Training at GPSTC > Certification Programs > Certifications for Police Officers > Crime Scene Technician
Crime scene technicians investigate crimes by analyzing details at the scene, collecting evidence, evaluating data, and presenting their findings. The job requires meticulous attention to detail, and over the last few decades, fingerprint identifications made by law enforcement officers have come under the scrutiny of courts, juries and the public. The proliferation of misinformation through popular media only complicates the forensic disciplines. Forensic evidence collected at the scene of a crime must be able to withstand tough legal challenges, such as those presented as a result of Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 46 F.3d 1311 (9th Cir. 1995). To better prepare law enforcement officers to meet these challenges, GPSTC offers the Crime Scene Technician Certification training program. This program thoroughly prepares students to successfully collect, analyze and present evidence that stands up in court.
Completion of the Crime Scene Technician program leads to certification as a crime scene technician through the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council.
Eligibility & Pre-requisites
Candidates seeking to enroll in GPSTC’s Crime Scene Technician program, which leads to POST certification as a crime scene technician, must meet the following requirements:- Have a least one year of experience as a crime scene technician
Curriculum
Candidates must complete the following courses to become eligible to apply for certification as a Crime Scene Technician:- Fingerprint Classification
- Friction Ridge Comparisons
- Latent Print Development
- Crime Scene Investigations
- Evidence Presentation
- Basic Photography & Digital Imaging
- Bloodstain Pattern Analysis
Total program course hours: 224