Bob Lucas, Crime Scene technician for the Sheriff’s Department recently attended a seminar for Death, Homicide, and Criminal Investigation in Indianapolis. Dr. Tracey S. Corey of the Kentucky Medical Examiner’s Office, and now a Professor with the University of Louisville, taught the 17 hour two-day class.

Areas of instruction included cause, mechanism, and manner of death. Other areas were sudden natural death, drug related, and drownings. Other areas were pattern of injuries, blunt force, and explosions. Case studies were done on fire fatalities, gunshot wounds and how to determine self-inflicted, close contact versus close range injury.

Also discussed were types of suicides, sexually motivated homicides and trace evidence collection.

At the conclusion of the 17 hours of instruction, mass fatality and pediatric fatality investigations were covered.

To stay certified as a crime scene investigator in Indiana, one must attend at least 24 hours of instruction in the area of crime scene investigation in a three year period, which covers a wide area of topics. Sheriff Mike Carothers has allowed on an average of 24 hours per year for the training.

Lucas is currently the only certified tech for the Sheriff’s Department. Seymour Police Department has two certified technicians. Seymour Police and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department often work closely together when additional help is needed.