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Courses & Training

Take your forensic training to the next level at STAFS. Our hands‑on, scenario‑driven programs give law enforcement, educators, students, and criminal justice professionals the chance to train like they’re in the field—building sharper skills, stronger confidence, and real investigative readiness.

TRAINING Opportunities

The Southeast Texas Applied Forensic Science Facility (STAFS) delivers practical, scenario‑based forensic training for law enforcement and other criminal justice practitioners. Participants gain hands‑on experience processing mock crime scenes, conducting laboratory exercises, and applying techniques that strengthen field investigations and casework.

STAFS EDUCATIONAL SEMINAR

Does your department have a bona fide educational need for training at STAFS? STAFS offers Educational Seminars to groups that qualify. STAFS Educational Seminars typically last 2 hours and include a presentation about STAFS and the research conducted. Please note that STAFS Educational Seminars can have a cost associated with it and are only open to criminal justice or forensically oriented groups.

Typical Training Topics

Don't see what you need? Contact STAFS today to talk about tailoring a custom request just for your team. 936-294-2310 stafs@shsu.edu

  • Human Osteology
  • Forensic Anthropology
  • Human Decomposition Processes
  • Taphonomy & Postmortem Change
  • Trauma Analysis (Blunt, Sharp, Ballistic)
  • Forensic Pathology Overview
  • Entomology in Death Investigation
  • Forensic Odontology (Basic Applications)
  • Recovery Techniques and Investigation
  • Systematic Search Methods (Line, Grid, Zone)
  • Burial Excavation & Stratigraphic Documentation
  • Surface Scatter Recovery Protocols
  • Mapping & Documentation of Outdoor Scenes
  • Flagging, Bagging, and Chain‑of‑Custody Procedures
  • Evidence Packaging for Skeletal and Decomposed Remains
  • Scene Photography for Human Remains
  • Death‑Scene Assessment & Initial Observations
  • Proficiency Testing
  • Mock Scene Work
  • Mock Casework 
  • Realistic Search Drills 
  • Bone Processing & Cleaning Techniques
  • Biological Profile Estimation (Age, Sex, Ancestry, Stature)
  • Evidence Intake & Laboratory Workflow
  • Mass Fatality Response & Human Remains Management
  • Outdoor Human Remains Recovery in Challenging Environments
  • Thermal, Water, and Animal Scavenging Effects
  • Personal Effects Documentation & Return Protocols
  • Forensic Case Studies & Applied Scenario Training
  • Ethics of Human Remains Handling
  • Donor Program Protocols & Compliance
  • Communication with Families & Stakeholders
  • Legal Considerations in Death Investigation

Coming Soon...

New courses and training opportunities will be announced here as they become available. Check back for updates spring 2027

Contact STAFS

Hours of Operation & Location

8am-5pm, Monday-Friday

PO Box 2529, Huntsville, TX 77341

Email:

stafs@shsu.edu

Phone:

936-294-2310