Death Investigation
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- This event meets the criteria for specific mandated training
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This event is currently full and we are not allowing for any more registrations at this time. We do apologize for this, but would like to offer you to be added to our Waiting List. Fill out the following form, then if someone cancels their registration, you will be notified and given the opportunity to become an official registrant.
Date: Friday, May 15, 2026
Registration Deadline: Thursday, May 14, 2026
Class Time(s): 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Registration Deadline: Thursday, May 14, 2026
Class Time(s): 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Instructor Location:
Will County Sheriff's Department
Instructor: Kiersten Reif, D-ABMDI is an experienced instructor and law enforcement professional with over a decade of varied experience in patrol, investigations, and crime scene processing. After earning her bachelor's degree, she started as a patrol officer and major crash investigator for the Highland Park Police Department. She then pursued a career in the medical field while continuing to work as a patrol officer and major crash investigator. As a death investigator certified by the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators at the Lake County Coroner's Office, she conducted death investigations and collaborated with local agencies. Kiersten utilizes her knowledge as a former death investigator and current patrol officer and evidence technician on the Lake County Major Crime Task Force to instruct new and veteran officers in various topics related to death investigation and evidence processing throughout the state at local departments, conferences, webinars, and the Homeland Security Training Institute. She is also a member of her region's Child Death Review Team and the Illinois Division of the International Association for Identification.Will County Sheriff's Department
16911 W. Laraway Rd
Joliet, IL 60433
Driving Directions
Joliet, IL 60433
Member's Fee: $0
Non-Member & Civilian Fee: $0
Course Description: This course was designed to familiarize officers with various aspects of death investigations from scene response through case closure. In Death Investigation, patrol officers and detectives will gain a comprehensive understanding of their roles in death investigations. Instruction includes a focus on collaborating with jurisdictional death investigation agencies, recognizing common causes of death, processing scenes based on various situational factors, and documenting and preserving critical evidence. Review of case studies will encourage critical thinking regarding application of basic investigation techniques and evidence technician skills. Other topics include attendance at autopsies, the process of a coroner’s inquest, report writing, and making notification.
Course topics include:
- Understand the fundamentals of a complete and thorough death investigation from initial arrival at the scene through case closure.
- Learn and retain the basic tasks involved in a death investigation including handling of evidence, collecting relevant case information from various sources, working with decedent families, and collaborating with death investigation agencies.
- Recognize the importance and value of working with their jurisdiction’s death investigation agency including post-scene follow up and obtaining autopsy and toxicological evidence.
- Know the various and unique steps involved in a death investigation based on initial observations and suspected manner of death.
- Obtain the skills necessary for performing an on-scene body examination to ensure an accurate cause and manner of death are established.
- Learn the best practices of working with next of kin including making notification, providing resources, and following up after initial contact.
This training covers the following mandates:
- Constitutional / Proper Use of LE Authority - 0.50 hours
- Human Rights - 0.50 hours
- Legal Updates - 0.50 hours
- Procedural Justice - 5.50 (1.0 Hour Scenario-Based) hours
- Lead Homicide Investigator - 8.00 hours
