Event Details
Alternate Light Source (ALS), BLUESTAR & Impression Evidence - Mechanicsville, VA
Date(s): Wednesday, August 26th 2026 at 08:30 AM – Friday, August 28th 2026 at 05:00 PM
In this three-day hands-on workshop students will learn how to deploy ALS and BLUESTAR® in a crime scene environment. In addition to learning the proper methods of usage, students will learn through practical exercises the best methods of photographic documentation of positive reactions in laboratory and field settings. Students will also be introduced to techniques for locating, photographing, and recovering three dimensional and two-dimensional impression evidence during a systematic approach to a crime scene investigation. Students will be given hands-on exercises in photography, casting and lifting techniques.
This course is designed for personnel who process crime scenes and have knowledge of crime scene photography utilizing Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) or Mirrorless cameras. The techniques learned in this course cannot be applied with standard “point and shoot” digital cameras due to the need for extended shutter speed times. The Department of Forensic Science will supply ALL necessary equipment to complete the course. Students may choose to bring their own photography equipment, provided it is a DSLR or Mirrorless camera and includes all applicable equipment (flash unit, tripod, etc.) as well as their own ALS equipment. Those bringing their own camera systems should be familiar with its basic operation. If a laptop is available to you, please make every effort to bring it to the class to review your work product.
There is no fee to attend this course.
This course will only accept 12 applicants and is restricted to personnel from Virginia law enforcement agencies. There is no fee to attend this course.
The registration will close on August 15th, 2026 at 5:00PM unless the course receives an overwhelming number of applications, which will prompt closing the course sooner.
It is very important that you include your duties and responsibilities when prompted during the application process; that information is needed to be considered for this course. Remember, you must have a valid email address to complete your application and follow the instructions to create a profile (one email address per profile, no duplications). In the field for “middle initial”, input a hyphen (-) if you do not have one since it is a required field. The email address utilized will receive a confirmation message once the application is submitted and a following email stating acceptance or denial to the course once the application has been reviewed. If you have already created a profile, you need only to log-in after entering the event password. *** If you do not receive a confirmation email, check your spam folder. If it DOES end up there, then most likely, the email indicating your acceptance will be sent to spam as well.***
For additional information, view “Course Resources”, as additional information may be posted. If you have questions or concerns with submitting, please feel free to contact me.
Tiffany J. Alston
Virginia Department of Forensic Science
Division of Technical Services
Forensic Training Section
8850 Times Dispatch Blvd.
Mechanicsville, VA 23116
Desk: 804-588-4132
Main line: 804-786-6936
Course Resources
Applications are not being accepted at this time