TEEX delivering grant-funded Death Investigation Training, Workshops in South Texas

COLLEGE STATION – The high number of immigrant death investigations in South Texas remains a great concern. Although law enforcement agencies in the region are strapped by manpower shortages and doing all they can to prevent these tragedies, more help is needed surrounding proper investigation and coordination with local authorities when these deaths are reported.

To better address law enforcement training needs, the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) has scheduled four, tuition-free, Crime Scene Investigation classes over the next four months in South Texas. The training is being funded by the Governor’s Office, Texas Criminal Justice Division, to provide South Texas law enforcement officers and judicial representatives specialized training through the Texas Forensic Science Academy and Texas Justice Court Training Center located at Texas State University. Primary consideration will be given to law enforcement personnel representing those agencies along the border and Lower Rio Grande Valley region of the state.

The initial class will be hosted this month by Texas A&M University International in Laredo, followed by an August delivery at the Nueces County Sheriff’s Department in Corpus Christi. The City of Pharr Police Department will host a class in September and the final class will be delivered at the City of San Benito Police Department in October. Law enforcement personnel interested in this training can learn more at www.teex.org/csi.

In addition to training provided to law enforcement personnel, two regional death investigation workshops will be administered by the Texas Justice Court Training Center. The initial workshop will be delivered this month in Laredo. The final session in August will be hosted on South Padre Island.

“The ultimate objective surrounding this project is to provide training support to South Texas law enforcement and professional development opportunities to judicial representatives in South Texas with jurisdictional oversight of death investigations,” said Tom Shehan, TEEX Division Director of Public Safety & Security. “Once this project has been completed, all personnel involved in criminal investigations will have the information necessary to properly locate, collect and package evidence in preparation for presentation during a courtroom proceeding.”

About TEEX:
The Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) is an internationally recognized leader in the delivery of law enforcement, emergency response, public works, homeland security and workforce training and exercises, technical assistance, and economic development. Last year, TEEX served more than 169,000 people from every U.S. state and territory and 79 countries worldwide. As part of the National Domestic Preparedness Consortium and. The agency is the home of the National Emergency Response and Rescue Training Center and also sponsors the state’s urban search and rescue team, Texas Task Force 1. TEEX makes a difference by providing training, developing practical solutions, and saving lives. TEEX is a member of The Texas A&M University System.