About This Program

The Registered InvestigatorSM program, RISM, instructs, measures, and assesses knowledge and competency of investigators in both the public and private sectors. Providing a foundation of forensics basics, this course provides a measure of standardization in the field of investigation. With the National Academy of Sciences’ report on the Forensic Sciences, we now realize that certification for investigators is crucial to fill the gaps in the field. This course will cover the following topics:Case File

Course Foundation

This course based on the article series "Principles and Approaches to Criminal Investigation," by Dr. Gregory M. Vecchi, PhD, CFC, CHS-V, DABLEE, DABCIP as published in The Forensic Examiner®.

Learning Objectives

  1. Define and give examples of different types of investigations.
  2. List the different types of sources used in an investigation.
  3. Describe how to use physical evidence.
  4. Identify how to process a crime scene.
  5. Explain the differences between interrogations and interviews.
  6. Explain how a polygraph test works.
  7. Define how notes, photographs, and sketches are used during investigations.
  8. Identify why people may become violent.
  9. List the four forms of abuse.
  10. Use proper investigation terminology and definitions relating to investigation.