This interactive 2-day workshop is intended for law enforcement and emergency first responder groups involved with the identification, collection, and preservation of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) evidence. It can be adapted for any group interested in sharing the responsibility of ensuring the integrity and use of DNA evidence. This 16-hour class focuses on the identification, collection, preservation, and usage of DNA evidence. This program makes extensive use of group exercises, problem-solving scenarios, and case studies. The sessions will be interactive and will not only examine the topics identified, but will encourage participants to think about how this topic is supported by and integrated with the community policing philosophy.

The overall goal of the program is to give law enforcement and other criminal justice professionals the information they need concerning the collection and usage of DNA evidence so that critical pieces of evidence will be collected, fewer cases will be jeopardized by the mishandling of evidence, and more cases could be solved by the proper use of this technology. This program will create a context in which evidence identification, collections, transportation, storage, and usage can be applied to scenario-based situations. Participants will have the opportunity to apply newly acquired knowledge by working in crime scene simulation exercises. Topics include: Crime scenes, evidence collection techniques, laboratory analysis, personal protective equipment use, and using results.