Courtroom Testimony Practical Applications
FSA119 – 24.00 Hours
Currently there are no scheduled classes for this course. However, in some cases a course can be scheduled to meet your organization’s specific needs. For more information about this course or to schedule a class, please contact Law Enforcement and Protective Services at (800) 423-8433 or [email protected] to get the latest schedule.
Course Description
Crime scene investigators and peace officers are expected to be expert witnesses. To be perceived as experts, they must establish credibility from the moment they enter the courtroom and proceed to the witness stand to present their testimony. This course provides participants with practical activities to develop and enhance their ability to give effective courtroom testimony. Activities include communication skills evaluations, presenting expert witness credentials, and mock testimony in a simulated courtroom.
This course meets Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) requirements Texas Forensic Science Academy Courtroom Testimony Course #40067.
Prerequisites
Participants enrolling in this course must complete the following course prior to attendance:
Participants must complete this course at least two weeks prior to class start date.
Enrollment Requirements
Participants enrolling in this course must meet one of the following employment statuses:
- Licensed or certified peace officer with a current commission employed by or attached to a law enforcement/investigative agency
- Civilian employed by a law enforcement/investigative agency conducting investigative tasks or duties
- Nurse employed by a medical facility tasked with conducting forensic examinations
Participants will be contacted via email to confirm approval and admittance into the course.
Course Completion Requirements
Participant Must Provide
- A photo identification on the first day of class. See the Participant Handbook for approved forms of identification and additional guidelines.
- Laptop
- Printed and electronic copy of a current CV and/or resume
Note: A phone is not considered a sufficient replacement for a laptop for this class.
Course Attire/PPE
- Courtroom attire as per your agency policy for classroom activities on day 3
Attendance Requirements
Class attendance is an essential part of the education process, and participants in TEEX courses are expected to attend all class sessions and field exercises. The course requires participants to attend a minimum of 100% of the class hours as a component of successful course completion. During the course, your instructor will review any additional attendance requirement, for example a field exercise that cannot be missed.
In some cases, make-up work will not be available (due to equipment/facility needs and/or safety/teamwork components or activity setup/facilitation/requirements).
Participants in a TCOLE credit eligible course must complete the class in its entirety to receive a TEEX Certificate of Completion and be reported for TCOLE credit.
If you have additional questions, please refer to the TEEX Participant Handbook.
Recommended
- Completed Foundations of Courtroom Testimony study guide
Upon successful completion, you will be able to:
- Effective Communication in Court
- Expert Witnesses
- Testifying in Court
Suggested Audience
- Law enforcement and non-commissioned personnel with assignments that may require them to testify in court. Such occupations are crime scene investigators, fire investigators, detectives, medicolegal death investigators, patrol officers, corrections officers and forensic nurses
Continuing Education And Professional Credits
Note: Live Online Instructor-Led (webinar) courses are not eligible for TCOLE credit.
- 24.00 hours – Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE)
- 1.00 hours – American Council on Education (ACE)
- International Association of Identification (IAI)
Other Information
International Association of Identification
You are responsible for contacting International Association of Identification (IAI) after successfully completing the TEEX course to submit the necessary documentation for your desired certification. IAI credit hours are currently available for the following credits:
- Crime Scene Certification (issued 3/14/2024), Initial (24 hrs) or Recertification (24 hrs), and
- Latent Print Certification (issued 3/26/2024), Initial (24 hrs to include 16 hours toward the testimony requirement) or Recertification (24 hrs).
Contact Information
Law Enforcement and Protective Services
Phone: (979) 845-6677 | Toll-Free: (800) 423-8433
Email: [email protected]
Payment Info
- Credit Card – Complete online registration or call (979) 845-6677
- Purchase Order – Complete registration form and send to [email protected] or fax to (877) 289-9715
- Check – Complete registration form and mail to: TEEX – LAW, P.O. Box 40006, College Station, TX 77842