Reviews

brady frederick

“Great course!! Darren and the rest of the staff were awesome, kind, and professional. I would recommend this course for those that want to begin a career in death investigation.”

“Great course!! Darren and the rest of the staff were awesome, kind, and professional. I would recommend this course for those that want to begin a career in death investigation.”

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Sandra Escalante

“I have graduated from the Forensic Science Academy. We had a Death Investigation module. In a traditional classroom, people talk, lecture is interrupted for questions and general disturbances. I was able to wear my headphones and focus on the vid...”

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“I have graduated from the Forensic Science Academy. We had a Death Investigation module. In a traditional classroom, people talk, lecture is interrupted for questions and general disturbances. I was able to wear my headphones and focus on the videos and take detailed notes. This was not only informative in regard to procedures, it also provides real world experience and tips that most people would learn on the job. By providing this in the training, a rookie entering into this field can be aware of potential mistakes and pitfalls and take precautions. Human factor varies. Everyone will react to a scene differently. Knowing what to expect from experts is valuable. ”

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MELISSA MANN

“If you are looking to get into forensics or are thinking of a career change you have definitely found the right program. Thanks to Darren, Tammy and their team I passed my final and have recently just passed the National ABMDI exam. I could have n...”

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“If you are looking to get into forensics or are thinking of a career change you have definitely found the right program. Thanks to Darren, Tammy and their team I passed my final and have recently just passed the National ABMDI exam. I could have never done it without this program. Thank you!”

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Testimonials

“Awesome! One of the most informative courses on death investigation I have been to.”

Missouri Coroner

Don Barrett

“Informative and well structured. Meeting a national need for standardized training.”

Forensic Science Academy

Terri Armenta

“Incredibly informative and interesting. I would highly recommend this training to anyone in the criminal justice field.”

Forensic Anthropologist

Dr. Mercedes Fabian

We provide the highest quality training using the most modern methods and technology.

Medicolegal Death Investigator Course

Medicolegal Death Investigation Online Academy is a Nationally Approved online training designed to teach all aspects of death investigation and scene management. Unlike any other training today, this course offers a blended learning style combining online self-paced video training, along with opportunities of live interaction with instructors several times throughout the program.
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Pricing options

Price includes all manuals, eTexts, and downloadable reference material.

More Information

The MLDI Online Academy is offered several times per year. Students will enroll in advance and all start at the same time.

  • TOPICS COVERED

    Scene Management
    Scene Investigation
    Evidence Collection
    Scene Documentation
    Basic Anatomy
    Collecting Fluids
    Specific Death Types
    Personal Development
    Death in Differing Cultures
    and much, much, more.

  • SCHOOL DESIGN

    Video Training
    Additional Reading
    Downloadable Material
    Topic and Section Testing
    Instructor Interactions
    Certificate of Completion
    Long Term Access
    Certification Exam

  • WHY THIS SCHOOL

    Nationally Approved
    40+ hours of Training
    ABMDI Education Credits
    Investigation Specific
    Hybrid Content LE/C
    Downloadable Material
    Access to Instructors
    Taught by working professionals
    Open to non-working students

FAQ

  • I’m not currently in this field, can I still take the course?

    Yes. This course is open to students who are wanting to enter the field of death investigation as well as working professionals. It is our goal to help you prepare for the job you are wanting by providing nationally accepted training.

  • How long do I have access to the course?

    You will have access to the course material for six months. This, however, does not take into account natural disasters or a major interruption in business.

  • What courses are the instructors live and interactive in?

    This course is designed in such a way that one or more instructors will be live on opening day and two or more times throughout the following six weeks. These are not tied to any particular course or set of courses, but rather at regular intervals during the first six weeks.

  • Do we get a certificate at the end?

    Certified Medicolegal Death Investigator course is an all-inclusive course. So, each student will receive a certificate at the end of all course work.

  • How do I become certified after taking the course?

    After you have completed the course you will be given an option to take the certification examination. This is an optional online exam given by a third-party testing company and taken at a proctor exam location such as a college or library.

  • What if I want to talk to someone before I register?

    If you have other questions, please email us or call our academy directly at 1-888-556-0177.

  • What is the refund/exchange policy?

    Online courses are non-refundable. Once the course is purchased/accessed, no refund will be granted after 15 days of purchase or course open date, or if more than 20% of the course has been accessed. All online training courses are tested extensively on all types of systems, browsers, and devices. We can assist you to get started with the course if you are having any trouble. Exchange Allowed: Participants will be allowed to exchange with another course of equivalent or lesser value if course is not accessed within 15 days of purchase. The exchange request must be received by email at studentsupport@ditacademyonline.org . No exchange will be granted if the request is more than 15 days after the purchase date. Multiple payments for the same course: In case the participant made extra payment (same course bought multiple times) for the same course, a refund will be issued upon request. There will be a 3.7% transaction cost charged by credit card processor per transaction.

Pricing options

Price includes all manuals, eTexts, and downloadable reference material.

Course curriculum

  • 01

    Overview of the Medicolegal Death Investigator Course

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    • Student Demographics

    • Welcome - Course Design and Layout

    • Getting started the right way.

    • Content Integrity and Copyright Notice

    • Content and Copyright Notice Acknowledgment

  • 02

    Section 1: Medicolegal Death Investigations

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    • Section Introduction

    • Medicolegal Death Investigation and Authority (7minutes)

    • Quiz: Medicolegal Death Investigation and Authority

    • Interacting with other agencies (10 minutes)

    • Interacting with families (8 minutes)

    • Quiz:Professional Interactions

    • Establishing Decedent Identity (19 minutes)

    • Proper Death Notification Procedures Part 1 (19 minutes)

    • Proper Death Notification Procedures Part 2 (15 minutes)

    • Death Notification - We regret to inform you (5 minutes)

    • Quiz: Decedent Identity and Notification

    • Death notification: Breaking the bad news

    • Bonus eBook - Interview and Interrogation- getting information you want

    • NIJ Publication - Death Investigation Procedures

    • NIJ Publication - Mass Fatality Incidents

  • 03

    Section 2: Scene Management and Documentation

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    • Section Introduction- Scene Management and Documentation

    • 10 Most Common Mistakes Made and Death Scenes

    • Scene Arrival and Security (22 minutes)

    • Intial Scene Walk Through (9 minutes)

    • The Investigative Triangle (6 minutes)

    • Quiz: Scene Arrival and Management

    • Documenting the Scene - Photographs, Sketching, and Notes (26 minutes)

    • Crime Scene Sketching Methods and Use

    • Crime Scene Sketching Methods and Use (Downloadable)

    • Quiz: Documenting the Scene

    • Introduction to Blood Spatter (10 minutes)

    • Identifying Evidence and Chain of Custody (26 minutes)

    • Quiz: Evidence and Chain of Custody

    • Scene Sketch Assignment Explanation

    • Create a Scene Sketch

  • 04

    Section 3: Determining Time of Death

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    • Determining Time of Death Part 1 (33 minutes)

    • Determining Time of Death Part 2 (25 minutes)

    • Stages of post mortem changes

    • Forensic Entomology

    • Body Temperature - Algor Mortis

    • Eyeball Changes

    • Quiz: Determining Time of Death

  • 05

    Section 4: Defining Cause, Manner, and Mechanism of Death

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    • Cause and Manner Section Intro

    • Defining Cause, Manner, and Mechanism of Death (5 minutes)

    • Implications in Cause and Manner Rulings ( 15 minutes)

    • Implications in Time of Death Rulings (10 minutes)

    • Canton Ohio Firefighter Suicide - Implication Example

    • Daniel Kerrigan - Homicide Ruling Implications

    • Quiz: Defining Cause, Manner, and Mechanism of Death
  • 06

    Section 5: External Body Exam and Documentation

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    • Section introduction

    • External Body Exam and Documentation Part 1 (14 minutes)

    • External Body Exam and Documentation Part 2 (13 minutes)

    • External Body Exam Demonstration of an Adult (8 minutes)

    • External Body Exam Demonstration of an infant (10 minutes)

    • Collecting Hair and Fiber Evidence (4 minutes)

    • Thermal Injuries

    • Post Mortem Changes Time Line

    • Surgical Artifacts

    • Resuscitative Artifacts

    • Forensic Body Exam Charts

    • Rule of 9's Burn Documentation

    • Obtaining and Documenting Post-Mortem Body Temperature (7 minutes)

    • Quiz: External Body and Documentation

    • Introduction to Toxicology Fluid Draws

    • Fluid Draw Demonstrations (11 minutes)

    • Quiz: Drawing Fluids for Toxicology

  • 07

    Section 6: Forensic and Scientific Knowledge

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    • Introduction to Forensic and Scientific Knowledge Section

    • Understanding Basic Anatomy and Physiology (11 Minutes)

    • Basic Anatomy Charts and Diagrams

    • Bonus eBook - ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF HUMAN BODY

    • Medical Terminology

    • Glossary of Commonly Used Terms

    • Quiz: Human Anatomy and Physiology

    • Introduction to Understanding the Sciences Used in Death Investigation.

    • Understanding the Sciences Used in Death Investigation Part 1 (15 minutes)

    • Understanding the Sciences Used in Death Investigation Part 2 (15 minutes)

    • Anthropology (11 minutes)

    • Forensic Entomology (7 minutes)

    • Forensic Botany (1 minute)

    • Forensic Odontology (5 minutes)

    • Quiz: Sciences Used in Death Investigation
  • 08

    Section 7: Forensic Overview of Cutting and Stabbing Injuries

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    • Cutting and Stabbing Introduction

    • Forensic Overview of Cutting and Stabbing Injury Part 1 (16 minutes)

    • Forensic Overview of Cutting and Stabbing Injury Part 2 (15 minutes)

    • Forensic Overview of Cutting and Stabbing Injury Part 3 (20 minutes)

    • Forensic Overview of Cutting and Stabbing Injury Part 4 (20 minutes)

    • Forensic Overview of Cutting and Stabbing Injury Part 5 (15 minutes)

    • Quiz: Forensic Overview of Cutting and Stabbing Injury

    • Blunt and Sharp Force Injury Classifications

    • NIJ Report - Characterization of Weapons Used in Stabbing/Slashing Attacks

  • 09

    Section 8: Forensic Overview of Gun Shot Wounds

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    • Introduction of Gun Shot Injury Investigation

    • Gun Shot Injury - Scene Investigation (20 minutes)

    • Range of Fire and Trajectory (20 minutes)

    • Gun Shot Wound Interpretation (20 minutes)

    • Documenting Injury and Summary (20 minutes)

    • Gun Shot Injury

    • Gun Diagrams
  • 10

    Checking in - Half Way Point

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    • Checking in - Half way Point

  • 11

    Section 9: Investigating Suicide and Self-Harm Death

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    • Section Intro

    • Investigating Suicide Defining Suicide and Initial Response ( 20 minutes)

    • Investigating Suicide - Scene Assessment and Equivocal Deaths (19 minutes)

    • Quiz Investigating Suicide Part 1

    • Investigating Suicide - Gun Shot Injuries (17 minutes)

    • Investigating Suicide - Overdose and Helium

    • Quiz Investigating Suicide Part 2

    • Investigating Suicide - Case Review

  • 12

    Section 10: Autoerotic Fatalities - Interpreting and Scene

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    • Section Intro Autoerotic Fatalities - Interpreting and Scene

    • Autoerotic Fatalities - Interpreting and Scene Part 1 (28 minutes)

    • Autoerotic Fatalities - Interpreting and Scene Part 2 (20 minutes)

    • Autoerotic Fatalities - Interpreting and Scene Part 3 (25 minutes)

    • Autoerotic Fatalities - Interpreting and Scene Part 4 (18 minutes)

    • Autoerotic Fatalities - Interpreting and Scene Part 5 (26 minutes)

    • Quiz: Autoerotic Fatalities - Interpreting and Scene

    • Case Review 1

    • Case Review 2

    • Bonus eBook * Autoerotic Fatalities - Interpreting and Scene

    • Autoerotic Fatalities: Interview Questions to Consider

    • Downloadable -Autoerotic Fatalities: Interview Questions to Consider
  • 13

    Section 11: Asphyxial Death and Classification

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    • Section Introduction

    • Defining Asphyxial Death an Classification (2 minutes)

    • Mechanical Asphyxiation - Hanging (15 minutes)

    • Ligature and Manual Strangulation (9 minutes)

    • Smothering, Gagging, Choking, and Drowning (6 minutes)

    • Inert Gas Asphyxiation (7 minutes)

    • Environmental Asphyxiation (11 minutes)

    • Pathological Asphyxiation (7 minutes)

    • Quiz: Asphyxial Death

  • 14

    Section 12: Infant and Child Death

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    • Section Intro Infant and Child Death

    • Why infant death training is important (20 minutes)

    • When a child dies (24 minutes)

    • Arrival on scene (23 minutes)

    • Quiz: Infant death investigation

    • Development Milestones and Aging Marks and Bruising (19 minutes)

    • Quiz: Development Milestones and Aging Marks and Bruising

    • External Body Exam and Documenting Injuries (29 minutes)

    • Abusive Head Trauma

    • eBook: Overcoming Defense Expert Testimony in Abusive Head Trauma Cases

    • Quiz: External Body Exam and Documenting Injuries

    • Getting Information from Witnesses and Completing the SUIDI Form (29 minutes)

    • Doll Re-enactments (14 minutes)

    • Placed/Found Placards (downloadable)

    • Quiz: Documenting Scene and Witness Statements

    • Identifying and Collecting Evidence (20 minutes)

    • Quiz: Identifying and Collecting Evidence

    • Differing Causes of Death (21 minutes)

    • Quiz: Differing Causes of Death

    • SUIDI Scene Form

    • SUIDI Additional Scene Forms

  • 15

    Section 13: Principles of Report Writing

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    • Section Intro Principles of Report Writing

    • Principles of Investigative Report Writing Part 1 (14 minutes)

    • Principles of Investigative Report Writing Part 2 (13 minutes)

    • Report Writing in Death Cases

    • How to write organized and concise reports

    • Quiz: Principles of Investigative Report Writing

    • Scene Narrative Assignment Explanation

    • Scene Investigation Narrative

  • 16

    Section 14: Court Room Preparation and Testimony

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    • Section Intro. Court Room Preparation and Testimony

    • Court Room Preparation and Testimony Part 1 (12 minutes)

    • Court Room Preparation and Testimony Part 2 (10 minutes)

    • NJCLES Effective Courtroom Testimony (9minutes)

    • Credibility – How credible do you appear

    • Quiz: Court Room Preparation and Testimony
  • 17

    Section 15: Professionalism and Ethics

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    • Professionalism and Ethics Section Introduction

    • Professional and Ethical Conduct (22 minutes)

    • Attributes of a Successful Investigator (17 minutes)

    • Ethics in Investigation and Law Enforcement

    • Quiz: Professionalism and Ethics
  • 18

    Section 16: Cultural Diversity and Death Investigation

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    • Section Intro Cultural Diversity and Death Investigation

    • Cultural Diversity and Death Investigation Video 1 (21 minutes)

    • Cultural Diversity and Death Investigation Video 2 ( 22 minutes)

    • Quiz: Cultural Diversity and Death Investigation

    • Cultural Diversity and Death Investigation Video 3 (32 minutes)

    • Quiz: Cultural Diversity and Death Investigation

    • Cultural Diversity Guide Book
  • 19

    Section 17: Managing Conflict in the Workplace

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    • Section Introduction

    • Basic Principles of Conflict (11 minutes)

    • Five Primary Causes of Conflict (19 minutes)

    • Knowing When Conflict is Out of Line (14 minutes)

    • Quiz: Principles and Causes of Conflict

    • How Conflict is Resolved ( 14 minutes)

    • Qualities of a Peacemaker (20 minutes)

    • Quiz: Resolving Conflict

  • 20

    Section 18: Job Related Stress - Secondary Traumatic Stress

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    • Section Intro

    • Job Related Stress Part 1-4 (30 minutes)

    • Job Related Stress Part 2-4 (30 minutes)

    • Job Related Stress Part 3-4 (25 minutes)

    • Job Related Stress Part 4-4 (25 minutes)

    • Quiz: Job Related Stress

    • Breaking the Grip of Compassion Fatigue
  • 21

    Section 19: Final Summary and What's Next

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    • Congratulations, What's next?

    • Final Examination

    • Final Exam Verification

  • 22

    Certification Exam Application Process

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    • Certification Exam Application Process

    • Exam Application Process

    • Law Enforcement CLEE Request