Collecting evidence at a crime scene is a big responsibility—and it’s critical that everything you do holds up in court. This course helps both sworn officers and civilian crime scene personnel understand the legal principles that apply to crime scene investigations, ensuring that your work stands up under scrutiny.

You’ll get a clear look at the constitutional requirements that guide everything from getting consent to process a scene to handling death investigations. The course walks you through warrantless exceptions, the plain view doctrine, and the legal issues that can make or break a case. Real-world case studies and hands-on discussions show how to apply the law in ways that protect the integrity of your investigations.

What You’ll Learn

  • Consent to Process a Scene
    Know how to get valid consent before processing a crime scene.

  • Warrantless Exceptions
    Learn when you can legally process a scene without a warrant, like when evidence might be destroyed.

  • Death Scene Investigations
    Understand the special legal considerations that come with investigating deaths.

  • Plain View Doctrine and Search Warrants
    Make sure evidence you find in plain view—or with a warrant—will be admissible in court.

  • Standing Issues
    Spot and handle standing challenges that could affect your case.

By the end of the course, you’ll be ready to process crime scenes confidently, knowing that your work supports strong prosecutions and respects constitutional rights. You’ll leave with the legal knowledge to build cases that hold up in court and make sure justice is served.


Certificate: 2.5 Hour

Credit: In-service credit available in many states


.

.

.

.

Get Every Blue to Gold Mini Course and Save

Course curriculum

  1. 1

    • Welcome to Blue to Gold University

    • Course Introduction

    • Meet your Instructor

    • Questions and Technical Support
  2. 2

    • Introduction

    • Search & Seizure Question: Part One

    • Search & Seizure Question: Part Two

    • Search & Seizure Question: Part Three

    • Search & Seizure Question: Part Four

    • Search & Seizure Question: Part Five

    • Crime Scenes and Consent: Part One

    • Crime Scenes and Consent: Part 2

    • Crime Scenes and Warrants

    • Crime Scenes and Exigency

    • Freezing Homes

    • Coroner and Arson Investigations

    • Dealing with Witnesses

    • Search Warrant Preference

    • Detaining Occupants

    • Miranda
  3. 3

    • Final Test
  4. 4

    • CSI Case Law Presentation

    • Download Case Law

Course Reviews

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

5 star rating

Good course

Johnathan Gahr

I learned some case law from this that I had not heard before. Good informational class.

I learned some case law from this that I had not heard before. Good informational class.

Read Less
5 star rating

Detective

Erik Jandt

Great class!

Great class!

Read Less
5 star rating

Solid

Troy Wylie

Helpful information, very well presented, in manageable portions.

Helpful information, very well presented, in manageable portions.

Read Less
5 star rating

Great Course

Jeffrey Beazizo

Thank you for putting together a great course. We all appreciate it!

Thank you for putting together a great course. We all appreciate it!

Read Less

  • Our courses are designed to be comprehensive, engaging, and well-structured delivered by a knowledgeable and passionate instructor.

  • Up-to-date, practical content that reflects industry trends and is presented in an easy-to-understand manner.

  • Collaborative opportunities, feedback, and assessment to facilitate student learning and progress tracking.

  • Our courses provide practical skills and knowledge that can be applied in real-life situations, with relevant examples, case studies, and exercises.

  • You will receive a certificate of completion.