​Narcotics Investigations for Patrol Officers

Course Objective:
Narcotic investigations can be the most dangerous type of investigation that a uniform officer might encounter in the performance of his/her duties. The officers attending this class will not only gain a complete awareness of the drugs facing them today, but they will acquire the expertise needed to make quality observations and sound judgments in determining drug use. Officers will be better equipped to identify drug distribution and smuggling not only in roadside situations but in the community that they patrol. The officer safety issues learned in this seminar will not only benefit the officers attending the seminar but the members of their community as well.

Course Topics Include:
Drug Identification
Drug Packaging
Search and Seizure
Knock and Talks
Use of Informants
Testifying in Court on Drug cases

Instructor: Tracy C. Sparshott
Tracy served for 24 years with the Montgomery County, Maryland Police Department. While with the department, he spent time in uniform, Decentralized SWAT, Special Assignment Team, Narcotics and K-9. He has been deputized as a U.S. Marshall and been assigned to the FBI, DEA, Customs and the IRS. Tracy has been involved in undercover operations that have taken him to Florida, New York, Connecticut, as well as California. State, county and U.S. federal courts recognize him as an expert in the field of undercover narcotic investigations as well as drug interdiction. Organizations that have benefited from Tracy’s expertise include Law Enforcement Academies throughout the United States, all branches of the U.S. Military, Narcotic Enforcement Officers’ Association, International Chiefs of Police, U.S. State Department, Peruvian National Police Force and the Scandinavian Narcotic Officers’ Association. Tracy has been the guest speaker at Narcotic Conferences in Arkansas, Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Kansas, Iowa, North Dakota and Utah. He has also been an honorarium at several major universities, and has served as Co-Chairman for the Council of Governments Subcommittee on Narcotics.
During his career with Montgomery County, Tracy was involved in many long-term drug investigations. One such investigation took place between Washington, D.C. and Florida. Both the FBI and IRS were brought into the case because of the amount of money, property and statewide issues involved. Tracy Sparshott is featured in the nonfiction book entitled “Trust Me” by Richard Rashke, which depicts this case. “Trust Me” can be found at www.trustme-narco.com or Amazon.com.

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Background Investigations

Who Should Attend:
Those assigned to and responsible for conducting background investigations of applicants for criminal justice positions.

Course Length
2 ½ days (20 Hours)

Course Goals:
The goal of this course is to equip criminal justice professionals responsible for conducting background investigations with the information needed to identify those who meet the minimum qualifications required for entry-level personnel.

Course Objectives:
At the end of this course, the student will be able to achieve the following objectives in accordance with information received during the training when conducting an applicant’s background investigation:

1) Discuss why background investigations are needed and how they relate to the relevant job requirements as required by North Carolina Training and Standards Commission or North Carolina Sheriffs’ Education and Training Standards Commission, as well as the desirable qualities of a candidate for employment.

2) Conduct background-related interviews using questions and in a manner which will elicit accurate information from and about persons applying for criminal justice positions in order to verify the applicant’s Personal History Form (F-3).

3) Recognize, and comply with, various laws and procedures related to employment background investigations, to include NC Administrative Code, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and confidentiality requirements.

4) Identify and appropriately use sources of information to verify or develop information regarding applicants, to include on-line and other resources.

5) Discuss the psychological dimension relating to the background investigations, including a discussion of the battery of psychological testing given to applicants as well as red flags to be aware relating to applicant psychological suitability for a law enforcement position.

6) Discuss the ramifications to an agency as a result of an improper background investigation or the withholding of information on an applicant to another agency.

7) Demonstrate through the conduct of an actual background investigation the ability to present accurate and complete information gathered during the course of the investigation.

Methodologies and Requirements:
This course employs lecture, class discussion, and a skills practice session in which students will conduct aspects of an actual background investigation which they will bring with them to class.

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Chemical and Mechanical Processing of Adhesive Surfaces for Latent Evidence

Reasons for Training
Certain criminal offenses, including: robberies, home invasions, homicides, narcotic packaging and body disposal lend themselves to the use of adhesive tapes as a mechanical restraint. As such the potential that latent and forensic evidence can be found on the adhesive surfaces is great. Proper collection, preservation and processing of adhesive surfaces can increase the potential of identifying offenders. This course will assist law enforcement in processing adhesive surfaces for latent evidence utilizing a variety of chemicals and powder processes, as well as separation techniques easily deployed by most agencies regardless of size.

Who Should Attend?
This course is intended for new crime scene investigators, law enforcement officers, narcotic detectives and criminal investigators charged with the investigation of criminal and non-criminal incidents.

Course Goals:
The goal of this course is for the student to successfully separate and process adhesive surfaces to locate and identify potential latent and forensic evidence.

Course Objectives:
At the end of this course the students will be able to:

1) Identify potential forensic evidence which may be found on tape and adhesive surfaces.

2) Prepare processing mixtures for development of latent evidence on the adhesive sides of tape.

3) Discuss possible health hazards and mitigation strategies when employing chemical development materials.

4) Demonstrate how to separate tape affixed to varying substrates utilizing the materials provided.

5) Demonstrate how to record all practical exercises in a written form to show recipe mixture and experience.

Course Length:
One (1) Days

Method of Instruction:
Lecture, Conference, Practical Exercises

Tuition:
Cost will be $185.00 per student.

Instructor:
Michael S. Glenn

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Crime Scene Investigation

Reasons for Training:
Paramount to any investigation is the proper location and collection of physical evidence to prove or disprove an individual’s involvement with the act. Processing a crime scene requires that individuals have a strong educational foundation and training in multiple disciplines and efforts. This course will assist law enforcement in several of the facets and nuances of crime scene investigation and will emphasize advanced training needs in order to thoroughly and proficiently operate as a crime scene investigator, including course work in: scene management, searching, sketching and measuring, trace evidence location and collection, biological evidence location and collection, latent fingerprint development techniques, forensic – alternate light source deployment and proper packaging of evidence.

Who Should Attend?
This course is intended for new crime scene investigators, law enforcement officers, narcotic detectives and criminal investigators charged with the investigation of criminal and non-criminal incidents.

Course Goals:
The goal of this course is for the student to successfully demonstrate proficiency with basic principles necessary to properly perform a crime scene investigation.

Course Objectives:
At the end of this course the students will be able to:

1) Clearly define the proper methods for securing a crime scene.

2) Demonstrate how to process varying items for latent evidence, utilizing standard and magnetic powders.

3) Discuss the application of forensic-alternate light sources when searching for biological evidentiary samples.

4) Demonstrate how to collect trace evidence from varying sources utilizing appropriate collection media.

5) Demonstrate how to package evidentiary items in order to maintain their value for future processing.

6) Demonstrate how to properly record a crime scene investigation, including supplemental reports, lab findings, sketch designs and through use of photography.

Course Length:
Five (5) Days

Method of Instruction:
Lecture, Conference, Practical Exercises

Tuition:
Cost will be $600.00 per student.

Instructors:
Michael S. Glenn
John J. Wiggins
Stan Moss

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Criminal Investigative Theory and the Scientific Method

Reasons for Training
On the heels of the O.J. Simpson and Casey Anthony trials, never has it become more pertinent to address through and accurate investigative techniques and scientific theory. Unrecognized preconceived biases and personal frames of reference can often times subconsciously affect a thorough and accurate investigation. In addition, documenting the development of a hypothesis and counter hypothesis is critical to show alternate potential scenarios for the incidents occurrence as well as ruling out any other potential methodologies. Often crime scenes are assumed to have occurred in a singular manner and as such efforts are made to prove that potential scenario. However, more often than not there are varying scenarios which could have actually occurred. This course will assist law enforcement in recognizing alternate theories and actions, while motivating the individuals to recognize biases and contradictory opinions which may hamper thorough criminal and crime scene investigations.

Who Should Attend?
This course is intended for all law enforcement officers, including: Criminal Investigators, Crime Scene Investigators, Law Enforcement Officers and Supervisors charged with the management of these individuals.

Course Goals: The goal of this course is for the student to recognize alternative investigative hypothesis in criminal incidents and prove or disprove those theories for the accurate resolution of the incident.

Course Objectives:
At the end of this course the students will be able to:

1) Recognize predisposed biases which may hamper objective recognition.

2) Formulate alternative hypothesis about what might have actually occurred during an incident.

3) Develop documentation procedures to show alternative hypothesis investigation strategies.

4) Discuss courtroom presentation of hypothesis as it pertains to a criminal incident.

Course Length:
One (1) Day

Method of Instruction:
Lecture, Conference, Case Discussion

Tuition:
Cost will be $195.00 per student. A minimum of 12 students is required to hold this course.

Instructor:
Michael S. Glenn

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Basic Crime Scene Photography

In this course you will learn to use your camera to take properly exposed photographs for courtroom presentation. We will work with each shooting mode on our camera, Auto, Programmed, Shutter Speed preferred, Aperture preferred, and Manual and shoot in each mode to decide when it would be best to use each mode and why. We will go through the major menu settings on the camera and discuss which ones we can use and which ones needs to be cut off so that our images cannot be questioned in court. This class is best suited for use with a Digital Single Lens Reflex camera, DSLR. A tripod should be brought to class if you have one. We will also cover on camera and off camera flash units as well as painting with light with flash and with flashlights.
Students are encouraged to bring any and all photographic equipment and accessories to class that you may have any questions about and their use.

Hours: 24 hours
Instructor: Stan Moss
Course fee: $295.00

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CSI and the Scientific Method

Who Should Attend?
This course is intended for new crime scene investigators, law enforcement officers and criminal investigators charged with the investigation of criminal and non criminal incidents.

Course Goals:
The goal of this course is for the student to recognize alternative investigative hypothesis in criminal incidents and prove or disprove those theories for the accurate resolution of the incident.

Course Objectives:

At the end of this course the students will be able to:

1) Recognize predisposed biases which may hamper objective recognition.

2) Formulate alternative hypothesis about what might have actually occurred during an incident.

3) Develop documentation procedures to show alternative hypothesis investigation strategies.

4) Discuss courtroom presentation of hypothesis as it pertains to a criminal incident.

Course Length:
Two (2) Days

Method of Instruction:
Lecture, Conference, Case Discussion

Tuition:
Cost will be $185.00 per student.

Instructor:
Michael S. Glenn

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Enhancing and Recording Recent Soft Tissue Injuries Utilizing Alternate Light Technologies

Reasons for Training
In cases of domestic violence, child abuse, and even homicides, soft tissue injuries, which have occurred in close proximity to the reporting time and not yet visible or converted to a traditional bruise, may be discovered and recorded utilizing specialized light, camera filters and digital photography. Often times, as in domestic violence incidents, officers do not see marks or bruises due to there being no apparent bruise and often refer the victim to seek action with the local judicial official. In several cases the victim had been further assaulted afterwards due to lack of physical evidence in the initial incident. In cases of alleged assaults, marks may be faint or unnoticed and officers may have to wait hours to days to record the subsequent bruise development. This course will assist law enforcement in utilizing ALS technologies and camera filters to locate and record these invisible or slight injuries. Further, this course will assist individuals in formulating their working knowledge for future consideration in understanding UV and IR applications in recording: subcutaneous bruises, bite marks, blood on patterned and dark colored surfaces as well as gunshot residue on dark cloth which falls outside of these basic techniques.

Who Should Attend?
This course is intended for patrol officers, domestic violence investigators, crime scene investigators, criminal investigators, and departmental supervisory staff charged with the investigation of criminal and non-criminal incidents.

Course Goals:
The goal of this course is for the student to successfully deploy specific light technologies, in conjunction with digital photography, to locate and record recent soft tissue injuries. As well as understand the mechanics of injury development and progression.

Course Objectives:
At the end of this course the students will be able to:

1) In a practical exercise, deploy alternate light technologies and digital camera equipment to locate and record soft tissue injuries.

2) Define the formation of a hematoma and the components present which allow for recording through alternate light source means.

3) Define the difficulties in dating the age of hematomas as it applies to criminal investigations.

4) Discuss the practical advantages to being able to record recent soft tissue trauma in law enforcement investigations.

Course Length:
One (1) Day

Method of Instruction:
Lecture, Conference, Practical Exercises

Special Concerns:
Students will need to provide digital format SLR (Single Lens Reflex) Cameras for practical application experiments.

Costs:
Cost will be $165.00 per student.

Instructor:
Michael S. Glenn

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Finding Forensic Evidence With Alternate Light Technologies

Reasons for Training
The human eyes are only capable of seeing approximately 3% of the light spectrum and as such are incapable of locating and collecting certain forensic items which are present at scenes. The proper deployment of alternative light source technology greatly aids in searching for, locating and collecting items of forensic interest. This course will assist law enforcement in utilizing ALS technologies via ultraviolet, blue and infrared systems to search for and record these elusive items, thereby increasing their effectiveness and the amount and types of evidence located. Further, this course will assist individuals in formulating their working experience for future use in documenting items such as: subcutaneous bruises, bite marks, blood on patterned and dark colored surfaces and gunshot residue on dark cloth.

Who Should Attend?
This course is intended for crime scene investigators, criminal investigators, narcotic detectives and departmental supervisory staff charged with the investigation of criminal and non-criminal incidents.

Course Goals:
The goal of this course is for the student to successfully deploy specific light technologies to locate forensic items of evidence as well as recognize potential hazards and limitations within these items use.

Course Objectives:
At the end of this course the students will be able to:

1) In a practical exercise, deploy alternate light sources to locate varying biological items of evidence.

2) In a practical exercise, locate soft tissue injuries on living tissue, simulating recent assault occurrences.

3) Discuss the deployment of ALS technologies in searching for, finding and recording GSR pattern evidence on dark colored cloth.

4) Discuss the advantages of deploying ALS technologies in criminal investigations as well as how to properly record the applicable use thereof.

Course Length:
One (1) Days

Method of Instruction:
Lecture, Conference, Practical Exercises

Tuition:
Cost will be $165.00 per student.

Instructor:
Michael S. Glenn

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Recognition and Mitigation Strategies for Exposure and Safety Issues for Criminal Investigations

Reasons for Training
Individuals tasked with investigating criminal and non-criminal offenses are often overloaded with responsibilities and stimuli. However, while overwhelmingly blatant safety issues are often recognized, the more common and dangerous ones do not. In addition, exposure to biological matter and chemical deployment issues may never be thoroughly addressed or even recognized by the individual, agency or fellow officers. This course will assist law enforcement in recognizing potential exposure issues which are common in crime scenes as well as when deploying chemical development techniques. Further, this course will assist individuals in formulating mitigation strategies to prevent potential health risks, thereby increasing overall officer safety and lessen department liability.

Who Should Attend?
This course is intended for new crime scene investigators, law enforcement officers, narcotic detectives, criminal investigators and departmental supervisory staff charged with the investigation of criminal and non criminal incidents.

Course Goals:
The goal of this course is for the student to successfully recognize and mitigate potential health risks associated with the processing of crime scenes and in investigating most incidents.

Course Objectives:
At the end of this course the students will be able to:

1) Identify potential biological risks common in crime scenes.

2) Discuss health exposure risks present with the use of general crime scene chemicals.

3) Define, in writing, federal standards for mitigation of biological and chemical hazards found in the workplace.

4) Discuss routes of exposure to the human body and mitigation strategies easily deployed to combat the effects.

5) Discuss exposure control records and the importance of maintaining these records for individual purposes throughout the employment history.

Course Length:
One (1) Days

Method of Instruction:
Lecture, Conference

Tuition:
Cost will be $165.00 per student.

Instructor:
Michael S. Glenn