Hosting and Attending Courses FAQ

Hosting a Course

As the hosting agency, what are we responsible for providing?

As the hosts, we ask that you provide a comfortable location for the course. This can range from a training center at your agency to a hotel conference room. The most important factor is that the room has audio and visual capabilities for video and PowerPoint. For the brochure, we also ask that you recommend some lodging that is convenient to the course location.
Refreshments are appreciated, but certainly not required.

Note: Majority of our courses involve hands-on, practical exercises. When hosting a course such as the Buried Body and Surface Skeleton, or Shooting/ Crime Scene Reconstruction, it’s a good idea to have a location with outdoor facilities that allow gun-firing exercises, or space to bury skeletons that will later be recovered.

What is the minimum and maximum number of students for a course?

The minimum number of students for a course is 12, which includes the automatic free slot for the hosting agency, and the additional free slot acquired for the agency when 10 paying students are registered. Generally, there is no maximum cap for a course. If needed, we’ll usually go by the maximum capacity of the course location.

Are there any cancellation fees? Or fees if a course does not go through?

There are absolutely no fees if a course has to be canceled or re-scheduled.

How will the course be advertised?

After a course is scheduled with your agency, we’ll create a brochure for the course that your department can send out to nearby departments and other agencies. We at Forensic Pieces will also be posting the course on our website, the IAI and FDIAI websites, and sending out newsletters advertising the course.

Attending a Course

What is the deadline for registering?

We recommend registering for courses as soon as possible as space can be limited, and being on the roster means you will receive any important updates and alerts regarding the course. However, you can register for a course up until one week before its start date.

What if I need an invoice?

If you need an invoice or receipt for tuition to be reimbursed by your department, please contact our office and we would be happy to send one.

What is the tuition?

Typically, tuition for a 5-day course runs at $495 per student, and tuition for a 3-day course runs at $295 per student.

Do these course hours apply to the IAI’s training hours?

Yes! At the end of the course you will receive a certificate of completion that also reflects the training hours that can be applied towards the IAI.

How do I prepare for a course?

With the exception of the CSI Book Review course, there are no required preparations for a course. Some course materials, such as calculators, laptops, digital cameras, etc. are strongly suggested; this information can be found on that course’s specific brochure. Course notebooks, handouts, etc. will be provided for you.

How do I prepare for the CSI Book Review course?

If you are planning on taking a CSI Book Review course, and taking the exam on the final day, it is extremely important to submit your testing application to the IAI as soon as possible as an approved application will be required in order to take the exam. The IAI asks for at least 60-90 days advance in order to process these applications. When submitting your application, it’s very helpful to include a note that specifies which course you are planning to take.
There are also required texts mandated by the IAI for the CCSI and CCSA exams. These texts will be used and discussed throughout the course.

More information on the exam applications and required texts can be found on the IAI website, here: http://www.theiai.org/certifications/crime_scene/index.php

Note: Application fees and IAI mandated texts are not included in the tuition for the CSI Book Review courses.

How do I know if I qualify to take the CSI Exam?

Information on qualifying to test for CCSI or CCSA can be found on the IAI website, here: http://www.theiai.org/certifications/crime_scene/student.php

Do I have to take the exam on the last day of the CSI Book Review course?

You do not have to take the exam on the final day of the course. In fact, many people prefer to take the exam at a later date so that they can take extra time to study on their own. However, it is still encouraged that you attend the course on the final day as the beginning portion of the class is still in lecture and question and answer format to help prepare for the exam.

Hosting a Course

Hosting & Attending
a Course FAQ

Forensic Pieces Calendar

“Great course. The mock scenes were really helpful to learn how to document and accurately describe blood patterns.”

Basic Bloodstain, Greensboro, NC (Guilford County S.O.)
“Jan is an asset to the field of forensics.”

Basic Bloodstain, Greensboro, NC (Guilford County S.O.)
“One of the best instructors I have ever had. Please, for the benefit of crime scene, keep teaching.”

ABC’s of Bloodstain Documentation, Chipley, FL (Washington County S.O.)
“Jan lived up to her reputation as a great instructor! She has a wealth of knowledge to share. I would not hesitate to take another of her classes.”

Buried Body & Surface Skeleton Workshop, Miami, FL (Miami-Dade P.D.)
“Jan is absolutely awesome. She has so much knowledge and experience and she communicates on a level that anyone can understand. Great interaction with students- -oversees but allows and encourages you to think for yourself.

Buried Body & Surface Skeleton Workshop, Miami, FL (Miami-Dade P.D.)
“She is great, extremely helpful, and thorough. The way she explains each topic helps those with less experience, for me that is key.”

Buried Body & Surface Skeleton Workshop, Miami, FL (Miami-Dade P.D.)
“Jan Johnson does an awesome job presenting class material from the perspective of someone who has actually done crime scene work… We need to get more classes like this one”

Crime Scene Reconstruction, Greensboro, NC (Guilford Technical Community College)
“One word- Phenomenal! Looking forward to my next class with Jan.”

Shooting Reconstruction, Miami, FL (Miami-Dade P.D.)
“Very, very, very good. Great class. In fact, probably the most informative class I’ve ever taken. The practical exercises were very beneficial. I learned things I will actually use!”

Shooting Reconstruction, Miami, FL (Miami-Dade P.D.)
“She was a delight. Extremely knowledgeable and very willing to share all her knowledge. She had awesome stories to share with the class and came well prepared to each and every class. Excellent job!”

Shooting Reconstruction, Miami, FL (Miami-Dade P.D.)

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Forensic Pieces

Hosting and Attending Courses FAQ

Hosting a Course

As the hosting agency, what are we responsible for providing?

What is the minimum and maximum number of students for a course?

Are there any cancellation fees? Or fees if a course does not go through?

How will the course be advertised?

Attending a Course

What is the deadline for registering?

What if I need an invoice?

What is the tuition?

Do these course hours apply to the IAI’s training hours?

How do I prepare for a course?

How do I prepare for the CSI Book Review course?

How do I know if I qualify to take the CSI Exam?

Do I have to take the exam on the last day of the CSI Book Review course?

“Great course. The mock scenes were really helpful to learn how to document and accurately describe blood patterns.”

“Jan is an asset to the field of forensics.”

“One of the best instructors I have ever had. Please, for the benefit of crime scene, keep teaching.”

“Jan lived up to her reputation as a great instructor! She has a wealth of knowledge to share. I would not hesitate to take another of her classes.”

“Jan is absolutely awesome. She has so much knowledge and experience and she communicates on a level that anyone can understand. Great interaction with students- -oversees but allows and encourages you to think for yourself.

“She is great, extremely helpful, and thorough. The way she explains each topic helps those with less experience, for me that is key.”

“Jan Johnson does an awesome job presenting class material from the perspective of someone who has actually done crime scene work… We need to get more classes like this one”

“One word- Phenomenal! Looking forward to my next class with Jan.”

“Very, very, very good. Great class. In fact, probably the most informative class I’ve ever taken. The practical exercises were very beneficial. I learned things I will actually use!”

“She was a delight. Extremely knowledgeable and very willing to share all her knowledge. She had awesome stories to share with the class and came well prepared to each and every class. Excellent job!”