Crime Scene Processing and Documentation Training
Nationwide 80-Hour Hands-On Law Enforcement Training
Pinnacle Forensics provides 80-hour hands-on crime scene processing and documentation training for law enforcement agencies nationwide. Built for newly appointed crime scene personnel and developing investigators, the course covers practical scene methodology, documentation, evidence processing, photography, bloodstain fundamentals, and shooting-scene considerations.
80 Hours • 50+ Practical Exercises • Printed Course Manual (Several Hundred Pages)
Bring crime scene processing and documentation training to your agency
Host this 80-hour course at your agency and make comprehensive crime scene training available to your personnel without requiring multiple employees to travel. Pinnacle Forensics provides on-site training for law enforcement agencies nationwide.
Hosting is especially valuable for agencies that want to train multiple investigators, technicians, or supervisors in a consistent, practical approach to crime scene processing and documentation while reducing employee travel and time away from duty.
Complimentary host seats
A minimum of 10 paid attendees is required to confirm the course. Host agencies receive complimentary seats based on paid enrollment.
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John Calvin Gaziano, MFS, MS
Crime scene instructor • forensic consultant • retired police sergeant
John personally teaches each Pinnacle Forensics Crime Scene Processing and Documentation course. He brings 32 years of law enforcement experience, including 24 years in crime scene investigation, and spent more than 20 years assigned to the Fremont Police Department Crime Scene Investigation Unit, later supervising the unit as a sergeant.
His academic credentials include a Master of Forensic Science, a Master of Science in Criminal Justice, and a Bachelor of Science from the University of California, Berkeley. Over his career, John has processed, analyzed, and reconstructed thousands of crime scenes and has been qualified in court as a forensic expert.
John developed this course around the practical skills crime scene investigators use in the field, including documentation, evidence processing, photography, reconstruction, and scene evaluation. His instruction draws on investigative experience, supervision, and courtroom testimony, emphasizing methodical documentation and evidence-processing practices investigators can apply in the field.
What students say about Pinnacle Forensics training
The reviews below reflect student experiences in Pinnacle Forensics law enforcement training courses. Full, unedited reviews are available on our Testimonials page.
“John is an excellent teacher and does an amazing job teaching his courses. I highly recommend his courses and his experience as a consultant.”
Ed Rudolph
Marin County Sheriff’s Department
“Well organized and hands on instruction mixed with the right amount of lecturing.”
Shyanne Gines
Roanoke Police Department
“Very knowledgeable instructor who breaks down difficult concepts into easy to remember concepts with insightful hands on practicals.”
Paul Richards
Fremont Police Department
Topics covered in crime scene processing and documentation training
- Crime scene processing methodology
- Crime scene photography
- Sketching and diagramming
- Report writing
- Impression evidence
- Trace evidence
- Biological evidence
- Latent print development and recovery
- Sexual assault processing
- Infrared and ultraviolet light sources
- Pathology and trauma
- Firearms and ballistic evidence
- Shooting reconstruction
- Officer-involved shootings
- Vehicle processing
- Traffic collision documentation
- Bloodstain pattern analysis
- Presumptive blood testing and enhancement
- Gravesite excavation
- Fire scenes
- Forensic entomology
- Courtroom testimony
This course supports many of the practical skills and abilities every crime scene investigator needs, including observation, organization, documentation, and methodical scene work.
Course information
- Course duration: 80 hours
- Tuition: $1,500
- Prerequisites: None
- Course format: Two weeks of hands-on training with more than 50 practical exercises
- Course materials: Printed course manual of several hundred pages included
- Registration: No payment required until the course is confirmed
Required equipment for each attendee
Each attendee must bring the following equipment to class and should not plan to share or rely on another attendee’s equipment. Before class, please verify that all equipment is compatible and functioning properly.
- Camera (DSLR or mirrorless) with manual exposure controls
- Standard or zoom lens (general-purpose)
- Macro lens (for close-up photography)
- Dedicated TTL flash
- Wireless off-camera flash trigger/controller preferred; if using a compatible TTL flash cord, use one at least 6 feet long
- Tripod (vertical/horizontal capability)
- Remote shutter release (wired or wireless)
- Flashlight with clean white light
- Tyvek suit
Optional equipment
- Laptop
- Camera card reader
Related crime scene documentation resources
These related articles provide additional context for investigators and agencies evaluating crime scene processing, documentation, and broader CSI training needs.
Ready to host this course?
Pinnacle Forensics provides this course on-site for law enforcement agencies nationwide. Hosting allows your agency to train multiple personnel locally while reducing travel costs and time away from duty.