Sex Crimes Investigations

40 Hour Training Course / KLEC Certified
Tuition: $900

Course Description:

This course has been developed to enhance the skills, knowledge, and abilities of the first responder as well as the criminal investigator. The curriculum has specific investigative skill-based instruction designed to build on prior training and experience. The overview of sex-related crimes, sex offenders, and sexual perversions are presented from an investigative perspective. Instructional personnel, with extensive field experience in the investigation of sex-related crimes, deliver this professional development program in a manner designed to enhance an investigator’s analytical skills, along with their investigative skills and techniques. This training is delivered with graphic descriptions, language, and discussion. Videotapes, high impact instruction, crime scene photographs and actual case studies, designed to specifically illustrate and support the topics, are continually presented during this course. Participants will have an understanding of the skills, knowledge, and abilities associated with the utilization of criminal profiling techniques during the investigation, prosecution, incarceration, and monitoring of sex crime parolees. The course contains very practical information intended to aid police personnel in rendering successful resolution of criminal investigations of a sexual nature.  Due to the varied course content, it is suitable for patrol personnel, newly appointed investigators as well as experienced investigators.

Disclaimer: This course is delivered with graphic descriptions, language, and discussion. Photographs, videos, interactive instruction, and actual case studies may be used to illustrate and support the topics presented during this course. Course content is developed from actual cases involving perpetrators who have been prosecuted for the crimes being discussed. The psychological and cultural worlds within which these individuals operate are openly presented.

Course Topics and Areas of Study:

  • Myths and Stereotyping of Sexual Assault Cases
  • Legal and Ethical Aspects of Sexual Assault Investigations
  • Rape Trauma Syndrome & Emotional First Aid
  • Initial Response
  • The Man Behind the Mask Case Study Part I
  • Physical Evidence
  • Interviewing
  • Interrogation
  • Pattern Identification, Investigation & Response
  • The Man Behind the Mask Case Study Part II
  • Stress Management for Sexual Assault Investigators
  • Mobile Phone, Social Media and Digital Photograph Exploitation
  • Special Investigative Challenges: Alleged Assault Within Institutions
  • Criminal Profiling Techniques for Sex Crimes Investigators: Application of the Methodology Utilized When Analyzing Sexual Crimes
  • The Reliability of Eyewitness Identifications
  • False Allegations of Rape
  • The Assessment of Verbal and Written Statements to Determine Deception
  • Analysis of Six Rape Victim Statements to Determine Deception and Case Linkage
  • Case Study: "Lethal Shadow: A True Crime Story of a Sadistic Serial Rapist & Killer"

    Course Materials and Equipment

    IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

    Course materials (i.e., Powerpoint presentations, handouts, articles, etc.) will be provided electronically for this course on a computerized access link provided to registered students prior to the class.   It is highly recommended that students download course materials to a laptop, tablet or other device  prior to the first day of class and bring the device with them to the course.  Otherwise, students should print SPI-provided course materials from the access link and bring printed materials with them to class.

    In order to download course materials from the access link, PowerPoint, Word, and Excel software (Office Suite) should be installed on laptop, tablet or other device.

    Who Should Attend:

    Law enforcement officers, (uniform patrol personnel, detectives, newly appointed investigators as well as experienced investigators and other authorized officials who are responsible for investigating criminal investigations of a sexual nature)

    Instructors:

    Tim Hardiman

    Robert J Morton

    Upcoming Training and Lodging:

    If this course is not currently scheduled, it can be brought to your region by a co-hosting agency or through a contract. Learn more.

    Registration

    Click here to register for courses.

    What Our Graduates Are Saying:

    "This course gave me a great knowledge concerning legal and ethical aspects of sexual assault investigations. Moreover, it strengthened my skills and knowledge concerning criminal profiling, statement analysis, and behavior analysis."

    "The course was a totally new material to me. I find it an interesting, useful, as well as an engaging course. I consider that now I have an overall knowledge about investigating sex crimes with a clear idea about the techniques used in handling these kinds of cases."

    "The way the instructor (Peter Smerick) approaches and explains the material was outstanding. The tons of experience he has was reflected in each word he said. The well-organized way of delivering the material reflects the high experience and knowledge he has acquired and accumulated over time."

    "As a new investigator, I think this class was a good mix of information geared for new and seasoned investigators."

    "I attended this class back in 2006 and decided I needed to attend as a refresher. It was well worthwhile. The sections on electronic devices were all new and that in itself made this worthwhile. Both instructors are rock solid individuals who willingly share their information."

    "Excellent class for new investigators; as a patrol sergeant with no investigative experience, but a department-wide directive to get training in this area, this course has given me lots of information to take back and utilize in developing guidelines for my officers – what patrol can do to a successful initial investigation, based on what detectives will be looking for down the road."

    "Great course, more geared towards investigators. I do feel that supervisors should also take it because it gives them an idea and better understanding into the work the detective has to put in to be successful."

    "This course was very valuable in the sense of sex crimes and violent crime investigations. I would definitely recommend other investigations to take this course."

    "This course was very worthwhile. The teaching styles of both instructors make the material interesting and instructional. I would recommend more training of this type for all officers."

    "An excellent block of material for such a condensed time frame."

    "This course was excellent. The material on victim behavior was eye opening. The material was presented in a very understandable way and taught by individuals who have a true passion for it."

    "As a Patrol Sgt. I feel that this course was outstanding. It re-enforced current knowledge, but also provided me with current information and trends. This course will definitely help me better respond to and prepare the initial report on sex cases.

    "This course was a great course. I have not had training this informative in my military police, CID and NCIS career over 13 years. The information is pertinent and can extend further than sex assault investigations. The profiling piece was very informative. I learned a new perspective from this course."

    "This has been the best course in my 10 years on the job. The instructors, the material, the videos, and the class participation were all valuable. The material was perfect for new and seasoned detectives/officers."

    "This course helped me improve my interview skills and statement analysis skills that I can use on many crimes I deal with."

    "I found the course to be extremely helpful and informative. The instructors were knowledgeable and interesting and encouraged participation. I will use much of what I've learned this week."

    "The course was very informative and as always at SPI, it was presented in a professional manner by some of the best instructors in the nation! Thanks once again!"

    "The course provided a good insight to the thoughts and actions of sexual assault victims. Good tools provided to use on current and future cases."

    "I enjoyed the course for the full overview of information... I learned a few new approaches and felt the class interaction was good for multiple ideas and approaches to the case."