Training: Forensics
NIJ sponsors a variety of courses, both online (live, self-paced and prerecorded) and in a classroom, for criminal justice professionals. Courses are free unless otherwise noted.
Find courses by topic:
- Courtroom Presentation and Officers of the Court
- Crime Scene Investigation
- Digital Forensics
- Fingerprints
- Firearms Examination
- Fish and Wildlife Investigation
- Forensic DNA/Biology
- Pattern and Impression Evidence
- Laboratory Management & Administration
- Medicolegal Death Investigation
- Microscopy
- Questioned Documents
- Sexual Assault Forensic Examination
- Toxicology and Controlled Substance
- Trace Evidence
| Course | Registration | Starts | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Courtroom Presentation and Officers of the Court | |||
| How to Be a Good Expert Witness RTI International |
Open, class size is limited | Sept 27, 2-3pm ET
Required pretest begins at 1:30pm. |
Web (live event) |
| Law 101: Legal Guide for Forensic Experts DNA.gov |
Open | Anytime | Web (self-paced) |
| Expert Testimony Training for the Prosecutor and Scientist RTI International |
Open | Anytime | Web (self-paced) |
| Expert Testimony Training for the Prosecutor and Scientist II RTI International |
Open | Anytime | Web (self-paced) |
| Forensic DNA Databases & Courtroom Considerations Forensic Training Network |
Open | Anytime | Web (self-paced) |
| Communication Skills, Report Writing, and Courtroom Testimony DNA.gov |
Open | Anytime | Web (self-paced) |
| Ethics in Forensic Science West Virginia University |
Open. Free for public lab employees. See site for pricing for federal employees and the general public. | Anytime | Web (self-paced) |
| Forensic Mass Spectrometry West Virginia University |
Open. Free for public lab employees. See site for pricing for federal employees and the general public. | Anytime | Web (self-paced) |
| Perspectives in Expert Testimony West Virginia University |
Open. Free for public lab employees. See site for pricing for federal employees and the general public. | Anytime | Web (self-paced) |
| Roles in Forensic Science: The Sociological Perspective West Virginia University |
Open. Free for public lab employees. See site for pricing for federal employees and the general public. | Anytime | Web (self-paced) |
| Crime Scene Investigation | |||
| Forensic Entomology for the Crime Scene Investigator West Virginia University |
Open. Free for public lab employees. See site for pricing for federal employees and the general public. | Anytime | Web (self-paced) |
| CBRNE for First Responders National Center for Forensic Science |
Open | Anytime | Web (prerecorded) |
| High Explosives National Center for Forensic Science |
Open | Anytime | Web (prerecorded) |
| National Forensic Academy Investigator - Virtual Reality (I-VR) Law Enforcement Innovation Center |
Open | Anytime | Web (self-paced) |
| Crime Scene and DNA Basics DNA.gov |
Open | Anytime | Web (self-paced) |
| Field Investigation Drug Officer (FIDO) Program: A Technology Transition Workshop National Forensic Science Technology Center |
Not required | Anytime | Web (prerecorded) |
| To Hell and Back: The Ethics of Stewardship and the Stewardship of Ethics RTI International |
Open | Anytime | Web (prerecorded) |
| Cold Case Analysis Training for Law Enforcement and Prosecutors Virginia Center for Policing Innovation |
Open Restricted to active law enforcement officers and prosecutors |
Anytime | Web (self-paced) |
| Forensic Science 101: An Introduction West Virginia University |
Open. Free for public lab employees. See site for pricing for federal employees and the general public. | Anytime | Web (self-paced) |
| The Basics of Biological Evidence West Virginia University |
Open. Free for public lab employees. See site for pricing for federal employees and the general public. | Anytime | Web (self-paced) |
| Crime Scene Investigation West Virginia University |
Open. Free for public lab employees. See site for pricing for federal employees and the general public. | Anytime | Web (self-paced) |
| Forensic Photography West Virginia University |
Open. Free for public lab employees. See site for pricing for federal employees and the general public. | Anytime | Web (self-paced) |
| Introduction to Bloodstain Pattern Analysis West Virginia University |
Open. Free for public lab employees. See site for pricing for federal employees and the general public. | Anytime | Web (self-paced) |
| Shooting Reconstruction West Virginia University |
Open. Free for public lab employees. See site for pricing for federal employees and the general public. | Anytime | Web (self-paced) |
| Offender Profiling: Psychology Contributions to Behavioral Crime Scene Analysis RTI International |
Open | Anytime | Web (self-paced) |
| Developing a Missing Persons Protocol (en Espanol: Desarrollar un protocolo de Personas Desaparecidas) RTI International |
Open | Anytime | Web (prerecorded) |
| Cold Case Safety Net: Missing and Unidentified Persons RTI International |
Open | Anytime | Web (prerecorded) |
| Investigative Strategies: Missing and Unidentified Person Cases RTI International |
Open | Anytime | Web (prerecorded) |
| CODIS for Missing Persons: Using DNA for the Investigation of Remains RTI International |
Open | Anytime | Web (prerecorded) |
| Digital Forensics | |||
| Computer Forensic Investigative Training Electronic Crime Technology Center of Excellence |
Open | Oct. 16, 2012 | Classroom: Riverton, Wyo. |
| Digital Evidence Collection Training (D.E.C.T.) Electronic Crime Technology Center of Excellence |
Open | Oct. 18, 2012 | Classroom: Riverton, Wyo. |
| NIJ also has sponsored development of a number of digital forensic courses that can be hosted by agencies. Learn more about additional digital forensic training opportunities. | |||
| Firearms Examination | |||
| Firearms Examiner Training NIJ website |
Not required | Anytime | Web (self-paced) |
| Fingerprints | |||
| Latent Print Examiner Training Program National Forensic Science Technology Center |
Closed | Five 2-week sessions beginning July 9 and ending Nov. 16, 2012 | Classroom: Largo, Fla. |
| Forensic Fingerprints Analysis Basics Forensic Training Network |
Open | Anytime | Web (self-paced) |
| Latent Fingerprint Image Enhancement: A Technology Transition Workshop National Forensic Science Technology Center |
Not required | Anytime | Web (prerecorded) |
| Automated Fingerprint Identification System West Virginia University |
Open. Free for public lab employees. See site for pricing for federal employees and the general public. | Anytime | Web (self-paced) |
| The Science of Fingerprints West Virginia University |
Open. Free for public lab employees. See site for pricing for federal employees and the general public. | Anytime | Web (self-paced) |
| Fish and Wildlife Investigation | |||
| Introduction to Fish and Wildlife Investigations West Virginia University |
Open. Free for public lab employees. See site for pricing for federal employees and the general public. | Anytime | Web (self-paced) |
| Forensic DNA/Biology | |||
| Comprehensive Training Program in Forensic DNA Interpretation and Statistics UNT Health Science Center |
Forthcoming | Forthcoming | Ft. Worth, TX |
| Amplified DNA Product Separation DNA.gov |
Open | Anytime | Web (self-paced) |
| Hair Evaluation for DNA Analysis West Virginia University |
Open. Free for public lab employees. See site for pricing for federal employees and the general public. | Anytime | Web (self-paced) |
| Population Genetics and Statistics DNA.gov |
Open | Anytime | Web (self-paced) |
| STR Data Analysis and Interpretation DNA.gov |
Open | Anytime | Web (self-paced) |
| Forensic STR Data Analysis Forensic Training Network |
Open | Anytime | Web (self-paced) |
| Forensic STR Data Interpretation Forensic Training Network |
Open | Anytime | Web (self-paced) |
| Forensic STR Data Interpretation Forensic Training Network |
Open | Anytime | Web (self-paced) |
| Forensic STR Amplification Forensic Training Network |
Open | Anytime | Web (self-paced) |
| Advanced and Emerging DNA Techniques and Technologies DNA.gov |
Open | Anytime | Web (self-paced) |
| Fundamental Biology & Genetics of Forensic DNA Testing Forensic Training Network |
Open | Anytime | Web (self-paced) |
| Essential Aspects of Forensic DNA Testing Forensic Training Network |
Open | Anytime | Web (self-paced) |
| Forensic DNA Testing Quality Assurance & Validation Forensic Training Network |
Open | Anytime | Web (self-paced) |
| Forensic DNA Testing Basics Forensic Training Network |
Open | Anytime | Web (self-paced) |
| Biological Evidence Screening and Serology Forensic Training Network |
Open | Anytime | Web (self-paced) |
| Forensic DNA Testing Markers and Methods Forensic Training Network |
Open | Anytime | Web (self-paced) |
| Non-STR DNA Markers: SNPs, Y-STRs, LCN and mtDNA DNA.gov |
Open | Anytime | Web (self-paced) |
| DNA Extraction for Forensic STR Analysis Forensic Training Network |
Open | Anytime | Web (self-paced) |
| DNA Quantification for Forensic STR Analysis Forensic Training Network |
Open | Anytime | Web (self-paced) |
| DNA Extraction and Quantitation DNA.gov |
Open | Anytime | Web (self-paced) |
| DNA Amplification DNA.gov |
Open | Anytime | Web (self-paced) |
| Capillary Electrophoresis for Forensic STR Analysis Forensic Training Network |
Open | Anytime | Web (self-paced) |
| Crime Scene and DNA Basics DNA.gov |
Open | Anytime | Web (self-paced) |
| Forensic DNA Databases & Courtroom Considerations Forensic Training Network |
Open | Anytime | Web (self-paced) |
| Communication Skills, Report Writing, and Courtroom Testimony DNA.gov |
Open | Anytime | Web (self-paced) |
| Laser Microdissection for Technical Managers and Supervisors: A Technology Transition Workshop National Forensic Science Technology Center |
Not required | Anytime | Web (prerecorded) |
| Mitochondrial and STR DNA Analysis by Mass Spectrometry Using the Ibis Biosciences Platform: A Technology Transition Workshop National Forensic Science Technology Center |
Not required | Anytime | Web (prerecorded) |
| Miniaturized Microfluidic Devices: A Technology Transition Workshop National Forensic Science Technology Center |
Not required | Anytime | Web (prerecorded) |
| Laser Microdissection for Examiners: A Technology Transition Workshop National Forensic Science Technology Center |
Not required | Anytime | Web (prerecorded) |
| Pattern and Impression Evidence | |||
| Integrated Ballistic Identification System (IBIS) West Virginia University |
Open. Free for public lab employees. See site for pricing for federal employees and the general public. | Anytime | Web (self-paced) |
| Introduction to Firearms and Toolmarks West Virginia University |
Closed. Will be offered again Spring 2012. |
Forthcoming | Web (self-paced) |
| Polynomial Texture Mapping for Footwear/Tire Impressions: A Technology Transition Workshop National Forensic Science Technology Center |
Not required | Anytime | Web (prerecorded) |
| Laboratory Management and Administration | |||
| Transition to Leadership West Virginia University |
Open. Free for public lab employees. See site for pricing for federal employees and the general public. | Anytime | Web (self-paced) |
| Laboratory Orientation and Testing of Body Fluids and Tissues DNA.gov |
Open | Anytime | Web (self-paced) |
| Laboratory Safety Programs DNA.gov |
Open | Anytime | Web (self-paced) |
| SOP Writing for ISO 17025 Accreditation RTI International |
Open | Anytime | Web (prerecorded) |
| Best Practices for Volumetric Measurement RTI International |
Open | Anytime | Web (prerecorded) |
| Laser Microdissection for Technical Managers and Supervisors: A Technology Transition Workshop National Forensic Science Technology Center |
Not required | Anytime | Web (prerecorded) |
| Answering the NAS: The Ethics of Leadership and the Leadership of Ethics (Ethics II) RTI International |
Open | Anytime | Web (self-paced) |
| Medicolegal Death Investigation | |||
| Recreational Asphyxia: Mechanical RTI International and the National Academy of Medical Examiners |
Closed | Forthcoming | Web (recording forthcoming) |
| Recreational Asphyxia: Chemical RTI International and the National Academy of Medical Examiners |
Closed | Forthcoming | Web (recording forthcoming) |
| Forensic Sciences: An Overview for Medicolegal Death Investigators National Forensic Science Technology Center |
Open to medicolegal death investigation practitioners | April through September 2012 | Web (16-20 hours) |
| Principles of Death Investigation West Virginia University |
Open. Free for public lab employees. See site for pricing for federal employees and the general public. | Anytime | Web (self-paced) |
| Investigating Sudden Deaths: Cause of Death Scenarios That Mimic One Another RTI International |
Open | Anytime | Web (prerecorded) |
| Death Investigation in the Elderly RTI International |
Open | Anytime | Web (prerecorded) |
| Sudden, Unexplained Infant Death Investigation: Death Scene Re-creation RTI International |
Open | Anytime | Web (prerecorded) |
| Sudden, Unexplained Infant Death Investigation: An Overview and Top 25 Critical Points to Consider RTI International |
Open | Anytime | Web (prerecorded) |
| Sudden, Unexplained Infant Death Investigation: Infant Growth and Development RTI International |
Open | Anytime | Web (prerecorded) |
| Forensic Photography West Virginia University |
Open. Free for public lab employees. See site for pricing for federal employees and the general public. | Anytime | Web (self-paced) |
| Introduction to Bloodstain Pattern Analysis West Virginia University |
Open. Free for public lab employees. See site for pricing for federal employees and the general public. | Anytime | Web (self-paced) |
| Crime Scene and DNA Basics DNA.gov |
Open | Anytime | Web (self-paced) |
| Communication Skills, Report Writing, and Courtroom Testimony DNA.gov |
Open | Anytime | Web (self-paced) |
| Advances in Forensic Anthropology National Forensic Science Technology Center |
Open | Anytime | Web (prerecorded) |
| Forensic Anthropology: Mapping and Excavation of Clandestine Graves RTI International |
Open | Anytime | Web (prerecorded) |
| Microscopy | |||
| Modern Polarized Light Microscopy Hooke College of Applied Sciences |
Open but there is a waitlist for the course beginning Oct. 8. | Oct. 8-12, 2012
June 17-21, 2013 Oct. 7-11, 2013 |
Westmont, Ill. |
| Scanning Electron Microscopy Hooke College of Applied Sciences |
Open but there is a waitlist for the session beginning Oct. 15. | Oct. 15-19, 2012
March 4-8, 2013 Oct. 21-25, 2013 |
Westmont, Ill. |
| Infrared Microscopy Hooke College of Applied Sciences |
Open | Oct. 30-Nov. 1, 2012 | Westmont, Ill. |
| Forensic Soil Examination Part 2 Hooke College of Applied Sciences |
Open | Oct. 22-26, 2012 | Westmont, Ill. |
| Sample Preparation: Forensics and Trace Evidence Hooke College of Applied Sciences |
Open | Oct. 16-18, 2012 | Classroom: Westmont, Ill. |
| White-Powder Unknowns Part 1 Hooke College of Applied Sciences |
Open | Feb. 25-Mar. 1, 2013 | Classroom: Westmont, Ill. |
| Forensic Fiber Identification Hooke College of Applied Sciences |
Open | May 20-24, 2013 | Classroom: Westmont, Ill. |
| Raman Microspectroscopy Hooke College of Applied Sciences |
Open | June 4-6, 2013 | Classroom: Westmont, Ill. |
| Gunshot Residue Identification Hooke College of Applied Sciences |
Open | June 4-6, 2013 | Classroom: Westmont, Ill. |
| Advanced Imaging Techniques For Scanning Electron Microscopy Hooke College of Applied Sciences |
Open | July 15-16, 2013 | Classroom: Westmont, Ill. |
| Advanced X-Ray Microanalysis By EDS Hooke College of Applied Sciences |
Open | July 17-19, 2013 | Classroom: Westmont, Ill. |
| Questioned Documents | |||
| Fundamentals of Forensic Questioned Documents West Virginia University |
Open. Free for public lab employees. See site for pricing for federal employees and the general public. | Anytime | Web (self-paced) |
| Cedar Fox Questioned Documents Workshop: A Technology Transition Workshop National Forensic Science Technology Center |
Not required | Anytime | Web (prerecorded) |
| Sexual Assault Forensic Examination | |||
| NIJ and the Office on Violence Against Women also sponsored development of the CD-based state-of-the-art training tool on forensic examinations Sexual Assault: Forensic and Clinical Management by the Dartmouth Interactive Media Lab. This virtual practicum is based on based on the National Protocol for Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Examinations. Learn more about the this training tool. | |||
| Toxicology and Controlled Substance | |||
| Fundamentals of Immunoassy Testing in Toxicology RTI International |
Open | Anytime | Web (prerecorded) |
| Using a Cheminformatics Database: Introduction to ForensicDB RTI International |
Open | Anytime | Web (recording forthcoming) |
| Fundamentals of Forensic Toxicology West Virginia University |
Open. Free for public lab employees. See site for pricing for federal employees and the general public. | Anytime | Web (self-paced) |
| Fundamentals of Forensic Toxicology West Virginia University |
Open. Free for public lab employees. See site for pricing for federal employees and the general public. | Anytime | Web (self-paced) |
| Fundamentals of Non-Mass Selective Detectors RTI International |
Open | Anytime | Web (prerecorded) |
| Field Detection of Drugs and Explosives Odor Signatures Using Planar Solid Phase Microextraction Ion Mobility Spectrometry National Forensic Science Technology Center |
Open | Anytime | Web (prerecorded) |
| Using a Cheminformatics Data Library RTI International |
Live course has passed; recorded version is forthcoming. | Anytime | Web (prerecorded) |
| Forensic Mass Spectrometry West Virginia University |
Open. Free for public lab employees. See site for pricing for federal employees and the general public. | Anytime | Web (self-paced) |
| Introduction to Forensic Drug Chemistry West Virginia University |
Open. Free for public lab employees. See site for pricing for federal employees and the general public. | Anytime | Web (self-paced) |
| Best Practices for Volumetric Measurement RTI International |
Open | Anytime | Web (prerecorded) |
| Oxymorphone in Post Mortem Fluids and Tissues RTI International |
Open | Anytime | Web (prerecorded) |
| Challenges in Dug-Facilitated Sexual Assault (DFSA) RTI International |
Open | Anytime | Web (prerecorded) |
| An Overview of DFSA SAFE/SANE/SART Protocol I RTI International |
Open | Anytime | Web (prerecorded) |
| An Overview of DFSA SAFE/SANE/SART Protocol II RTI International |
Open | Anytime | Web (prerecorded) |
| Introduction to Uncertainty in Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology, Part 1 RTI International |
Open | Anytime | Web (prerecorded) |
|
Introduction to Uncertainty in Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology, Part 2 |
Open |
Anytime | Web (prerecorded) |
| Introduction to Uncertainty in Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology, Part 3 RTI International |
Open |
Anytime | Web (prerecorded) |
| Fundamentals of LC/MS/MS RTI International |
Open | Anytime | Web (prerecorded) |
| Best Practices for Volumetric Measurement RTI International |
Open | Anytime | Web (prerecorded) |
| The Zzzz Drugs: From Analysis to Interpretation RTI International |
Open | Anytime | Web (prerecorded) |
| Opioids and Pain Management RTI International |
Open | Anytime | Web (prerecorded) |
| Liquid Chromotography/Dual Mass Spectrometry: A Technology Transition Workshop National Forensic Science Technology Center |
Not required | Anytime | Web (prerecorded) |
| DART Mass Spectrometry: A Technology Transition Workshop |
Not required | Anytime | Web (prerecorded) |
| Specimen Validity Testing: The Workplace Experience RTI International |
Open | Anytime | Web (prerecorded) |
| Trace Evidence | |||
| Fibers and Textiles for Forensic Scientists West Virginia University |
Open. Free for public lab employees. See site for pricing for federal employees and the general public. | Anytime | Web (self-paced) |
| Modern Polarized Light Microscopy Hooke College of Applied Sciences |
Open | Oct. 8, 2012 | Classroom: Westmont, Ill. |
| Scanning Electron Microscopy Hooke College of Applied Sciences |
Open | Oct. 15, 2012 | Classroom: Westmont, Ill. |
| Infrared Microscopy Hooke College of Applied Sciences |
Open but there is a waitlist for session beginning Oct. 30. | Oct. 30-Nov. 1, 2012 Nov. 5-7, 2013 |
Classroom: Westmont, Ill. |
| Identification of Building Materials Hooke College of Applied Sciences |
Open | Oct. 1, 2012 | Classroom: Westmont, Ill. |
| Forensic Soil Examination-Part 2 Hooke College of Applied Sciences |
Open | Oct. 22, 2012 | Classroom: Westmont, Ill. |
| DART Mass Spectrometry: A Technology Transition Workshop National Forensic Science Technology Center |
Not required | Anytime | Web (prerecorded) |
| High Explosives National Center for Forensic Science |
Open | Anytime | Web (prerecorded) |
Date Modified: October 4, 2012
