Investigations & Forensics Pathway
Prepare students to investigate, analyze, document, and interpret evidence through hands-on learning in criminal investigation, crime scene processing, and forensic science.
This pathway is for Law and Public Safety Pathways and Academic Science Departments
Pathway at a Glance
Recommended Grades: 9–12
Program Length: 3–4 courses
Credential Opportunities: National Basic Crime Scene Investigator + Micro-Credentials
Student Organization: SkillsUSA
Work-Based Learning: Law enforcement agencies, crime labs, medical examiner/coroner offices, courts, forensic laboratories, and related public safety agencies
Course 1 Introduction
- Introduction to Law and Public Safety (ILPS)
Course 2 Core Choice
- Foundations of Criminal Investigations (FCI) – CTE-focused or
- Foundations of Forensic Science (FFS) – Science/STEM focused as well as CTE applicability
Course 3+ Extension Options
- Criminal & Constitutional Law (CCL)
- Drones for Law & Public Safety (DLPS)
- Foundations of Criminal Investigations (FCI) if not taken Year 2
- Foundations of Forensic Science (FFS) if not taken Year 2
- Foundations of Detention and Corrections (FDC)
- Foundations of Emergency Management & Homeland Security (FEMHS)
- Foundations of Law Enforcement (FLE)
- Foundations of Security & Protective Services (FSPS)
Why This Pathway Is Designed This Way
The LAPSEN Investigations & Forensics Pathway was developed with input from forensic professionals, investigators, educators, and industry partners. The pathway begins with a broad foundation in law and public safety, then allows schools to select a core course that best fits their program and students.
Foundations of Forensic Science provides a science-focused approach appropriate for CTE or academic science programs and may support science credit where permitted by state or local requirements. Foundations of Criminal Investigations focuses more directly on investigative procedures, evidence, and the fundamentals of criminal investigation. Some programs may choose to offer both.
Rather than moving students into highly specialized forensic or investigative training, the pathway emphasizes strong fundamentals followed by broader exposure and extension opportunities. This gives students a well-rounded foundation while allowing them to explore areas of interest before pursuing specialized training, college, or a career.
Introduction Course
Industry and advisory committees helped craft our approach to pathways. LAPSEN recommends a common introduction course across all law and public safety pathways. Our course model begins with Introduction to Law & Public Safety, which provides a broad foundation across the public safety pathways and helps students discover where their interests lie
Introduction to Law & Public Safety (ILPS)
Recommended introductory course
Introduction to Law & Public Safety gives students an exciting, hands-on introduction to the full range of public safety careers rather than focusing on a single profession. Students learn how law enforcement, fire, EMS, emergency communications, emergency management, security, corrections, and other disciplines work together while building practical skills through simulations, scenarios, and team-based activities. The course can incorporate CERT, Stop the Bleed, 9-1-1 communications, CPR/AED, FEMA training, and other credential opportunities, giving students meaningful accomplishments while they explore future pathways. Most importantly, students experience how modern public safety actually works and can make a more informed decision about which pathway they want to pursue next.
Standards & Course Guide | LAPSEN Lesson Plans | Course Resources
Core Courses
The core course serves as the anchor of each pathway, providing students with the essential knowledge and skills of that profession. It goes beyond career exploration to cover the key concepts, practices, and hands-on competencies students need at an appropriate depth to build a strong foundation for advanced coursework and career preparation.
Foundations of Criminal Investigations (FCI)
Recommended CTE course
Students learn the fundamentals of crime scene investigation, with an emphasis on the responsibilities of the first responding officer. Through hands-on activities, students develop skills in securing and documenting scenes, photography, sketching, evidence collection and packaging, chain of custody, and report writing. The course also introduces investigative procedures, search and seizure requirements, and how physical evidence supports criminal investigations.
Standards & Course Guide | LAPSEN Lesson Plans | Course Resources
Foundations of Forensic Science (FFS)
Recommended Science/STEM or higher level CTE course
Introduction to Forensic Science is a hands-on CTE laboratory course that introduces students to the scientific principles, investigative techniques, and careers associated with forensic science and criminal justice. Through laboratory investigations, crime scene simulations, and real-world cases, students apply biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics to analyze fingerprints, DNA, trace evidence, bloodstain patterns, toxicology, firearms, and other physical evidence. Emphasizing forensic science as a science-based discipline, the course develops laboratory skills, critical thinking, teamwork, ethical decision-making, and career-ready competencies for future STEM, forensic science, law enforcement, and criminal justice pathways.
Standards & Course Guide | LAPSEN Lesson Plans | Course Resources
Extention Courses
Extension courses build beyond the core by allowing students to develop deeper expertise within their pathway or gain complementary skills from related public safety fields. Guided by industry needs, these courses provide a broader, more complete education and help students understand how different public safety professions work together. This flexibility allows schools to design advanced coursework that best supports student interests, local workforce needs, and career goals.
Criminal & Constitutional Law (CCL) – learn more
Drones for Law & Public Safety (DLPS) – learn more
Foundations of Criminal Investigations (FCI) if not taken as core
Foundations of Forensic Science (FFS) if not taken as core
Foundations of Detention and Corrections (FDC) – learn more
Foundations of Emergency Management & Homeland Security (FEMHS) – learn more
Foundations of Law Enforcement (FLE) – learn more
Foundations of Security & Protective Services (FSPS) – learn more
Credentials & Certifications
Credentials matter because they give students a meaningful way to demonstrate their knowledge and skills beyond the classroom. LAPSEN works closely with industry partners, professional organizations, subject-matter experts, and educators to identify and support respected certifications and credentials that align with each pathway. Whether offered by LAPSEN or one of our partner organizations, we take credential quality and industry relevance seriously so students earn recognition that supports their next step in education or a career.
Explore our Credentials & Certifications page to learn more about industry-recognized credentials, certification opportunities, and LAPSEN’s credentialing partners.
Tier 1
These credentials require limited training — usually less than 5 hours — and focus on a specific set of skills. While valuable for building a foundation, these skills alone are not enough to secure employment. These are the lowest tier of credentials. Review the full microcredentials list.
Basic I&F Set
Personal Protective Equipment
Securing and Searching
Photographing a Crime Scene
Diagraming a Crime Scene
Basic Evidence Collection
Sharps/Edged Evidence Collection
Fingerprint Set
Basic Latent Print Lift
ALS Print Development
Chemical Print Development
Fuming Print Development
Fingerprint Photography
Inking Fingerprinting
Minutiae Identification
Fingerprint Classification
Advanced Evidence Set
Casting and Exemplars
Toolmark Evidence
Serological Evidence Collection
Glass Evidence
Trace Evidence
Bloodstain Patterns Analysis
Tier 2
Requiring 5 to 40 hours of training, these credentials combine multiple skills and demonstrate a student’s commitment to an area of learning. While they do not directly guarantee a job, they represent a significant step toward workforce readiness. Review more about Certifications.
- OSHA 10-Hour General Industry: Public Safety: Law Enforcement, Corrections, Security from CareerSafe
- FEMA Independent Study Program
- An Introduction to Hazardous Materials IS-15.a
Tier 3
The highest level, these credentials reflect mastery in a specialized area, based on extensive training. They may be knowledge-based, skill-based, or a combination of both, and are often endorsed by national industry professional organizations. These credentials carry strong recognition with employers. Learn more about IRCs.
- National Basic Crime Scene Investigator Certification
- IAI Professional Certifications
National Basic Crime Scene Investigator
LAPSEN has been working together with subject matter experts from around the country to create a certification that is relevant and valuable to your students and the industry. This entry level certification will prepare students for a career out of high school or tech college as a crime scene technician. The skills learned are applicable to many careers in the law and public safety realm.
This credential aligns with the LAPSEN Investigations and Forensics course standards and supporting lesson plans, curricula and resources.
The BCSI satiates all Perkins legislative requirements for Industry Recognized Credentials. Learn more about the certification – Click Here
Resources
Training
Instructors in the LS pathway need to have industry experience or training. If you have a specific training need email info@lapsen.org
Click Here to go to our Training Schedule
Xplorlabs
Xplorlabs is its free, STEM-focused educational program designed to inspire students through problem-based, real-world investigations in safety and sustainability. They have several forensic related lessons and resources.
Click Here to access these.
Be the Best
IADLEST – the national organization of state police certification agencies – together with LAPSEN have established a certification to identify the best in America working with youth interested in LPS careers.
Click Here to learn more.
Student Recognition
Your students can be members of the National Technical Honors Society PLUS a special endorsement for achievement in law and public safety! Don’t have an NTHS – they are super easy to start and no extra work.
Click Here to learn more.
Career Posters
LAPSEN designed several career posters for instructors to download and print for their classrooms.
Click Here to go to download folder
Equipment Lists
Georgia’s state equipment list. Use tabs on bottom of sheets – Click Here
Hawai’i’s state equipment list. Click Here
Programs of Excellence
The national Industry Credentialed Program of Excellence (ICPE) is designed to make the best better. Applicant programs must demonstrate competencies across several standards. LAPSEN specialists assist applicant programs throughout the process with training, guides and mentorship.
Click Here to learn more. Do YOU have the BEST program?
National Program Directory
The National Census of Youth Law Enforcement Programs was funded by the DOJ COPS grant program.
Search the directory for programs near you – Click Here
Is your program is in the directory? If not: Click Here
Great Links
National Forensic Science Teachers – Facebook page with shared Google Drive. Mostly science teachers, but amazing resources: Click Here
Forensic Science Teachers – Facebook page with a ton more resources: Click Here
A Simplified Guide to Forensic Science – BJA and the National Forensic Science Tech Center put together an AMAZING site: Click Here
Crime Scene Investigation Guide – FREE guide designed by BJA and NFSTC. Downloadable. Could be used as a textbook. Great resource for students, too: Click Here
FBI’s The Handbook of Forensic Services – online, the official guide! Click Here
Introduction to Criminal Investigation from Open Textbook Library – Totally FREE! Has crime scene and forensics. Take a look at chapters: Click Here
Brennon Sapp’s ENTIRE COURSE – Brennon has put his entire forensics course online. For Free (my favorite price). It is for science courses, but much can be used in CTE: Click Here
Under the Magnifying Glass – from O.Berk packaging this is a great list of awesome education links. Click Here
Competitions
The I&F pathway national CTSO is SkillsUSA. There are several ways for students to participate in SkillsUSA
For more information visit www.skillsusa.org/competitions or reach out to info@lapsen.org
Criminal Justice
This competition is a single competitor preparing to be officers or to work in other areas of criminal justice.
CSI Team
This competition for a team of 3 is designed to evaluate team members’ skills in processing a crime scene.
Career Pathways - Human Services
Student teams use their course of study as the basis of a project that will benefit their class, school, community or industry.
Commercial sUAS Drone
This competition for a team of 2 is designed to evaluate team members’ skills in the safe and efficient use of drone technology
Job Skill Demonstration - 3 Contests
Competitors demonstrate and explain an entry-level skill used in the occupational area for which they are training. “A” refers to skills taught in the pathway. “Open” is usually a skill learned in WBL or similar that is outside the pathway. “Action Skills” is for students with IEPs. In all cases, the skill should be hands on as it is a “demonstration.”
Robotics - Urban Search and Rescue
A student team designs and operates a robot that simulate equipment used in rescue operations.
There are dozens more that cover everything from speeches to specifc skill sets.
Investigations & Forensics Pathway Director
Stacey Hervey
Stacey teaches high school and college courses in Denver. She was a crime scene tech in Colorado. She enjoys mentoring teachers.
Click Here for her LinkedIn
Email: csi@lapsen.org
