> Essentials of Forensic Science Certificate

The Essentials Training is comprised of five courses:

  • Essentials of Firearm/Tool Mark
  • Essentials of Forensic Biology
  • Essentials of Forensic Toxicology
  • Essentials of Drug Chemistry
  • Essentials of Death Investigation
Register for Classes within this Series

A certificate can be obtained for completing all 5 courses; however, individual courses may be taken a la carte.

> Essentials of Firearm/Tool Mark

Module 1: Firearms Case Acceptance Policy

Module 2: Best Practices in Collection of Firearms Evidence

Module 3: Evidence Testing in Firearms

Module 4: Emerging Trends in Firearms

Course Level Learning Objectives:

  • List the types of firearms evidence that are commonly accepted by laboratories and the types of evidence not commonly accepted by laboratories.
  • Describe the process for collecting, packaging, and labeling firearms evidence.
  • Describe the laboratory analysis process for firearms evidence.
  • Identify the trends in the number of firearms cases submitted to firearms analysis labs.

Registration and Course Dates

Registration Opens: June 4, 2024

Registration available through December 1, 2024

Register for Essentials of Firearm/Tool Mark
> Essentials of Forensic Biology

Module 1: Forensic Biology Case Acceptance Policy

Module 2: Best Practices in Collection of Forensic Biology Evidence

Module 3: Evidence Testing in Forensic Biology

Module 4: Emerging Trends in Forensic Biology

Course Level Learning Objectives:

  • List the types of biological evidence that are commonly accepted by laboratories and the types of evidence not commonly accepted by laboratories.
  • Describe the process for collecting, packaging, and labeling biological evidence.
  • Describe the laboratory analysis process for biological evidence.
  • Identify emerging areas of analysis in Forensic Biology.

Registration and Course Dates

Registration Opens: June 4, 2024

Registration available through December 1, 2024

Register for Essentials of Forensic Biology
> Essentials of Forensic Toxicology 

Module 1: Overview of Forensic Toxicology

Module 2: Polydrug Use in Forensic Toxicology

Module 3: Postmortem Oral Fluid Testing in Forensic Toxicology

Module 4: Lethal Injection Cases and Forensic Toxicology Testing

Module 5: Trends in Drugs of Abuse and Driving

Registration and Course Dates

Registration Opens: September 6, 2024

Registration available through December 1, 2024

Register for Essentials of Forensic Toxicology
> Essentials of Drug Chemistry 

Module 1: Drug Chemistry Case Acceptance Policy

Module 2: Best Practices in Collection of Drug Chemistry Evidence

Module 3: Evidence Testing in Drug Chemistry

Module 4: Emerging Trends in Drug Chemistry

Course Level Learning Objectives:

  • List the types of drug chemistry evidence that are commonly accepted by laboratories and the types of evidence not commonly accepted by laboratories.
  • Describe the process for collecting, packaging, and labeling drug evidence.
  • Describe the laboratory analysis process for drug evidence.
  • Identify emerging areas of analysis in Drug Chemistry.

Registration and Course Dates

Registration Opens: Fall 2024

> Essentials of Death Investigation

Module 1: Death Investigation System in Alabama.

Module 2: The Autopsy and Human Identification.

Overview of Medicolegal Death Investigation is an on-demand two-module self-paced course designed to familiarize those taking this course with the nature, reasons, and procedures of the death investigation system in Alabama along with its strengths and limitations. The course is presented by Edward A. Reedy, PhD, MD, State Medical Director with the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences.

Course Level Learning Objectives:

  • Distinguish between roles and responsibilities of a Medical Examiner and Coroner.
  • Distinguish between cause and manner of death.
  • Execute an accurate and complete death certificate.
  • Understand the steps of the autopsy process including differentiation between forensic and hospital autopsy, as well as full, partial, and external autopsy.
  • Describe and contrast methods of human identification.

As more courses become available, information will be added on this page.