Crime Scene Investigation
October 31st - November 2nd, 2023
Practical Education for the Law Enforcement Officer
Presenter: Detective Dave MacNeil (Watertown MA Police Department)
Hosted by: Weston Police Department, 180 Boston Post Road By-Pass, Weston, MA
About the presenter
Since 1986, Dave has been a dedicated member of the Watertown, MA Police Department, serving as a detective in the Division of Criminal Investigations. In addition to overseeing the department’s crime lab, he is the primary investigator in major crimes and also serves as the department photographer.
Dave’s impressive educational background includes a degree from Western New England College, completed and unanimously elected as class leader of the National Forensic Academy Session XVII, and specialized training from the DEA, FBI, and United States Secret Service Academies.
With a deep commitment to his profession, Dave is actively involved and a board of directors member in several organizations, including the Vidocq Society, Cold Case Initiative, Safe Community Cooperative and Watertown Police Relief Association. He has held leadership positions in the National Forensic Academy Alumni Association, Licensed Private Detectives of Massachusetts, and serves as a member of LPDAM, ASIS, IAI, NEDIAI, NEMLEC, IAFCI, INTELLENET, SCALI, ICSIA and NFAAA.
Dave is a highly respected educator, serving as a teaching associate for the National Forensic Academy and a CSI Instructor for Northeast Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (NEMLEC) and Sirchie. He has taught at the local, state, and federal level, as well as for Boston University’s Forensic Science Program.
During the investigation and capture of the Boston Marathon Bombers, Dave played a pivotal role as the local crime scene point of contact. He has shared his expertise and experiences at numerous conferences, symposiums, and seminars on Best Practices in Forensics, Crime Scene Investigation, and Violent Crimes. As a licensed Massachusetts Private Investigator, Dave is passionate about teaching and meeting law enforcement professionals and members of the private sector across the country!
About the course
This practicum course provides firsthand experience in crime scene investigations and is ideal for law enforcement officers and civilian CSIs. It covers crime scene management, evidence processing, and collection techniques. The course is designed to help new investigators learn new skills and for experienced investigators to improve upon their existing skills. Participants will learn new techniques and processes that they can apply in real-world crime scene investigations or when processing evidence in a controlled environment.
Dave, a seasoned veteran investigator, leads the course by defining the role of crime scene management and taking participants through the stages necessary to conduct a proper investigation. He uses a selection of his own memorable cases to demonstrate each process and how it applies to simple and complex cases. The course includes lectures and hands-on practical training, covering topics such as photography, latent processing, footwear and tire evidence, cyanoacrylate fuming, forensic light sources, tape evidence, and biological evidence.
Dave is known for his storytelling skills, making the overall experience both informative and entertaining. The course can be customized to meet the needs of different agencies, ranging from 24 to 40 hours in length, and delivered over three to five days. Participants will receive reference material and handouts on a thumb drive for future reference.