DPS NEWS

Inside Crime Scene Academy

Each year the Utah Department of Public Safety’s Forensic Services Bureau offers investigators from agencies across Utah and neighboring states the chance to further their knowledge on crime scenes. This year, investigators from Bountiful Police, Centerville Police, Davis County Sheriff’s Office, Cottonwood Heights Police, Murray, Police, American Fork Police, Grantsville Police and the Idaho State Crime Lab.

The goal of the week long crime scene academy is to provide a new investigator with the knowledge and tools they’ll need to correctly evaluate, preserve, document, and collect physical evidence commonly found at a crime scene.  The academy is split into two different series: basic and advance.

Along with hands on training, during the week students participate in informative presentations, hands-on practicals, and written exams given every day with a final mock crime scene on the last day. The mock crime scene allows the students to demonstrate the skills they have learned and practiced throughout the week.

The crime lab was established in 1978 to provide criminalistic laboratory services to federal, state, and local law enforcement, prosecuting attorneys and public defenders. The lab is the only full-service forensic lab in the State of Utah.  We serve over 175 agencies representing Utah’s population.