Presented by Ron Smith and Associates, Inc., and the

Instructor: Dwane Hilderbrand, CFWE, CLPE, CSCSA
 

Course Description

Footwear and Tire Tread Examiners:
Crime Scene Technicians:

Text Box:

This particular training class is broken down into two (2) sections:
1) The Examination and Comparison of Footwear Impression Evidence and,
2) The Examination and Comparison of Tire Impression Evidence.    

  • Did you know that there are proactive and a reactive sides to every footwear and tire tread examination?   

  • Have you ever wondered how examinations and comparisons are performed with footwear and tire treads?  

  • Do you know and understand the manufacturing process of outsoles and tire treads and how this relates to the examination and comparison process? 

  • Do you know what “pitch sequence” is and how it will assist the examiner in the comparison of tire? 

  • Do you know and understand the ACE-V methodology of footwear and tire tread comparisons? 

  • Do you know how to write conclusions?  

  • Have you ever wondered what the final conclusions mean and can you testify to them effectively in court?

 

Text Box: This course is directed at examiners who are just beginning to learn how to compare and examine footwear and tire tread impressions as well as crime scene examiners who want to learn more about the evidence they collect and submit. Current examiners who have not had the opportunity to examine a variety of casework as of yet will also benefit from this course. Examiners seeking eventual IAI certification should consider this training as well. 

An effort is made by this instructor to present this very technical discipline in an understandable manner. The goal of this course is to provide a solid understanding of the proper techniques and methodologies used in the examination and comparison of footwear and tire track impression evidence. A strong emphasis will be placed on the application of “A.C.E. – V. Methodology” to the process, as the science and the courts clearly demand. 

Unlike Dwane’s separate 3 day examination courses - one specifically for footwear and one for tire tracks, this course will teach both footwear and tire tread examination. This course is designed around a challenging five day schedule with actual case work examinations of both outsoles and treads built into the program. 

Through hands-on exercises, the student will gain a working knowledge of the proper methodologies of the examination and comparison process, as well as a confidence that will go back to the job with them at the completion of the training.  

Because the job doesn’t stop once you arrive at your conclusions - understanding the value and meanings of your conclusions is significant to writing a solid written report based on those conclusions. Use of field notes, case work notations and preparation of known exemplars are all part of the documentation of your case and eventually it’s presentation in court. How to effectively support and present your reported conclusions in court will also be dealt with as part of this course.
 
ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR  
 

Dwane Hilderbrand, Senior Consultant/Instructor
Ron Smith & Associates, Inc.
Scottsdale, Arizona

 Dwane Hilderbrand began his distinguished criminal justice career in 1975 with his employment in the Identification Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, located in Washington, D.C.  In 1978 he accepted a position as Identification Technician with the Prince William County Police Department in Woodbridge, Virginia, where he was employed until 1981, when he was offered a forensic identification and crime scene position with the Scottsdale, Arizona Police Department.  Dwane dedicated the remainder of his government career to the development of his advanced technical analytical and testimonial skills and retired in October of 2005 with twenty-four years of service to the citizens of Scottsdale, Arizona.  He is now employed as a senior consultant and instructor with Ron Smith & Associates, Incorporated, headquartered in Meridian, Mississippi.

 Subsequent to Dwane’s studies in Police and Forensic Science, he earned a Bachelors Degree in Management from the University of Phoenix followed by a Master’s Degree in Education from Northern Arizona University.  He is one of the very few forensic professionals in the world who has earned professional certifications from the International Association for Identification as a “Certified Latent Print Examiner”, “Certified Senior Crime Scene Analyst” and “Certified Footwear Examiner”.

 Dwane Hilderbrand, a P.O.S.T. certified instructor, has been invited to speak on a wide variety of forensic related topics at professional conferences across the United States and abroad.  His famous “involve them and they will learn” teaching style has made him one of the most sought after instructors in the criminal justice profession.  

This particular seminar, “Collection and Preservation of Footwear and Tire Track Evidence” is one of Dwane’s most educational and enjoyable courses of instruction.  He has done extensive research on the topic and has developed a methodology of teaching criminal justice professionals from all aspects of law enforcement on how to properly and effectively collection and preserve track evidence.  Dwane also has written and published his first book entitled, “Footwear, The Missed Evidence-A field guide to the collection and preservation of footwear evidence”.  He understands the needs of crime scene investigators and is able to assist them in reaching a common goal, “to collected the evidence”.  He is able to supply the student with the necessary information in such a way that it is not only understandable but also enjoyable.  Dwane is an accomplished expert instructor in this area of crime scene investigation.

 These advanced instructional skills are the reason that Dwane Hilderbrand has been personally selected by Ron Smith & Associates, Inc. to be a primary instructor of this very popular three (3) day collection and preservation of footwear and tire track evidence seminar.

GENERAL COURSE INFORMATION

 

Daily Schedule: This course will begin at 8:00 a.m. on the 1st day of the workshop. Classes will begin each day promptly at 8:30 a.m. and conclude by 4:30 p.m. On the last day, the class should conclude no later than 4:30 p.m.

Class attire should be casual and comfortable.

This training seminar has been approved for 40 hours of Continuing Education Credit required for I.A.I. Certification and Re-certification

Certificates of attendance, authorized by the International Association for Identification, will be awarded to each student successfully completing the seminar.

TUITION: See course registration page
 

COURSE CALENDAR

 
 

 

 

WAYS TO ENROLL

Online:
Visit the registration link for the scheduled date and location in which you are interested and fill out the online registration form associated with this course.

By FAX:
Complete all the information on the registration form, print it out and fax it to us at 601-626-1122.

By Mail:
Complete all the information on the registration form, print it out and mail it to us at:

Ron Smith & Associates, Inc.
Attention: Training Division
P.O. Box 670
Collinsville, Mississippi 39325


By Phone:
Call us toll free at 1-866–TEAM RSA (832-6772) and register directly with one of our Training
Division staff members.

PAYMENT OPTIONS:
By Check:
Checks are to be made payable to “Ron Smith & Associates, Inc.” All registrants should forward a
department check, personal check or purchase order, along with a copy of their completed registration
form to Ron Smith & Associates, Inc.


By Credit Card:
To pay by credit card, please contact Ron Smith & Associates, Inc. and speak with one of our
representatives. Call toll free at 1-866–TEAM RSA (1-866-832-6772)