Crime Scene Training FAQ
Find answers about hosting a course, registration, payment, training requirements, and certification credits for law enforcement agencies and attendees.
What are the benefits of hosting a course at our agency?
Hosting brings practical forensic training to your agency, allowing your personnel to train locally while reducing travel and lodging expenses.
Host agencies receive complimentary seats based on paid registrations:
1 complimentary seat with 10 paid registrations
2 complimentary seats with 12 paid registrations
3 complimentary seats with 14 paid registrations
Pinnacle Forensics provides course materials, manages registration, prepares promotional materials, and covers instructor travel expenses. Your agency provides suitable facilities and helps promote the course to nearby agencies.
Visit our Host a Course page to discuss course options, available dates, and hosting requirements.
Which courses can our agency host?
Pinnacle Forensics offers three hands-on courses for agency hosting:
Crime Scene Photography — 40 hours (one week)
Bloodstain Pattern Analysis — 40 hours (one week)
Crime Scene Processing & Documentation — 80 hours (two weeks)
Each course combines classroom instruction with practical exercises. Visit the individual course pages for topics, equipment needs, and additional details.
Can our agency host training anywhere in the United States?
Yes. Crime Scene Photography and Crime Scene Processing & Documentation are available to host agencies throughout the United States. Bloodstain Pattern Analysis training is currently focused on Texas.
Visit our Host a Course page to discuss availability and scheduling for your agency.
What does our agency provide, and what does Pinnacle Forensics handle?
Your agency provides suitable classroom and exercise facilities, designates a course coordinator, and helps promote the training to your personnel and nearby agencies.
Pinnacle Forensics provides the instructor and course materials, manages registration and payment, and covers instructor travel expenses. We also create a course webpage, flyer, and promotional packet with ready-to-use email and social media copy to help your agency recruit attendees.
What facilities does our agency need to host a course?
All courses require a classroom with suitable seating and audiovisual equipment for presentations. Additional space depends on the course:
Crime Scene Photography: Indoor and outdoor areas for practical exercises, including a location for one nighttime photography session.
Bloodstain Pattern Analysis: A large practical exercise area with hard floors, flat walls, and a ceiling at least 10 feet high. Arrangements for the live-fire demonstration are discussed during host planning.
Crime Scene Processing & Documentation: Space for practical crime scene processing and documentation exercises.
Pinnacle Forensics will review the facility requirements with your course coordinator before scheduling.
How do we request dates and arrange a course at our agency?
Complete the inquiry form on our Host a Course page. Tell us which course interests your agency and include any preferred dates.
Pinnacle Forensics will follow up to discuss availability, facilities, enrollment requirements, and promotional responsibilities. Once those details are agreed upon, we will prepare the course webpage and promotional materials and open registration.
How do I register, and is payment required at registration?
Complete the Course Registration form for your selected course. No payment is required at registration.
Once the course reaches minimum enrollment and is confirmed, we will email payment instructions based on your selected payment method. If you select purchase order, a quote will be sent to your designated Invoice/PO contact before invoicing.
How will I know when my course is confirmed?
Courses are confirmed once we reach the minimum enrollment—10 registrations for paid seats. Complimentary host seats do not count toward that minimum.
We will email you when the course is confirmed and provide payment instructions. No payment is required before confirmation. Please wait for that email before making nonrefundable travel arrangements.
How can I pay for a course, and can my agency use a purchase order?
Pinnacle Forensics accepts checks, credit cards, and agency purchase orders. Select your preferred payment method when completing the registration form.
After we confirm your course, we will email the appropriate payment instructions. For purchase orders, we will first send a quote to your designated Invoice/PO contact so your agency can arrange the purchase order before invoicing.
What if I need to cancel my registration or send someone in my place?
You may substitute another attendee at any time.
If you need to cancel, notify Pinnacle Forensics and obtain confirmation that your cancellation has been received.
More than 14 days before the course begins: You are eligible for a full refund.
Within 14 days of the course start date: A $300 cancellation fee applies.
Failure to attend without prior notice and acknowledgment: You forfeit the full course fee.
Documented emergencies: A full refund is available with appropriate documentation.
If a course does not reach minimum enrollment, we will notify registered attendees, and no payment will be due. If Pinnacle Forensics must cancel after collecting payment, we will refund all tuition paid.
Who can attend, and do I need any prior training?
Courses are designed primarily for law enforcement officers, crime scene investigators, and forensic personnel. No prior training is required.
If you work outside law enforcement, please contact Pinnacle Forensics before registering. Attendance is considered on a case-by-case basis.
Does Pinnacle Forensics offer an online crime scene photography course?
Yes. Pinnacle Forensics is developing a comprehensive, self-paced Online Crime Scene Photography Course, anticipated to launch in 2027. Designed for forensic science students, educators, aspiring crime scene investigators, and law enforcement professionals, the course will feature highly interactive lessons covering basic, intermediate, and advanced forensic photography techniques. No prior photography experience is required.
Enrollment is not yet open. Visit our online crime scene photography course page to learn more and sign up to receive a notification when enrollment opens.
Will I get hands-on practice during the course?
Yes. Each course combines classroom instruction with substantial hands-on practice. You will apply the techniques taught through exercises in photography, bloodstain pattern analysis, or crime scene processing and documentation, depending on your course.
Crime Scene Photography also includes a nighttime session to practice low-light photography and painting with light.
Can I earn IAI certification credits by attending?
Yes. Two Pinnacle Forensics courses are approved for International Association for Identification (IAI) certification credit:
Crime Scene Photography: 40 credits toward Initial Forensic Photography & Imaging Certification and 40 credits toward Crime Scene Certification and Recertification.
Bloodstain Pattern Analysis: 40 credits toward Bloodstain Pattern Analyst Certification and Recertification and 40 credits toward Crime Scene Certification and Recertification.
Can I receive TCOLE credit, and who reports my hours?
Yes. Pinnacle Forensics courses are eligible for TCOLE continuing education credit hours when reported under an appropriate course reporting number.
Pinnacle Forensics is not a TCOLE training provider and does not report training hours directly. When a host agency is a TCOLE contractual training provider and agrees to report the course, it handles reporting. Otherwise, each participating agency handles reporting eligible training for its own personnel. Pinnacle Forensics provides supporting course documentation.
Visit our TCOLE Credit Information page for details.
Contact Pinnacle Forensics for help with registration, hosting, scheduling, or course selection.
What students and professionals say
Hear from law enforcement personnel who attended Pinnacle Forensics courses.
Very knowledgeable instructor who breaks down difficult concepts into easy-to-remember concepts with insightful hands-on practicals.
Paul Richards
Fremont Police Department
John gave great lectures and included a lot of hands-on exercises. As someone new to this field, I feel confident enough to go and take photos at any scene.
Crystal Carbajal
Rockport Police Department
The instructor is extremely knowledgeable and helpful in trying to help others succeed. I would highly recommend this training to anyone working in crime scene investigation.
Noah Hood
Longview Police Department
Host a Crime Scene Training Course
Bring hands-on forensic training to your agency and reduce travel and lodging expenses for your personnel. Host agencies receive complimentary seats based on paid registrations.
Explore course options, hosting requirements, and available dates.