Receive weekly facilitation and coaching from the National Alliance for Drug Endangered Children (DEC) staff throughout this 7-session Academy. Focus on how to implement the DEC Roadmap and Toolkit: A strategy in building a multidisciplinary DEC Alliance. Build upon and revisit each stage throughout this multi-month training. Grow your DEC Alliance at your own pace.
Identify the five key categories of missing child case and explore how to spot the warning signs that place a child at greater risk for homicide or abduction. Discover the patterns and factors that matter most and see how a strong initial assessment can drive smarter resource deployment and set the investigation on the right track from the start.
Technology has transformed how we investigate crime scenes, and mobile devices are central to this evolution. This webinar will explore how cell phone data—collected through cell site dumps, area dumps, and real-time device “pinging”—can identify suspects, locate witnesses, and support or refute alibis. We'll explain how signals like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and other device emissions—digital DNA—can be documented and analyzed to identify unknown individuals at the scene. Whether in a crowded public area or a remote location, these invisible digital breadcrumbs can provide key leads in investigations.
Learn basic techniques and strategies to enhance the likelihood of obtaining information from possible victims of child sex trafficking. Compare and contrast typical child sexual abuse cases with child sex trafficking (CST) cases and address the different points of entry into the criminal justice and welfare system for CST victims. Understand various disciplines' roles and responsibilities and how they can contribute to a positive outcome of the CST case. Examine question strategy, interview dynamics, language use, and interview suggestions. Discuss the business model of child sex trafficking as it relates to a variety of crimes, including the use of child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
Explore investigative strategies that address the relationship between child sexual abuse and child sexual abuse materials (child pornography) to supplement an investigation and corroborate victim statements. Gather new tools and resources for the most comprehensive case outcomes.
Learn how to objectively investigate child death cases, particularly when the cause and manner of death is unexplained. Examine investigative mindset from initial call-out to case resolution and learn how to gain an understanding of what happens with a victim-centered approach, exploring the emotional trauma of the non-offending caregiver. Discuss possible causes of death and best practices and tips including various investigative steps for evidence collection, witness and suspect interviews. This basic course offers law enforcement, CPS, and other child death investigators up-to-date practices for the investigation of child deaths.
Explore how different types of evidence can be used in forensic interviews of children in abuse, witnessing violence and exploitation cases. Learn how to present different types of evidence in the context of a child-centered, trauma-informed, and legally defendable forensic interview approach. Discuss the implications of presenting child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Practice techniques and develop skills to present different types of evidence in child forensic interviews.
Explore strategies for conducting death investigations that occur from several origins. Learn how to evaluate the crime scene, conduct effective interviews and interrogations, develop case leads, utilize investigative resources (crime laboratories, medical examiners), and comprehend medical autopsies.
Explore strategies for conducting comprehensive sexual assault investigations. Learn how to support victims, gather and maintain evidence, manage crime scenes, conduct effective interviews and interrogations, utilize investigative resources (SANE nurses and support services), and prepare cases for prosecution.
Examine suspicious death case studies based on the experiences of a homicide detective and forensic pathologist. Identify key scene findings, review actual cases and correlate these findings to the autopsy results. This course will discuss improving case outcomes through strong relationships between investigating agencies and the medical examiner’s office. Students will gain appreciation of how unique case features can affect the direction of the investigation. The ultimate resolution of each case examined will be considered and applied lessons learned are shared during the course.
