Homicide Investigations, Tactics and Procedures

Instructor: Robert G. Lowery, Jr.

Dates: August 17-19, 2027

Location: South Texas College Regional Center for Public Safety Excellence, 3901 S. Cage Blvd., Pharr, TX 78577

Hotel: Courtyard by Marriott McAllen Airport, 2131 South 10th St., McAllen, TX 78503

Course Fee: $350

Course Overview

This comprehensive two-and-a-half-day seminar is tailored for detectives and investigators who focus on homicide and violent crimes against persons. The program delivers a comprehensive, systematic methodology for managing homicide investigations from the moment of initial notification through crime scene examination, evidence preservation, suspect identification, and trial preparation.

Attendees will develop a thorough understanding of homicide classifications, offender psychology and motivation, suicide investigations, ambiguous or artificially staged death scenes, and "no body" murder cases. The course dedicates particular focus to the investigation of unidentified human remains.

Core instructional areas encompass meticulous case documentation, professional report preparation, trial readiness strategies, and productive partnerships with medical examiners, coroners, and prosecutorial staff. The program also examines contemporary investigative methodologies and resources, including sophisticated cellular device analysis, case data administration systems, and the influence of online platforms on current investigative procedures.

Learning Objectives

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

• Execute fundamental crime scene management principles
• Establish collaborative relationships with medical examiners and coroners
• Comprehend the prosecutorial function in homicide cases
• Establish and organize homicide investigation protocols
• Create thorough, accurate case documentation
• Locate, cultivate, question, and interrogate potential perpetrators
• Incorporate cutting-edge investigative technology into casework
• Develop and present evidence-supported cases in court proceedings
• Review and evaluate long-standing unsolved cases

About the Instructor

Robert G. Lowery, Jr. served as the fifth police commander of the renowned Greater St. Louis Major Case Squad, a 35-year-old task force addressing violent crime across multiple jurisdictions with responsibility for high-profile homicide investigations throughout Missouri and Illinois, serving a population base of 2.5 million across 12 counties. Throughout his tenure, he cultivated strategic alliances with prominent federal law enforcement entities including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Marshal Service, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Secret Service, and Internal Revenue Service to enhance resource allocation for active homicide investigations.

Lowery established the Technical Operations Group, a specialized unit tasked with delivering technological surveillance capabilities for suspect tracking and apprehension. He also pioneered the Family Liaison Program, which deployed trained investigative personnel to provide victim family support throughout homicide investigations. His career encompassed collaboration with 500 law enforcement professionals from more than 100 state, local, county, and federal jurisdictions while managing significant murder cases with numerous partner agencies.

He maintains membership in the International Homicide Investigators Association (Quantico, Virginia), the International Coroners and Medical Examiners Association, serves on a Federal Agency Task Force addressing Missing and Exploited Children (Washington DC), and belongs to the FBI National Academy Association.