Medicolegal Death Investigation Academy

The Center for Applied Forensics will be conducting the final session of this training for 2018 regarding basic death scene investigation techniques and investigative procedures.  

This four (4) day training session is intended to introduce public safety personnel to the fundamentals of medicolegal death investigations. Basic death scene investigation techniques are stressed and investigative procedures are thoroughly discussed.

Topics covered during the presentations include: Alabama Laws Pertaining to Death Investigation, Emergency Medical Treatment, Estimation of time of death, Post Mortem Changes, Human Identification Methodologies, Forensic Autopsy, Courtroom testimony, Critical incident stress debriefing, Family notification.

Those forensics practices associated with medicolegal death investigations will also be addressed such as; toxicology, ballistics/firearms, anthropology, entomology.

Special emphasis will be placed upon various modalities and causes of death such as; Alcohol and drugs, Asphyxia, Blunt Force Trauma, Child Maltreatment, Sharp Force Trauma , Drowning , Electrocution , Explosion , Fire, Exposure, Falls, Gunshot wounds, Head trauma, Natural Deaths, S.I.D.S, Suicide.

At the completion of the four (4) day training, participants will be provided with a medicolegal scene kit containing supplies to aid in the processing of death scenes. 

This training is limited to 30 participants per offering and is limited to rural Alabama public safety agencies (Law Enforcement and Coroner's Offices) that are tasked with the processing of death scenes.  Maximum number of participants is two (2) from any agency.

Participants must fill out an application and fax (256-782-8585) or email (forensics@jsu.edu) the application back to Center for Applied Forensics.  The applicant will be notified of acceptance by the date specified on the announcement.

Apply for Training

The training is free of cost.  Participants are responsible for the cost of travel and lodging.  

This project is supported by Subgrant# 16-DJ-ST-007, awarded by the Law Enforcement /Traffic Safety Division of the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs and the U.S. Department of Justice.