Forensic Bloodstains: Enhancement and Documentation

This comprehensive course equips law enforcement and forensic professionals with essential skills in processing blood evidence at crime scenes and laboratories. Participants will develop expertise in identifying and analyzing basic bloodstain patterns, implementing proper documentation procedures, and applying various chemical enhancement techniques to reveal and preserve critical evidence.

Through a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on practical exercises, attendees will learn how to assess crime scenes, determine the nature of offenses committed, and document the physical parameters of involved areas. The course covers techniques for locating, recording, collecting, and preserving physical evidence, as well as accessing investigative networks and databases to support case work.

Course Topics

• Crime scene analysis methodologies
• Bloodstain principles and recognition
• Identification of various bloodstain patterns
• Presumptive testing procedures for blood
• Chemical enhancement techniques for bloodstains
• Photography and documentation standards

Course Details

Duration: 16 hours

Dates: August 16-17, 2027

Times: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Location: Adam W. Herbert University Center, 12000 Alumni Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32224 (IPTM - University of North Florida)

Instructor: Nancy Sulinski-Steffens

Fee: $595.00

Target Audience

This course is designed for crime scene technicians, crimes against persons detectives, investigations supervisors, forensic investigators, first responders, medical examiner and coroner investigators, military investigative personnel, and non-sworn crime scene processing staff. This course is restricted to active sworn and non-sworn law enforcement and medical examiner personnel.

Prerequisites and Requirements

Participants must have a basic working knowledge of their assigned camera system. An agency-issued DSLR or mirrorless camera with accessories, tripod, laptop, and SD card reader are required for this course.

What to Bring

Required: Agency-issued camera (DSLR or mirrorless), camera accessories, tripod, laptop, and SD card reader

Recommended: Comfortable clothing for the second day when handling chemicals during practical exercises, and a light jacket as classroom temperatures may be cool

Additional Information

This introductory course in bloodstain chemical enhancement and documentation is approved for IAI Crime Scene Certification. Participants should possess a working understanding of their camera systems to fully benefit from the documentation instruction provided throughout the course.