Articles

Bloodstain pattern analysis is a forensic science discipline which reconstructs a blood shedding event and can provide crucial evidence in some legal cases.   Several reports have questioned the validity of bloodstain pattern analysis, including a 2009 National Research Council report and one in 2016 by the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology. These reports called for more objective methods in forensic science and a better understanding of the error rates of current practices.   In response, the…

The Bureau of Justice Statistics has recently released, “State and Local Law Enforcement Training Academies and Recruits, 2022 – Statistical Tables.” The report describes the number and types of law enforcement training academies in the United States in 2022 and it presents findings on the characteristics of recruits and training outcomes. Findings in the report are based primarily on the 2022 Census of Law Enforcement Training Academies (CLETA), the fifth iteration of the data collection. Conducted periodically since 2002, CLETA collects…

In this series, CNA studied the use of emerging technologies by law enforcement agencies. Case studies examine the Chula Vista (California) Police Department’s program of using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), more commonly known as drones; the Fairfax County (Virginia) Department of Public Safety Communications Next Generation 911 equipped communications center; the Las Vegas (Nevada) Metropolitan Police Department’s Fusion Watch center and its cameras and monitoring equipment; the Pinal County (Arizona) Attorney’s Office’s new digital case management software for its adult…

One necessary component of planning and preparation for an active assailant and mass violence incident is giving personnel the necessary skills and equipment to manage their roles and responsibilities effectively – skills in areas such as incident command, leadership and active assailant response. The 12 Tenets of Training checklist is meant to provide leaders and training personnel with key considerations to help select training which has been vetted; has proven to be effective; and is taught by qualified, certified, and…

“The Debrief with Jon Becker,” the acclaimed podcast that takes an in-depth look at incidents, practices, and lessons learned of elite tactical units, announces the launch of its highly anticipated fifth season. Featured episodes this season include critical incident reviews of the Greater Victoria ERT Police Ambush, the Pittsburgh Tree of Life Synagogue shooting, and the Uvalde school shooting, among others.  This season will also include the well-received Decision-Making Exercises (DMEs) that began in Season 4, allowing Debrief listeners and…