Forensic Training for the Forensic Practicioner
Optimum Forensic Solutions (OFS) was started with one simple goal in mind: To strengthen the state of crime scene processing by offering quality services and training to the agencies that need them. The instructors at Optimum Forensic Solutions have been educated, trained, and employed in the field of crime scene investigation for years. In that time, a significant issue was recognized in the field of crime scene investigation: many officers tasked with processing crime scenes for forensic evidence have little, if any, training. And the training they receive may not be the most up-to-date or accurate.
The state of forensics is an a peculiar place at the moment, with a push towards an independent investigator who is not under the authority of a law enforcement agency and has no allegiance towards the prosecution or the defense, but rather an allegiance to the truth as an objective investigator. With this push towards a more independent investigator, the onus will be on the investigator to prove they have received relevant and adequate training in any field they work; this is where Optimum Forensic Solutions enters the picture. The working instructors at OFS are constantly working to stay abreast of the recent technological advancements within the field as well as instituting the recommended best practices. All working instructors maintain an exceptional skill set that has been honed and refined through years of formal education, on-the-job training/experience, and professional forensic certifications.
We offer tailored-to-fit trainings that meet your agency's needs. If your city only gets one homicide a year, then death investigation training may not be as relevant as it would be in Detroit, Chicago, or Kansas City. We offer an array of course topics such as Fingerprint and DNA Evidence, Death Investigation, Sexual Assault Investigation, Bullet Trajectory & Impact Analysis, and Bloodstain Pattern Recognition (plus many more). All subjects are Missouri POST approved for continuing law enforcement credits (check with your peace officer governing body for reciprocal training credit status).
When you attend a training presented by Optimum Forensic Solutions you are being trained by professionals who have spent years working scenes and are familiar with common issues and difficulties that arise during scene processing. Together, our instructors have over 20 years of combined educational and professional experience in forensics as well as many years of teaching experience. Our overall objective is simple: to make your work product the best it can be.
George Santoro, M.S., CSCSA holds a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from Radford University (Radford, Virginia). After completing undergrad, he continued his education and obtained a Masters degree in Forensic Science with a concentration in Advanced Investigation from the University of New Haven (West Haven, Connecticut). During his master's program, he spent time as an intern with the Omaha Nebraska Police Crime Scene Unit where he developed a deeper passion for the field of forensics.
Since 2010 he has worked in the field of Crime Scene Investigation within a large metropolitan police agency. During his time as an investigator, he has been involved in the investigation of over 1000 crime scene investigations including: homicide investigations, officer-involved shooting scenes, aggravated assaults, sexual assaults, robberies, and property crimes.
Throughout his tenure as an investigator, he has maintained certification as a Crime Scene Investigator via the International Association for Identification. He has held the titles of Crime Scene Investigator, Field Training Officer, Technical Leader, and Supervisor within the Crime Scene Unit. As the Technical Leader within the section, he was responsible for maintaining all technical procedures and training manuals published within the unit, as well as the training of new employees. He is a member in good-standing in numerous Forensic Science Organizations.
Since 2013 he has provided training to numerous law enforcement agencies as well as college students regarding the documenting, recovery, and preservation of forensic evidence. He has committed to being a life-long learner in the field of forensics, having attended over 600 hours of professional training within the field; and presenting over 500 hours of instruction on forensic-related topics.
In addition to providing instruction on witness testimony techniques, George Santoro has been called to testify in dozens of trials and depositions including officer-involved shootings, homicides, aggravated assaults, robberies, and sexual assaults.
