Forensic and investigative tools for unidentified decedents

$80.00

March 26, 2026 - 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM  EST

Live Webinar

Instructor: Kristen McLeod, D-ABMDI

This 3-hour webinar provides investigators, medicolegal death professionals, and crime scene personnel with practical guidance for identifying unknown decedents. The session reviews traditional and advanced forensic methods, legal and jurisdictional considerations, and investigative resources available at the local, state, and federal levels. Participants will learn how to effectively use tools such as NamUs, NCIC, fingerprint analysis, dental comparison, medical/surgical implant research, anthropological assessment, and DNA-based approaches including mitochondrial DNA and forensic genetic genealogy.

Topics Covered:

• Legal and Procedural Requirements for Unidentified Remains
• Investigative Databases and Resources
• Identification Methods, including Fingerprinting Approaches/Limitations and DNA-Based Identification Methods
• Case Examples demonstrating Various Identification Methods

This training is ideal for crime scene investigators, death investigators, and forensic professionals who want to enhance their knowledge when working with unidentified decedents.

Taught by Kristen McLeod, an experienced medicolegal death investigator with extensive knowledge of the forensic and investigative resources involving unidentified decedents.  Kristen currently is responsible for managing the unidentified decedents for District Six Medical Examiner's Office covering Pinellas and Pasco Counties in Florida and has had several successful identifications utilizing the resources discussed in this training.

This class is approved for 3 hours of ABMDI (pending) continuing education and IAI Crime Scene Recertification credits.

Attendance Policy: Students must attend this class to receive a certificate.  Students that have enrolled in the class but need to cancel shall contact Suncoast Forensics at meredith@suncoastforensics.com.  No shows for the class will result in a non-refundable class fee.  This fee will be waived in instances of legitimate emergencies.  If an agency needs to send a substitution in place of a registered student, contact Suncoast Forensics to provide updated student information.

This webinar can only be attended by the individual that has registered for the course. Suncoast Forensics does not permit the watching, listening, broadcasting or distributing of this webinar to any individuals that are not registered for this course.