Lesson 1Latent fingerprint recovery methods: powder, cyanoacrylate fuming, alternative light sources, lifting and packaging printsThis section details locating and developing latent fingerprints using powders, cyanoacrylate fuming, and alternative light sources, then lifting, labelling, and packaging developed prints to preserve ridge detail and evidentiary value.
Selecting appropriate fingerprint powdersCyanoacrylate fuming workflowsUsing ALS to locate latent printsLifting with tape, hinge lifters, gelsLabelling and packaging lifted printsAvoiding contamination and overdevelopmentLesson 2Tool mark and entry point evidence: documenting broken window/frame, collection of tool fragments, casting and photographyThis section covers recognition and documentation of tool marks and entry points, including photographing damaged frames and locks, casting tool impressions, collecting tool fragments, and preserving surfaces for later comparison.
Surveying doors, windows, and framesClose-up photography with oblique lightCasting tool marks with silicone or dental stoneCollecting and packaging tool fragmentsProtecting marked surfaces from handlingRecording measurements and orientationLesson 3Biological evidence packaging and labelling: evidence envelopes, breathable containers for wet items, swabbing vs bulk collectionThis section explains how to select and label packaging for biological evidence, emphasising breathable containers, separation of wet and dry items, swabbing versus bulk collection, and labelling that supports later laboratory analysis.
Choosing envelopes, bags, and boxesUsing breathable containers for wet itemsSwabbing versus bulk item submissionPreventing mould and cross-contaminationLabelling for source, location, and hazardsSealing methods and tamper-evident tapeLesson 4Footwear and impression evidence: casting techniques (dental stone, silicone), photography with scales, recovery of partial printsThis section focuses on locating, documenting, and recovering footwear and other impression evidence, including photography with scales, casting with dental stone or silicone, lifting partial prints, and protecting impressions from damage.
Searching for latent and visible impressionsPhotographing impressions with scalesCasting with dental stone outdoorsSilicone and gel casting for delicate printsLifting dusty or partial footwear marksProtecting impressions from weather and trafficLesson 5Questioned documents and paper evidence: handling printed case files, securing originals vs copies, avoiding heat/moisture damageThis section addresses handling questioned documents and paper evidence, including securing originals, limiting handling, avoiding heat and moisture, packaging printed case files, and documenting any preexisting damage or alterations.
Recognising document evidence typesMinimising handling and using supportsSeparating originals from working copiesPackaging to prevent folds and tearsAvoiding heat, light, and moisture damageDocumenting existing marks and alterationsLesson 6Trace evidence collection: tape lifts, vacuuming, tweezers, particle sampling, avoiding contaminationThis section details methods for collecting trace evidence such as fibres, hairs, and particulates using tape lifts, vacuuming, and tweezers, while minimising contamination and preserving spatial relationships for interpretation.
Prioritising trace evidence at scenesTape lifts: selection and applicationVacuum collection and filter handlingTweezers and micro-spatula techniquesPackaging trace from different substratesContamination control and field blanksLesson 7Comprehensive evidence checklist for office scenes: glass, textiles, footwear impressions, tool marks, fibres, fluidsThis section provides a structured checklist for office crime scenes, ensuring systematic identification and collection of glass, textiles, footwear impressions, tool marks, fibres, and biological fluids without overlooking critical trace evidence.
Pre-entry planning and PPE selectionSystematic room-by-room walkthroughChecklist for glass and broken fixturesChecklist for textiles, papers, and fabricsChecklist for footwear and tool marksChecklist for fluids, hairs, and fibresLesson 8Glass and broken object evidence: fracture pattern documentation, edge matching, collection and packaging of shardsThis section addresses identification and collection of glass and broken object evidence, including fracture pattern documentation, direction-of-force assessment, edge matching, and safe packaging of shards to preserve reconstruction potential.
Photographing glass in situRadial and concentric fracture patternsDirection-of-force interpretation basicsEdge matching and reconstruction stepsCollecting and packaging glass shardsSafety measures when handling sharp glassLesson 9Blood and biological fluids: presumptive tests, safe collection, swabbing techniques, drying, packaging and cold-chain considerationsThis section explains recognition and safe handling of blood and biological fluids, presumptive testing, swabbing and cutting techniques, drying procedures, packaging, and cold-chain practices that preserve DNA and minimise health risks.
Scene safety and PPE for biohazardsLocating and documenting bloodstainsPresumptive tests for blood and semenSwabbing, cutting, and scraping methodsDrying biological samples before packingCold-chain planning and documentationLesson 10Evidence storage and transport: evidence rooms, refrigeration for biologicals, transporting electronic devices safelyThis section covers secure storage and transport of physical, biological, and digital evidence, including evidence room controls, refrigeration, packaging choices, and procedures that prevent degradation, loss, or alteration during movement.
Evidence room access and loggingShort- and long-term storage optionsRefrigeration and freezing of biologicalsPackaging for safe transport in vehiclesTransporting electronic devices safelyMonitoring temperature and chain of custody
