Registration
To register for a course:
- Download and complete the forensic training application
- Email it to ra-pspforensicservices@pa.gov, or mail it to:
PA State Police – Bureau Of Forensic Services
Training & Technical Support Section – Course Registration
1800 Herr Street
Harrisburg PA 17103
Upon receipt of the application, you will receive a registration confirmation/denial email within 15 business days.
Cost and Eligibility
The training is free, but lodging and meals are not provided.
All Applicants must be:
- Law enforcement officers with current or anticipated forensic-related duties related to the course, or
- An employee of a law enforcement agency and have forensic-related duties
Determinations of acceptance into a training course shall be made on a case-by-case basis by the supervisor of the Training and Technical Support Section.
2026 Courses
April 13-24, 2026
THIS COURSE IS FULL, but we are accepting applications for a waiting list.
Bureau of Forensic Services Training Facility
1800 Herr Street, 3rd Floor, Harrisburg, PA 17103
Course Description: This is an introductory course into crime scene investigation. Course instruction provided in the areas of physical evidence, crime scene management, types of evidence found at the crime scenes, proper collection techniques, submissions to regional crime labs, and courtroom testimony. Each student will participate in the mock crime scenes.
Required Equipment: Students will need to bring a SLR digital or mirrorless camera with manual, memory card/stick, tripod, sync cord, external flash unit, extra batteries for camera, normal lens (example: 50mm or 28-105mm) and macro lens (close-up lens for latent print photography), locking shutter release cable, and flashlight.
Registration Prerequisite: Students must have taken Basic Crime Scene Photography Course or equivalent PSP approved training.
Certification: This course has been approved for 64 hours of certification/re-certification training credit by the IAI Crime Scene Certification Board.
May 11-15, 2026
THIS COURSE IS FULL, but we are accepting applications for a waiting list.
Bureau of Forensic Services Training Facility
1800 Herr Street, 3rd Floor, Harrisburg, PA 17103
Course Description: This course provides training in the basic principles and fundamentals of a digital camera, lens selection, use of electronic flash, macro-photography, and documentation.
Required Equipment: Students will need to bring a SLR digital or mirrorless camera with manual, memory card/stick, tripod, sync cord, external flash unit, extra batteries for camera, normal lens (example: 50mm or 28-105mm) and macro lens (close-up lens for latent print photography), locking shutter release cable, and flashlight.
Registration Prerequisite: None
Certification: This course has been approved for 26 hours of certification/re-certification training credit by the IAI Crime Scene Certification Board.
May 27-29, 2026
Bureau of Forensic Services Training Facility
1800 Herr Street, 3rd Floor, Harrisburg, PA 17103
Course Description: This course provides instruction in the history of shoe and tire impression evidence, search, documentation, and the collection of the impression evidence. Students will participate in several workshops including photography, measuring, and casting impression evidence.
Required Equipment: Students will need to bring a SLR digital or mirrorless camera with manual, memory card/stick, tripod, sync cord, external flash unit, extra batteries for camera, normal lens (example: 50mm or 28-105mm) and macro lens (close-up lens for latent print photography), locking shutter release cable, and flashlight.
Registration Prerequisite: Students must have taken Basic Crime Scene Photography and Basic Crime Investigation Courses or equivalent PSP approved training.
August 10-14, 2026
Bureau of Forensic Services Training Facility
1800 Herr Street, 3rd Floor, Harrisburg, PA 17103
Course Description: This course provides training in the basic principles and fundamentals of a digital camera, lens selection, use of electronic flash, macro-photography, and documentation.
Required Equipment: Students will need to bring a SLR digital or mirrorless camera with manual, memory card/stick, tripod, sync cord, external flash unit, extra batteries for camera, normal lens (example: 50mm or 28-105mm) and macro lens (close-up lens for latent print photography), locking shutter release cable, and flashlight.
Registration Prerequisite: None
Certification: This course has been approved for 26 hours of certification/re-certification training credit by the IAI Crime Scene Certification Board.
August 24 – September 4, 2026
Bureau of Forensic Services Training Facility
1800 Herr Street, 3rd Floor, Harrisburg, PA 17103
Course Description: This is an introductory course into crime scene investigation. Course instruction provided in the areas of physical evidence, crime scene management, types of evidence found at the crime scenes, proper collection techniques, submissions to regional crime labs, and courtroom testimony. Each student will participate in the mock crime scenes.
Required Equipment: Students will need to bring a SLR digital or mirrorless camera with manual, memory card/stick, tripod, sync cord, external flash unit, extra batteries for camera, normal lens (example: 50mm or 28-105mm) and macro lens (close-up lens for latent print photography), locking shutter release cable, and flashlight.
Registration Prerequisite: Students must have taken Basic Crime Scene Photography Course or equivalent PSP approved training.
Certification: This course has been approved for 64 hours of certification/re-certification training credit by the IAI Crime Scene Certification Board.
September 14-18, 2026
Bureau of Forensic Services Training Facility
1800 Herr Street, 3rd Floor, Harrisburg, PA 17103
Course Description: This course is a basic introduction into the science of friction ridge analysis and fingerprint identification. This course provides the foundation in friction ridge analysis covering the history of fingerprints, pattern recognition and comparison techniques.
Required Equipment: Students will need to bring two fingerprint magnifiers with Henry Discs or same.
Registration Prerequisite: None
Certification: This course has been approved for 32 hours of certification/re-certification training credit by the IAI Crime Scene Certification Board.
September 28 – October 9, 2026
Bureau of Forensic Services Training Facility
1800 Herr Street, 3rd Floor, Harrisburg, PA 17103
Course Description: This is an introductory course into crime scene investigation. Course instruction provided in the areas of physical evidence, crime scene management, types of evidence found at the crime scenes, proper collection techniques, submissions to regional crime labs, and courtroom testimony. Each student will participate in the mock crime scenes.
Required Equipment: Students will need to bring a SLR digital or mirrorless camera with manual, memory card/stick, tripod, sync cord, external flash unit, extra batteries for camera, normal lens (example: 50mm or 28-105mm) and macro lens (close-up lens for latent print photography), locking shutter release cable, and flashlight.
Registration Prerequisite: Students must have taken Basic Crime Scene Photography Course or equivalent PSP approved training.
Certification: This course has been approved for 64 hours of certification/re-certification training credit by the IAI Crime Scene Certification Board.
October 19-23, 2026
Bureau of Forensic Services Training Facility
1800 Herr Street, 3rd Floor, Harrisburg, PA 17103
Course Description: This course provides training in the basic principles and fundamentals of a digital camera, lens selection, use of electronic flash, macro-photography, and documentation.
Required Equipment: Students will need to bring a SLR digital or mirrorless camera with manual, memory card/stick, tripod, sync cord, external flash unit, extra batteries for camera, normal lens (example: 50mm or 28-105mm) and macro lens (close-up lens for latent print photography), locking shutter release cable, and flashlight.
Registration Prerequisite: None
Certification: This course has been approved for 26 hours of certification/re-certification training credit by the IAI Crime Scene Certification Board.