La Puente Valley ROP offers an 18-week “Forensic Science Academy” during the fall and spring semesters. The goal of the Forensic Science Academy is to prepare students with the most contemporary investigative and scientific techniques thereby enabling the students to meet the growing demand for skilled crime scene investigators, fingerprint classifiers, coroner trainees, law enforcement technicians, and other related positions in the Administration of Justice field. The classes are listed below. The entire course encompasses approximately 370 hours of training per semester. All instructors are recognized experts in their respective fields. The Forensic Science Academy also boasts an active Forensic Science Club whose members network with professionals at conferences and educational seminars. Class Eleven Schedule Special thanks to Janis Cavanaugh, Lt. Don Desmaretz (retired Whittier P.D., and Diana Castro (fingerprint expert - LAPD Scientific Investigation Division), who worked together to bring you the one of a kind, hands-on training program now known as the La Puente Valley ROP Forensic Science Academy. The Modules of Study Night Stalker Case Study Friction Skin/Comparison Chemical Processing Polygraph Examination Basic Crime Scene Investigation Advanced Crime Scene Investigation Death Investigation and the Coroner's Office Fingerprint Comparison/Ridgeology Report and Resume Writing Ballistics and Firearms Gangs and Narcotics Courtroom Testimony Advanced Technology in Crime Scene Investigation   Basic Crime Scene Investigation (40 hrs.) Saturday and Sunday Instructors: David Miranda This competency-based course prepares students for entry-level positions as a crime scene investigator. The student will be able to complete all skills that are required to test for this job, including:   Advanced Technology in C.S.I. (40 hrs.) Saturday & Sunday 0730-1800 for 2 weekends Instructors: Terri Armenta This competency-based course prepares students for the entry-level positions as Laboratory Assistant Technician.  The student will understand the procedure and protocol for entering a crime and the collecting of biological evidence Demonstrate the correct methods of evidence collection and preservation utilizing safety standards Prepare, set up and run an electrophoresis test for the purpose of DNA identification Demonstrate the use of chemical processing with luminal for blood identification   Fingerprint Comparison/Ridgeology (40 hrs.) Saturday & Sunday 0730-1800 for 2 weekends Instructors: Diana Castro, Marilyn Dunne This competency-based course prepares students for the entry-level positions as a fingerprint examiner. The student will be able to complete all skills that are required to test for this job, including; Discuss the various forensic historians and their contribution to the science of fingerprint comparison technology; also known as Ridgeology. Demonstrate knowledge of the structure of the skin with a 100% accuracy on a comparison test Discuss and understand the methodology of friction skin ridge identification Identify and interpret the identity of friction ridge patterns and their development Compare packages of fingerprints using a magnifying glass and pointer   Advanced Crime Scene Investigation (40 hrs.) Saturday & Sunday 0730-1800 for 2 weekends Instructors: David Miranda, Carlton Fuller This competency-based course prepares students for entry-level positions as a crime scene investigator. The student will be able to complete all skills that are required to test for this job, including: Understand the procedure for entering and securing a crime scene Set up protocol for the collection and preservation of evidence utilizing safety standards Identify and classify the types of physical evidence Demonstrate use of chemical processing to develop and enhance   fingerprints Calculate distance to target using gun shot residue pattern technique Calculate the blood spatter pattern to determine the angle of blood for reconstruction of the crime scene Prepare a written report of evidence collected   Death Investigation & the Coroner's Office (40 hrs.) Saturday & Sunday 0730-1800 for 2 weekends Instructors: Chief Craig Harvey, Capt. David Campbell, Lt. Fred Corral, Dr. Elizabeth Miller, Brian Elias This competency-based course prepares students for entry-level positions as a coroner investigator trainee, transport officer, and autopsy technician. The student will be able to complete all skills that are required to test for this job, including: Identify the steps taken in conducting a homicide, suicide, accidental and natural cause of death investigation Understand and identify various parts of the body and how their condition relates to the cause of death Discuss the various means of making estimations of time of death Interpret and identify types of wounds, determining probable causes and weapons used   Night Stalker Case Study Instructors: Lieutenant Gil Carrillo   Friction Skin/Comparison Instructors: Diana Castro, Marilyn Dunne   Chemical Processing Instructors: Greg Gossage, Terri Armenta   Ballistics & Firearms Instructors: Janis Cavanaugh   Polygraph Examination Instructors: Erv Youngblood   Forensic Photography (40 hrs.) Saturday & Sunday 0730-1800 for 2 weekends Instructors: Greg Gossage This competency-based course prepares students for entry-level positions as a forensic photographer. The student will be able to complete all skills that are required to test for this job, including: Understand the procedures used by law enforcement and forensic photographers Interpret laws with regard to crime scene photography Demonstrate camera formats and types of film Prepare photographs utilizing the following viewpoints: general exterior, general interior, mid-range, close up, aerial and specific scene photography   Gangs and Narcotics (16 hrs.) Saturday & Sunday 0730-1630 for 1 weekend) Instructors: Chief John Distelrath (Retired) Discuss behavior and life style of a gang member Identify graffiti, read and interpret Understand the history of gangs in America   Report and Resume Writing (16 hrs.) Saturday & Sunday 0730-1630 for 1 weekend Instructors: Chief John Distelrath (Retired) This competency-based course prepares students for entry-level positions as an Evidence/Property Technician, Community Service Officer and Police Officer. The student will be able to complete all skills that are required to test for this job, including: Demonstrate the use of proper sentence structure Demonstrate the use of proper grammar when writing a report Identify the characteristics of a proper crime report Understand the benefits of a resume Write a resume to fill the need of your desired job   Courtroom Testimony (44 hrs.) Saturday & Sunday 0730-1630 for 2 weekends Instructors: Judge Margaret Bernal, Valentin Rada, Craig Mitchell This competency-based course prepares students for entry-level positions as a Community Service Officer, Police Officer, Evidence/Property Technician, Identification Technician. The student will be able to complete all skills that are required to test for this job, including: Understand courtroom procedure as defined by law Identify procedures and motions Testify to evidence collected and processes Re-create the crime scene through use of articulate information For more information, please call (626) 810-3300 x. 248