The following are a list of training courses which I currently offer both in-person and online.
If you or company are interested in any of these training courses, please contact me at d_rafuse2@hotmail.com
The following are a list of training courses which I currently offer both in-person and online.
If you or company are interested in any of these training courses, please contact me at d_rafuse2@hotmail.com
Course Title: GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS IN FORENSIC ARCHAEOLOGY
Instructor: Daniel J. Rafuse
Course Length: 4 days (32 hours)
Course Objectives:
This is a 4-day workshop introducing participants to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in Forensics. The primary goal of this course is to support local authorities in their search efforts for missing persons, but the tools and techniques taught can be applied to various scales in crime scene analysis.
A Geographic Information System (GIS) is a software used to create, store, manage, visualize and analyse spatial data. Forensic scientists and law enforcement agents often face challenges due to the vast amount of information collected from diverse data sources. GIS helps consolidate this information within a single spatial database and map, providing decision support tools that surpass conventional cartography. By visualizing layered data such as telephone towers, disappearance sites, and crime incident areas in a single system, GIS enhances crime scene management, reveals patterns and trends, and generates new investigative hypotheses.
This course will provide students with both theoretical and practical experience in GIS, specifically tailored for forensic archaeology, the discipline which supports crime investigators in locating and recovering human remains. Participants will learn to use QGIS, a user-friendly, open-source GIS software widely used in academic and professional environments. QGIS offers numerous add-ons that extend its functionality across various systems.
Course Requirements:
A laptop (Windows, macOS, or Linux).
Students are encouraged to bring their own spatial data (e.g., GPS coordinates or other location data related to their investigations).
Prerequisites:
No prior experience is required. This course is ideal for anyone interested in creating maps and exploring geospatial technologies for crime investigation and evidence presentation.
Course Schedule:
Day 1: Introduction to GIS and QGIS Installation (8 Hours)
Overview of GIS: history, principles, and applications in forensic contexts.
Introduction to geographic coordinate systems.
Installation and configuration of QGIS software, including an overview of the graphical user interface (GUI), processing tools, and plugins.
Day 2: Vector Data Acquisition and Manipulation (8 Hours)
Introduction to vector data: advantages, disadvantages, and acquisition methods.
Creating and importing vector data (e.g., GPS points) from databases (e.g., Excel spreadsheets) into QGIS.
Editing vector data (points, lines, polygons) within QGIS.
Day 3: Raster Data Acquisition and Manipulation (8 Hours)
Introduction to raster data: advantages, disadvantages, and acquisition methods.
Using Web Map Service (WMS) and Web Vector Service (WFS) to visualize geographic information from various agencies.
Georeferencing historical maps or scanned images in QGIS.
Day 4: Map Production (8 Hours)
Creating maps for publication using QGIS.
Guidelines for effective map creation and necessary map elements.
Designing a map layout in QGIS.
Student presentations of their map projects.
Bibliography
Elmes, G.A., Roedl, G., and Conley J. (2014). Forensic GIS. The Role of Geospatial Technologies for Investigating Crime and Providing Evidence. Springer Netherlands. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-8757-4
QGIS Training Manual. QGIS Documentation v: 3.34. Available online at https://docs.qgis.org/3.34/en/docs/training_manual/index.html