CENTRAL ILLINOIS POLICE TRAINING CENTER

Brian Fengel, Director

Phone: (309) 690-7355
Fax: (309) 690-7359
Heather Grove: hgrove@icc.edu

Diane Schrementi: ds018b@icc.edu

Robert Pyszka: rp717@icc.edu

Death Investigation

Instructor: Kiersten Reif

March 31, 2026

 9am – 5pm

 Class will meet at: Peru PD, 2650 N. Peoria Street, Peru, IL

Enrollment Deadline:  March 24, 2026

Course Size:  Minimum –15 Maximum – 20

Course Objective

This 8-hour training course was designed to familiarize officers with various aspects of death investigations from scene response through case closure.

 Course Content

In Death Investigations, patrol officers and detectives will gain a comprehensive understanding of their roles in death investigations. Instruction includes a focus on collaborating with jurisdictional death investigation agencies, recognizing common causes of death, processing scenes based on various situational factors, and documenting and preserving critical evidence. Review of case studies will encourage critical thinking regarding application of basic investigation techniques and evidence technician skills. Other topics include attendance at autopsies, the process of a coroner’s inquest, report writing, and making notification.

COURSE GOALS: This course aims to accomplish the following student objectives:

1. Understand the fundamentals of a complete and thorough death investigation from initial arrival at the scene through case closure.
2. Learn and retain the basic tasks involved in a death investigation including handling of evidence, collecting relevant case information from various sources, working with decedent families, and collaborating with death investigation agencies.
3. Recognize the importance and value of working with their jurisdiction’s death investigation agency including post-scene follow up and obtaining autopsy and toxicological evidence.
4. Know the various and unique steps involved in a death investigation based on initial observations and suspected manner of death.
5. Obtain the skills necessary for performing an on-scene body examination to ensure an accurate cause and manner of death are established.
6. Learn the best practices of working with next of kin including making notification, providing resources, and following up after initial contact.

Mobile In-Service Training Team#7 Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board

MTU 7 request for certification of this course has been approved by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board

Meets the following mandatory training criteria: Const. Use of LE Authority .50 hours; Human Rights .50 hours; Leal Update .50h ours; Procedural Justice 2.50 hours and Specialized Training: Lead Homicide Investigator 8 hours