the instructors' great field experience."

"The training taught me to collaborate more with the medical examiner during investigations—ask more questions!"

"I highly recommend this training to responding officers who arrive first to a death scene. They need to know what to look for."

"The instructors inspired me to be more thorough and more efficient at death scenes—I wish I had this knowledge sooner!"

Lodging Options

• Fairfield Inn & Suites Denver West/Federal Center, 140 South Union Blvd, Lakewood, CO 80228
• Sheraton Denver West, 360 Union Blvd, Lakewood, CO 80228
• Springhill Suites Denver West/Golden, 1315 Colorado Mills Parkway, Lakewood, CO 80401

Additional Information

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