Course Length: 1 day (8 hours)

Coordinators: Katherine Argueta (727-692-4811)

Gang members and other violent felons are using firearms to commit crimes at an increasingly alarming rate. Unfortunately proving an offender actually possessed the firearm is getting more difficult for prosecutors to accomplish in constructive possession cases. Patrol officers and detectives through their actions on the scene and following the recovery of the firearm can greatly hurt or help the successful prosecution of the case. Using proper techniques during the recovery of the firearm as well as conducting proper interviews and follow up is critical to the successful prosecution of any firearms case.

The goal of this course is to familiarize new and seasoned patrol officers, detectives, law enforcement supervisors and prosecutors with techniques to assist in making prosecutable firearms cases. This is accomplished through learning to properly document your traffic stop, using in car video and bodycam equipment effectively, properly documenting your case through photos, report writing, conducting recorded interviews, proper evidence handling, reviewing jail calls and working with prosecutors towards successful prosecution. Additionally, the attendees will learn to make firearms cases through the use of social media by writing social media search warrants and other means. The class will also discuss the importance of using firearms traces (Etrace), NIBIN, establishing a firearms protocol within your agency and other methods to advance your cases.

Course Objectives

  • Understand what recovered firearms can tell investigators.
  • Have a better awareness of Firearm Laws: State and Federal.
  • Identify the tools available to Law Enforcement in firearm investigations.
  • How to use social media in firearms investigations – Proactive and Reactive.
  • Write a social media search warrant.
  • Know the importance of establishing a Firearms Protocol for your agency.
  • Identify the limitations DNA provides in firearms investigation.
  • Understand the importance of working with prosecutors in building a case.
  • Identify strategies to avoid motion to suppress hearings.
  • Properly identify and recover evidence.
  • Photograph the scene for use in trial.

Overview of topics

  • Contributing factors in making a weak firearms case
  • Avoiding motion to suppress hearings
  • Documenting the scene
  • Importance of in car video and body cams in firearms cases
  • Gun recovery checklist
  • State firearms statutes
  • Using federal prosecution on select firearms cases
  • Bringing charges in old cases
  • Working with other agencies to make firearms cases
  • Using DNA in firearms cases
  • Understanding the importance of cross contamination and proper evidence handling
  • Importance of jail calls
  • Social media search warrants
  • Thinking outside the box to locate firearms
  • Report writing for firearms cases
  • Understanding the need for follow up and the steps to follow in firearms cases
  • Using Etrace and NIBIN to further your investigation
  • Case examples

To register for a class, click the “Register” button or call the contact listed with that class below: