Crime Scene Forensics Educational Travel

Las Vegas

Crime Scene Forensics

At a Glance

Leave fiction behind and get the facts on how modern forensic science is used to solve crimes involving assault, robbery, kidnapping, murder and fraud. Criminal justice professionals, forensic pathologists and scientists take you behind the scenes for a comprehensive look at how old-fashioned detective work combines with cutting-edge technology to solve crimes and mysteries.

Activity Level

Easy

Minimal walking involved each day.

Best of all, you'll ...

In lectures and presentations led by the experts, learn the basics of how blood pattern, fingerprinting and dental forensics factor into law enforcement investigations.
Meet with real criminal justice professionals who share stories about the work they do each day investigating crime scenes.
Forget what you’ve seen on TV — learn to distinguish the realities of crime-scene investigation from the dramatizations in popular culture.

General Notes

Due to the nature of this program, listening devices are not available.

Featured Expert

All Experts

Dana Marks

Dana Marks has been employed with North Las Vegas for the last 12 years in the Crime Scene Unit and is a certified Crime Scene Analyst with the International Association for Identification. She also is the Vice President of the Nevada State Division of International Association for Identification (NSDIAI). In addition, Dana Marks is the Nevada Representative for the Western Identification Network (WIN).

Dana Marks

Mark McNett

Jeffrey Lomprey

Suggested Reading List

View 2 books

Techniques of Crime Scene Investigations (7th edition)

by By Barry A. J. Fisher

CRC Press - 473 Pages (lots of photos)

Henry Lee's Crime Scene Handbook

by By Henry C. Lee, Timothy Palmback, Marilyn T. Millar

Academic Press - 409 pages (lots of photos)

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5 days

4 nights

9 meals

4 B 3 L 2 D

Getting There

See travel details and required documents

DAY

Hotel Check-In / Orientation / Group Dinner

Las Vegas, NV

Harrah's Las Vegas

Afternoon: 4:30pm - Orientation – Meet your guide and take a closer look at our plans for the next 4 days. We will review the up-to-date daily program and any changes, discuss responsibilities, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer any questions you may have.

Dinner: Dinner with the group

Evening: Free Time: We do not schedule any week-night evening activities, with the exception of the Farewell Dinner (Thursday). Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. If you are interested in attending any of the many entertainment activities and would like to make arrangements before you arrive, entertainment information can be found on the Internet by accessing www.lasvegas.com. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions or give directions.

DAY

Canine Unit / Forensic Dentist / Arson Investigation Lecture

Las Vegas, NV

B,L

Harrah's Las Vegas

Activity note: This is a full classroom day with minimal walking.

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: "The Role of the Forensic Dentist" Learn the role forensic dentistry plays in the identification of victims and analysis of bite pattern injuries.

Lunch: Lunch at the UNLV Dining Commons

Afternoon: Experience a glimpse into the world of a Fire Department Arson Investigation. Learn about the analysis of fire-related incidences and fire science from a current North Las Vegas Fire Department Fire Investigator.

Dinner: Dinner is NOT provided tonight, allowing you the chance to explore all the Las Vegas culinary world has to offer.

Evening: Evening: At leisure

DAY

Retired LVMPD Detective

Las Vegas, NV

B,L

Harrah's Las Vegas

Activity note: This is a full classroom day with minimal walking.

Breakfast: Breakfast buffet at the hotel.

Morning: "Homicide Investigation: Myth vs. Reality" - A retired LVMPD Homicide Detective will guide you through the basics of homicide investigating while providing plenty of personal experiences and reviewing actual homicide cases. More than a few myths will be busted along the way!

Lunch: Lunch at off campus location

Afternoon: Continue with LVMPD Homicide Detective and learn about Case Studies and Tools of the Trade

Dinner: Dinner is NOT provided tonight, allowing you the chance to explore all the Las Vegas culinary world has to offer.

Evening: Evening: At leisure

DAY

Police Department Crime Lab Staff Member / Farewell Dinner

Las Vegas, NV

B,L,D

Harrah's Las Vegas

Activity note: This is a full classroom day with minimal walking.

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: "Blood Pattern Analysis" Listen as a working City of North Las Vegas Police Department as a Senior Crime Scene Analyst explains how blood patterns can determine what took place before the police arrived and how DNA can be used to bring the guilty to justice.

Lunch: Lunch at the UNLV Dining Commons

Afternoon: Fingerprinting hands-on experience and presentation on modern day fingerprinting methods by a North Las Vegas Police Department staff member.

Dinner: Farewell Dinner with the group. It's a plated 3-course meal with choice of entrée plus coffee, tea, water; other beverages available for purchase.

DAY

Detention Center Field Trip / Departure Day

Las Vegas, NV

Activity note: Field trip involves easy walk through facility, on level surfaces. Facility is also wheelchair accessible.

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: Field trip - Guided tour through the Henderson Detention Center. See where criminals end up when they get caught!

Meals

9 Meals

4 Breakfasts

3 Lunches

2 Dinners

The following choices may be available when requested in advance: Vegetarian, Gluten Free, Low Salt, Low Fat

Lodging

Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.

Display

Nov 13, 2017 - Nov 17, 2017

Jun 12, 2017 - Jun 16, 2017
Sep 11, 2017 - Sep 15, 2017
Oct 02, 2017 - Oct 06, 2017
Nov 13, 2017 - Nov 17, 2017

Harrah's Las Vegas

4 nights

Las Vegas

Harrah’s is an 86,664 square foot hotel/casino, located on "The Strip". The 2,500 room Hotel/Casino rests within walking distance of a variety of other Hotel/Casinos including: The Flamingo, Bellagio, Bally’s, Paris, Caesars Palace and many more. Casino games include: Blackjack, Caribbean Stud Poker, Craps, Keno, Let It Ride, Pai Gow Poker, Roulette, Slots, Baccarat, Megabucks and more. The casino has a poker room. and a 45-seat race and sports book, equipped with 55 televisions and four big screens. Shuttle Service: You can visit Harrah’s sister properties, Bally's/Paris and Rio using their free shuttle. Shuttle pick up location: Far east-side of property, located directly behind the Registration/Front Desk at Harrah's Las Vegas. Schedule: Pick-ups daily from 10am-1am. Shuttle departs approximately every 30 minutes. *Sorry, no luggage allowed on shuttle bus.

TripAdvisor Reviews

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16 Reviews

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5 Average

Randall

Class of 2017

Cheyenne, WY

(5) 28 days ago

If you think solving crimes is an interesting topic, this program is for you.

LEANOR

Class of 2017

SALOME, AR

(5) a month ago

A wonderful program. Had so much fun learning how to be a "detective."

Diane

Class of 2017

Rogers, AR

(5) a month ago

Although this was my first Road Scholar tour, I have been on tours through other companies. This far exceeded my expectation. This was a week I will remember for a long time to come.

Nancy

Class of 2016

Sun City West, AZ

(5) 6 months ago

I enjoyed it very much. Was able to see a lot of Las Vegas and the Leader was very informative about the Las Vegas Area.

Mary

Class of 2016

Saint Louis, MO

(5) 8 months ago

If you are gluten free, dairy free or vegetarian, you will not have dietary problems. All the buffets have many varied choices. Nathan our moderator is a native Nevadan and a retired school teacher. His historical and currant Las Vegas knowledge is vast and very entertaining. This trip has an Easy Activity Level, but you can be as active as you would like by “hiking” down the Strip. I thoroughly enjoyed riding on the 550-foot tall, 520-foot diameter giant Ferris wheel the High Roller. Because of the vast amount of crime/forensic knowledge I acquired in the classes, I will never view crime dramas or read mystery books the same way.

Margaret

Class of 2001

Colorado Springs, CO

(5) 11 months ago

If you relish crime shows, either fictional or not, this course is perfection. The instructors are fantastic and share their enthralling, real-life experiences. They explain what is true and what is just dramatized for TV during any crime scene investigation. And the Detention Center tour is eye-opening. You have a deeper appreciation and understanding for anyone in this line of work after hearing all they have to tell.

Ron

Class of 2014

Phoenix, AZ

(5) 11 months ago

Interesting and informative program on local law enforcement; and the scientific methods used to solve cases.

Mickey

Class of 2001

Escondido, CA

(5) 11 months ago

Great program! Interesting, informative, and well prepared. The speakers knew their stuff and didn't talk over our heads. The hotel was fine, right in the middle of the action, and within walking distance to a lot of places. Our leader was one of the best we've had on a Road Scholar program (this was our 5th) -- always making sure everyone had what they needed, and telling us about the "real" Las Vegas as we went to and from the classroom. And since most of the meals were buffets, I got to eat exactly what I wanted in the proportions I wanted. I highly recommend this program!

Michael

Culver City, CA

(5) a year ago

topics were well presented by experienced lecturers.

Shelley

Class of 2013

Portland, OR

(5) a year ago

Exceeded my expectations. The two all-day speakers kept my attention throughout the day, and have inspired me to consider taking a criminology course at a nearby university! The whole program was great, with an organized leader who was ready to share lots of local info as well as guide us through the program. We enjoyed comfortable lodging at Harrah's, consistently good food and just the right amount of free time. Only disappointments: not having an arson speaker and the visit to Henderson Detention Center as part of a forensics program. (Maybe for a judicial system program...) It felt intrusive to be observing detainees, some at their lowest and some before even having a hearing. It felt like a violation of their privacy, such as it is. Despite that, I recommend the program to anyone curious about crime scene forensics.

John

Class of 2014

Fort Collins, CO

(5) a year ago

The program was well organized and most interesting. The lecturers were real professionals who knew how to communicate well in a class situation. Our tour leader was very good provided extra bus time to view the greater Las Vegas area. Thanks so much and don't leave any fingerprints!!

Suzanne

Class of 2016

Lakewood, CO

(5) a year ago

This was my first RS program, and I was impressed! The setup, the content, the accommodations, the instructors (definitely the instructors!!), the tour leader. This program gave a lot of value for the cost. Even the food was very good, something I don't expect in a hotel like Harrah's. Hats off, too, to the other participants. Everyone was friendly and courteous, and this is no small matter when it comes to tour groups! The program provided through UNLV was very, very interesting. Great way to spend 5 days. I look forward to my next RS adventure.

Beverly

Class of 2016

Stony Point, NY

(5) a year ago

"Soup to Nuts" one of the best organized programs I've ever attended. Questions were anticipated and answered quickly and politely, making my worries evaporate, and my experience enriched.

Paula

Class of 2015

Tiburon, CA

(5) a year ago

You could not select a better program if you are interested in crime scene forensics! Excellent instructors, well organized, superior leader.

Class of 2004

Portland, OR

(5) a year ago

"Only 55% of murder cases arrest and convict a murderer." Come see how law enforcement is upping the odds of success! Science is the answer.

Janice

Class of 2003

Crawfordsvlle, IN

(5) a year ago

I'm from Indiana and I liked the chance to come to Las Vegas, stay in the most convenient location, have a very lively director who told and showed us everything about the area, and also be able to take in 3 shows during our interesting program. Excellent!