Leicestershire police is offering an e-learning course on forensics
via its intranet, writes Karl Cushing
Leicestershire Constabulary has implemented a bespoke e-learning
programme for scene-of-crime procedures to raise awareness of the
importance of DNA and forensic evidence and to help new police
officers follow basic procedures correctly.
The course is available via the constabulary's intranet, which is
accessible via any of the terminals in police buildings on a 24x7
basis. Stuart Brown, Leicestershire Constabulary's chief DNA and
forensic training officer, says a key consideration in developing
the system was that it should reflect officers' shift patterns.
Being able to access the programme via the intranet also means that
officers about to attend a crime scene can quickly check up on the
kind of evidence they should be looking for.
The programme, which went live in September, is based on
simulations of real-life crime scenes. It has three core modules,
which deal with the gathering of forensic evidence from the scene
of a burglary, from a stolen car, and from a prisoner in custody.
It covers a number of key topics, including advice on how and when
to liaise with scenes of crime officers, how to identify areas of
forensic importance, and how to preserve as much forensic evidence
as possible.
The constabulary's call handling staff will also take the course to
help them field questions from the general public and provide
advice to callers on protecting evidence, such as covering
bloodstains to keep them dry. "We are looking for a stop-gap
measure until the support staff can reach the scene," Brown
explains.
The course provides feedback after each module and presents
additional information in the form of fact files. At the end of
each simulation exercise is a three-question test to determine the
learner's level of understanding before they move on to the next
module.
Brown says the whole course takes about 30-35 minutes, although he
hopes officers will continue to use the course as a revision tool
and a visual aid. "Our aim is to make useful and practical
information available to our officers with minimum abstraction from
their duties," he says.
The programme, which was developed by training provider
KnowledgePool and has been funded by the Home Office, grew out of
an original idea for an online training tool that Brown and a
colleague had been working on.
Brown says the reaction of officers using the product so far has
been very positive. "Many officers have found it an excellent
product and we are very positive about it," says Brown, although he
insists that e-learning will complement, not replace, the police
force's classroom-based learning programme.
Leicestershire Constabulary now hopes that other police forces will
be interested in the product.