CFSI is continuing to coordinate with the California Criminalistics Institute for the provision of training in our facility. Classes on Mass Spectrometry, Pharmacology, Biological Fluid Identification, and STR techniques were presented.  In addition, four new Crime Scene Investigation courses for the CSULA Extended Education program were developed and scheduled for delivery.

CFSI  Presents

Forensic Hair Examination for DNA Analysts featuring Dr. Peter Deforest

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD THE APPLICATION

This one-day workshop will provide attendees with the knowledge to evaluate hairs submitted for case analysis in order to establish suitability for DNA testing.  

This course will include:
1. An overview of hair anatomy and the growth cycle of hair.
2. An overview of morphological characteristics,
     including somatic origin, species, and growth phase.
3. A discussion of the legal issues relating to the admissibility of hair examinations.
4. Case presentations

Hertzberg-Davis Forensic Science Center
1800 Paseo Rancho Castilla, Room 238
Los Angeles, CA 90032

May 3, 2010
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

FREE REGISTRATION
sponsored by a National Institute of Justice Training Grant
limited to the first 80 registrants

MUST be from a public agency

Lessons Learned from the 2008 Covina Christmas Eve Homicides & Fire 

Fire Service and Crime Lab Collaborations in Arson Investigations

CLICK HERE FOR THE APPLICATION

Hertzberg-Davis Forensic Science Center
1800 Paseo Rancho Castilla, Room 238
Los Angeles, CA 90032
(sw corner of California State University, Los Angeles campus)

Friday, April 9, 2010
8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Registration starts at 8 am

Speakers are:
Chief Kim Raney, Covina Police Department
Lt. Tim Doonan, Covina Police Department
Steve Arnold, Los Angeles County Fire Department
Greg Cleveland, Los Angeles County Fire Department
Brian Elias, Los Angeles County Department of Coroner
Terry Miller, City of Riverside Fire Department
Arson Criminalists from LASD  & LAPD

Cost $35 includes                         
        registration    
        certificate of attendance
        continental breakfast
        lunch
        beverages
        parking pass
       
        Raffle prizes provided by Pacific Rim ISG
       

        Limited to 80 registrants
        Open to sworn personnel & public crime lab criminalists

Refund policy: CFSI requires advanced cancellation notice of three (3) days prior to the date of the event. 

	Forensic DNA Training The members of the DNA Working Group are Steve Renteria and Cindy Carroll, LASD; Winters Reef Hardy, LAPD; and Assistant Professor Donald Johnson, CSULA.  They have developed a forensic DNA training curriculum that has been reviewed by the Bureau of Forensic Service (BFS) of the California Department of Justice.  A collaborative training effort is being coordinated by the DNA Working Group and BFS to jointly train new DNA examiners in an effort to be cost effective and efficient.  This training effort will form the core for the delivery of DNA training that will be supported by an NIJ grant awarded to CFSI. BFS is presenting a portion of its DNA Training Academy in our facility and it is hopeful that a uniform DNA training program will be promulgated between LASD, LAPD and BFS in 2009.   Additionally, work is in progress to enhance the training program with virtual laboratories and demonstrations that will be available for a Web-based delivery.  This will be of obvious benefit to crime laboratories as it increases access to this training and reduces travel costs for trainees. For “Outstanding Contributions to the Development of Forensic DNA Course,” CFSI presented Commendation Awards to Winters Reef Hardy, Steve Renteria, and Donald Johnson (pictured from right).
	Bloodspatter Pattern Interpretation When blood is found at a crime scene, information can be gleaned from the pattern of the bloodstain that will supplement the traditional DNA profile that identifies from whom the blood originated.  Such relevant details as the height and direction of the bloodshed and clues to the manner (i.e. gunshot, blunt force, dripping) in which it was shed can be obtained by careful analysis of bloodspatter patterns.  CFSI successfully presented a course in bloodspatter pattern interpretations to students ranging from seasoned homicide detectives to new criminalists starting their careers. Craig Ogino, former Director of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Crime Lab (pictured left), was the instructor for this course, whose success resulted in many requests for a second class in the near future.
	Courtroom Testimony The presentation of evidence in the courtroom by an expert witness will greatly influence the weight that a jury may place on that evidence.  Daniel Nathan (pictured left), LASD Supervising Criminalist taught effective courtroom communication skills to new forensic scientists.  He is a nationally recognized expert in this subject and has taught this subject at the university level as well as before groups of forensic science professionals.  Students learned and practiced methods to improve their testifying skills and to become more confident.