November 16, 2015
Monday
WORKSHOPS
10:00-5:00pm
Workshop #2
Deputy Bruce E Quinn, Hazardous Devices Technician, Rhode Island Bomb Squad
Scott Murray, Special Agent/CES, Burlington VT
Detective Sergeant David Petersen Vermont State Police/Bomb Squad
“Post Blast Scene Investigation”
This course teaches a systematic method of investigating the scene of an explosion. The course
includes an introduction to explosives and explosives effects, IED components and evidence
collection. Participants will be tasked with sifting through collected debris, identifying
components, and reconstruction of the device culminating with a short presentation of how their
team believes the device functioned.
10:00-5:00pm
Workshop #4
Charlie Walsh, Forensic Consulting Associates of New England, LLC
Drew Webb, Forensic Consulting Associates of New England, LLC
“BEERS”: Breaking and Entering Evidence Response
Be better prepared to document and collect fingerprints & DNA from your property crimes. This
one- day workshop is designed to provide detectives with an “once-over- lightly” basic crime
scene course. The focus is on basic evidence processing while responding to your every-day
breaking and entering, recovery of motor vehicle, and other property crimes.
LECTURES
10:00-11:00am
Alicia Wilcox, M.Sc., M.S.
CLPE, CFWE, CFPH, CSCSA
Husson University
“The History and Background of the Judge, Jury and Expert Witnesses”
The lecture will give attendees a walk through the history of the first juries, how expert witnesses
have evolved over time and how the gate-keeper role has developed in response to the expert
witness. If you have ever wondered why juries need to be uniformed about the case they preside
over or why experts can give opinion evidence, then this presentation is for you. Content
includes medieval torture, viewer discretion is advised!
10:00-11:00am
Mark Zabinski, CLPE, CSCSA
Criminalist II, Rhode Island State Crime Laboratory
“Digital Imaging Tips and Tricks”
The program will cover the following:
-
The difference between JPEG, TIFF and RAW digital image files
The RAW file conversion window in Photoshop
Reason for setting fie sequencing in the camera
Hand held close up procedures for photographing latent prints
Photo documenting laser shooting reconstruction
11:00-12:00pm
Erik Savicke, Criminalist II
Boston Police Department
“Courtroom Testimony For the Beginner, What You Need to Know?”
Are you new to testifying? The courtroom can be an intimidating place, especially when you
enter as an expert witness for the first time. This workshop will NOT take the nervousness of
entering that courtroom, but will give you some useful information to conquer that intimidating
atmosphere. Mannerisms, attire, tough questions and situations will be covered. Attendees will
be posed with questions and scenarios that have been faced in court. Please feel free to bring
your own tough questions and situations you may have been presented with.
11:00-12:00pm
Detective Tim Burt, CSCSA/CCSR
Dover Police Department, New Hampshire
“Limited Shooting Reconstruction – Murder for Hire”
A suspicious death investigation in 2008 revealed a murder-for-hire plot, orchestrated by the
victim’s girlfriend. This presentation reviews the crime scene, the development of the
investigation and concludes with a review of the on-scene limited shooting reconstruction that
was used to help determine which of the two suspects was the shooter.
1:00-3:00pm
Larry Dow, BS, Med, Sales Applications Engineer
Foster and Freeman
“Forensic Light Source Theory and Application”
Virtually every department today has some sort of light source, but how to best use it remains a
mystery to many charged with using it. Presented in this class is a program that has been used to
teach across the country at many international and regional IAI meetings and individual
departments in the US and abroad. It takes the student from light basics to application in an
organized manner using a mix of theory and practical application.
1:00-3:00pm
Sergeant Phillip Nichols
Nashua Police Department, New Hampshire
“Basic Crime Scene Photography – Best Practices”
Objective: Discuss the do’s and don’ts of crime scene photography. This discussion is primarily
geared to the first responders and the utilization of the equipment provided by their agencies to
document a crime scene.
During this block of instruction we will briefly discus the proper equipment for photographing a
crime scene and outline the basic steps every crime scene photographer should do before
photographing a crime scene.
Understanding that not every agency will have DSLR style equipment available, we will also
discuss ways to utilize a simple point and shoot camera to properly document a crime scene.
To be discussed and to some degree demonstrated, techniques to improve the quality of the
photos taken with a point and shoot camera at crime scenes
*Attendees should bring their department issued camera equipment (especially if it is just a
point and shoot camera). They should also bring the camera’s manual if possible. They
should also bring their current department policies for digital image integrity that applies
to their jurisdiction.
1:00-3:00pm
Deborah (Dobrydney) Kosiorek, CLPE, CCSI
Shawn Dolan, CLPE
Boston Police Department
“King Case File and the Notes of the Round Table”
Here ye, noble latent print examiners! Have you ever encountered a situation when working a
latent print case that was unique and/or unfamiliar? Did you ask yourself, “I wonder if any other
latent examiner or agency has encountered a similar situation?” Have you ever been in the
process of completing your case notes and think, “I wish I could look inside another lab’s case
file to see the way they would document this”? This roundtable will encourage discussion of
these very instances, and provide you with the opportunity to share those situations and your own
ideas with latent print examiners from all over New England. Participants should bring an
example of a completed case file, including reports, notes, and print-outs of any annotated
images. The moderators will lead a discussion outlining their own agency’s workflow and
encourage others to share their methods and practices. Synergistic discussion and an opportunity
to learn of practices in other laboratories that could benefit your own will result. Come learn
from each other and help bring your lab out of the Middle Ages! Mead and mutton to be
served!!
3:30-4:30pm
Detective James E. Clift, MS
Providence Police Department, Rhode Island
“OBSERVATION: The Key to Crime Scene Analysis. A Case Study in Destruction.”
This one hour presentation will discuss and examine a complex double homicide/arson scene
where the assailants took extensive measures to destroy and remove all evidence of the crime.
The discussion will highlight the most basic crime scene aspect of observation and its use,
combined with common sense and personal and professional experience. Actual scene and
autopsy photos (graphic) will be used throughout the presentation.
3:30-5:00pm
Sergeant Mike McCutcheon
Londonderry Police Department, New Hampshire
“Processing Crime Scenes Using IPAD and IPHONE Techniques”
3:30-5:00pm
Shawn Dolan, CLPE
Boston Police Department
“Using AFIS as an Investigative Lead-Ethical vs Investigative Considerations”
As Forensic Practitioners we have a responsibility to adhere to a code of ethics when conducting
our casework that relies on our unbiased examination of evidence. However, during the course of
our work, we may gain access to information that investigators feel is beneficial to their
investigation; specifically, unique identifiers or names tied to AFIS searches. What are YOU
doing with the results from your AFIS searches? Is AFIS a valuable investigative tool that can
provide investigators with a list of Investigative Leads? Might the candidate list provide
investigators with justification for surveillance, interview, or interrogation of a suspect? What if
the candidate list revealed names of interest in the Boston marathon bombing? What if the
candidate list revealed the name of your suspect in a homicide? Do fingerprint examiners have
an obligation to protect the AFIS domain and its uses? Is there an ethical responsibility to
safeguard AFIS results so that the information is not misused or misleading? We will discuss the
limitations and the potential of AFIS while the technology has become a more reliable tool for
fingerprint comparison.
4:30-5:00pm
Alicia Wilcox, M.Sc., M.S.
CLPE, CFWE, CFPH, CSCSA
Husson University
“A summary of the NIST Forensic Science Error Management Symposium, which was held in
Washington, DC, July 2015”
This lecture will give an overview of some of the main topics and ideas presented at the National
Institute of Standards and Testing Forensic Science Error Management Symposium. The lecture
is based on presentations Alicia Wilcox attended while at the conference.
November 17, 2015
Tuesday
WORKSHOPS
8:00-5:00pm
Workshop #3
Kimberly Rumrill, Criminalist II
New Hampshire State Police Forensic Laboratory
“Blood Spatter and Crime Scene Processing”
The Blood Spatter Documentation and Crime Scene Processing workshop will go over the basics
of bloodstain pattern recognition. This will provide the participant with an introduction to the
most common types of patterns observed at crime scenes. The participants will also review
bloodstain pattern analysis terminology presented through a collection of case photographs that
document patterns as they appear in real life. Participants will have the opportunity to document
a mock crime scene for bloodstains and test their ability to recognize patterns from enlarged case
photographs and proficiency tests. Hands-on experiments will cover impact spatter, cast-off
spatter, as well at other patterns. Participants are encouraged to bring a digital camera for
documentation.
8:00-5:00pm
Workshop #1
Mark Zabinski, CLPE, CSCSA
Criminalist II, Rhode Island State Crime Laboratory
Detective James E. Clift, MS
Providence Police Department, Rhode Island
“Crime Scene Fingerprinting Techniques”
Make dealing with photographing and lifting difficult prints a breeze. The student will learn how
to preserve difficult latent prints that are often found on textured and contoured surfaces by
implementing useful techniques such as close-up photography and multiple types of lifting
medias (gel lifts, DIF tape and Mikrosil).
The student will also learn to utilize gel lifts to nondestructively lift latent prints that have been
developed with cyanoacrylate, latent prints developed on porous surfaces using magnetic or
conventional powders and to capture indented writing.
The student will also learn to use a scanner to scan latent prints on objects that are not flat.
This is a hands-on workshop. You are welcome to bring camera equipment with you to use in
the workshop but it is not necessary.
LECTURES
8:00-9:30am
Charlie Walsh, Forensic Consulting Associates of New England, LLC
“Rhode Island Interesting Case Studies”
Two Rhode Island cases will be discussed: The 1991 homicide of the Brendel Family in
Providence, Rhode Island and the 1989 slayings of the Heaton Family in Warwick Rhode Island.
8:00-10:00am
Sergeant Mike McCutcheon
Londonderry Police Department, New Hampshire
“The Importance of Collecting Foot Impressions”
This class is a must for those who process crime scenes. Footwear impression evidence is often
overlooked at crime scenes. After taking this class, critical evidence will no longer be missed
during processing. This class will introduce the students to the basics of how to search for,
preserve and collect foot impression evidence. Demonstrations of techniques and products used
for locating, preserving and collecting evidence will be shown.
9:30-10:00am
Detective Tim Burt, CSCSA/CCSR
Dover Police Department, New Hampshire
“Importance of Proper Order of Processing Techniques”
An overview of several accepted processing techniques for developing latent prints. This
presentation highlights the recommended order of these techniques (based on SWGFAST and
FBI guidelines, and other published references), emphasizing the importance of this order.
Police Officers and Criminalists who go straight to black powder are skipping over several
alternative methods for developing prints that can only be attempted prior to fingerprint powder.
10:30-11:00am
Deputy Bruce E Quinn, Hazardous Devices Technician
Rhode Island Bomb Squad
“Explosives Detection with K-9’s”
K-9 detection with explosives is a very serious and delicate job. We will explore the intricate
workings of a K-9 nose, how it works and why K-9’s are more sensitive to scents than an
average human nose. We will also discuss the training regiment and teamwork that is crucial
between a handler and his K-9. A demonstration will be performed from Sam (K-9).
10:30-12:00pm
Paul Souza, CLPE, CCSI
Plymouth County Massachusetts Sheriff’s Department
“Palm Print Techniques-an Overview”
Course Goal: The course emphasizes the critical need to compare palm prints for identification.
Through the quality collection, total processing and documentation of all physical features
obtained from a palm print. The techniques and methodology used for a successful criminal case.
The course seeks to embed palm prints as a useful technique in positive identification. A
presentation will be made at the 2015 NEDIAI Conference reference a BCI Examination Study
utilizing palm creases for unique identifications.
Objectives: From this basic instructional course, training materials, visual aids, exercises and
hands on experience of palm prints, the student should be able to:
1.
Identify the three general areas of the palm.
2.
Recognize ridge flow orientation.
3.
Guidelines for capturing palm prints.
4.
Compare palms to determine if they are identical or non-identical.
11:30-12:00pm
Detective Bob Gallagher, CLPE, CSCSA, CFPH
Wellesley Police Department, Massachusetts
“Forensic Photography Certification Preparation”
This presentation will provide an overview of the current IAI Forensic Photography Certification
process and some helpful tips on how to prepare for the exam.
1:30-3:00pm
“Clandestine Lab Awareness and Safety”
1:30-3:00pm
Dr. Steve Shapiro
Vermont Medical Examiner’s Office
“Water Death’s”
3:30-5:00pm
Brian O’Hara
The Osceola Sheriff’s Office-Kissimmee, Florida
Unsolved Homicides: “Never, Never, Ever Give Up Hope!"
Lecture will be on the solving a 1983 homicide of Rodney Wyman in the City of Malden
Massachusetts with the use of FBI’s Next Generation Identification system. Trooper
Christopher Dolan of the Massachusetts State Police received the award for Hit Of The Year
from the FBI after he was working this cold case and entered it for a search and located a suspect
he identified. To be considered for this award not only does there have to be an identification but
there must be a conviction. That was the case in this murder twenty-seven (27) years later!
Rodney was young married father of two whose life tragically ended in an attempted armed
robbery. He was from Connecticut and temporarily working in Massachusetts installing windows
on a project. He was staying at a motel along route 1 in Malden Mass. It was a hot evening and
he and his roommate were eating dinner after a long night when someone broke into their hotel
and shot Rodney dead. A latent print recovered in 1983 previously searched through the Mass
State AFIS system on numerous occasions, finally hitting on the suspect was entered into the FBI
enhanced AFIS system.
"Never giving up" is why this case was solved as well as another case, which I will detail in this
lecture. “The Murder of Apolonia Tambor”, another case Chris Dolan solved thirteen (13) years
after the murder because of his talent, drive and the spirit to give up! He manually searched
12,000 prints to find this print when AFIS could not!
3:30-5:00pm
Richard Shire, CLPE
“History of Photography”
The lecture will focus on the use of forensic photography before the age of computers. Four
events will be discussed: the plastic coke bottle, the 747, JFK Assassination and the Atomic
Bomb.
November 18, 2015
Wednesday
WORKSHOPS
8:00-12:00pm
Workshop #5
Detective James E. Clift, MS
Providence Police Department, Rhode Island
“Proper Documentation of Crime Scenes”
When responding to any incident major or minor the motivation, knowledge, skill, and organization of the
crime scene investigator is crucial to the recognition and ultimate presentation of significant facts of that
incident. He or she is vitally responsible for the critical duty of assessing, managing, and documenting
the scene and its contents so that others in the field may easily examine and interpret all the information
collected. This workshop has been designed with these facts in mind. Our examination will highlight
these key elements and strive to improve the ability of the investigator to manage these important tasks.
Discussions, examples and mock scenes will assist the student in understanding the importance of scene
documentation by providing detailed examples and hands on experience.
8:00-12:00pm
Workshop #6
Sergeant Mike McCutcheon
Londonderry Police Department, New Hampshire
“Blood Detection: Is it blood? Yes. Now what?”
Crime scenes can be messy. Is that spot blood? This class will allow the students to locate blood
using Bluestar and Luminol. Students will have the opportunity to test numerous stains on
several substrates to identify the stains as blood. Students will use a variety of presumptive tests
including heme tests and protein tests. The class will allow students to process bloody
fingerprints using chemical processing techniques that have been tried and true. Not all bloody
fingerprints need to be processed and students will have to determine the best course of action to
preserve bloody fingerprint evidence. Proper packing techniques for blood evidence will be
explained and demonstrated.
LECTURES
8:00-10:00am
Larry Dow, BS, Med, Sales Applications Engineer
Foster and Freeman
“Use of Filters and Basic Photography Skills as applied to Fingerprint Photography”
After over nine years of teaching digital photography as it applies to fingerprints in the lab, the
presenter has many tips to share. In a word it is back to basics. The proper use of filters and
various lighting techniques that can add efficiency to your work are discussed. Without proper
lighting and the correct choice of color filters, no amount of enhancement can ever yield a
quality product. Presented in an easy to follow manner and followed up with a free CD of the
contents, no matter what your skill level, this presentation can improve your job performance.
8:00-10:00am
Sergeant Phillip Nichols
Nashua Police Department, New Hampshire
“Exam Quality Photos”
Objective: Share guidelines for obtaining exam quality photographs to be utilized by your state
labs. Discuss the needs of the examiners regarding the quality of photos so they can be used in
comparison.
During this block of instruction, you will learn how to set up your camera to properly document
evidence at the scene to be used at the lab to compare against other evidence collected. We will
discuss the tools necessary to properly obtain these comparison prints.
We will discuss specific considerations when storing the files and images collected along with
policies and best practices that should be in place to ensure that the images taken will with stand
a court hearing.
Have attendees bring a copy of their labs policies regarding comparison photographs for review
and discussion.
10:30-11:00am
Kenneth Martin, CLPE, CFE, CSCSA, CBPA
“Consortium of Forensic Science Organizations (CFSO) Update”
In response to the NAS report, Senator Patrick Leahy introduced legislation before the United
States Senate 2011 in an effort to strengthen forensics in the US. The lecture will cover not only
the history of the Leahy legislation but where we are now and where we may be heading. Upon
conclusion of the presentation a question and answer session will take place to answer questions.
10:30-11:30am
Special Agent Scott Murray, CES
ATF, Burlington Vermont
“Dummerston, Vermont Homicide”
An interesting case presentation will be given on the Dummerston, Vermont Homicide that
occurred in 2011.