About
Advanced Course on Strangulation Prevention, Class No. 41
The Virtual Advanced Course will cover:
- The most current research and emerging case law on domestic violence and sexual assault strangulation crimes
- The link between stranglers, cop killers, and terrorists
- Understanding lethality and the need for training
- A survivor's perspective
- Lessons learned from San Diego
- Understanding the anatomy, physiology, medical signs and symptoms
- Long term consequences, delayed death, and fatal strangulation
- Need for imaging and how to advocate for implementation
- The role of all first responders, including dispatchers, paramedics, and crime scene investigators
- Investigative strategies, report writing, and interviewing witnesses and the suspect
- Best practices for the forensic/medical strangulation exam
- Successful prosecution strategies
- New strategies for advocacy and working with traumatized victims
- Screening for traumatic brain injury and medical advocacy
- Development of local experts
- Use of experts in court, including tips for testifying
- Advocating for victim safety from the time of arrest through probation
- Court Considerations
- Understanding and integrating ACEs and the Science of Hope in your work
- Best practices and developing an implementation plan, including a county-wide protocol
- Pediatric Investigations and Pediatric Strangulation
- Overcoming typical defenses, including self defense, the sex defense and staged crime scenes
Early Bird pricing of $550 available until 12/31/25, $600 after that. Gather a team and apply today!
Applications for the Advanced Course must be submitted by February 20, 2026. We will respond to accepted attendees as applications are received. After this date, any unconfirmed seats will be made available to attendees on the waiting list.
SUBMISSION OF THIS APPLICATION DOES NOT GUARANTEE ACCEPTANCE INTO THE COURSE.
Preference will be given to professionals who are attending as part of a multi-disciplinary team. All members of a team must submit an application in order to be considered. A typical multi-disciplinary team includes a minimum of four members from any of the following disciplines: law enforcement, medical (paramedic, nurse and/or physician), prosecutor, civil attorney, advocate (community and government), Family Justice Center Directors, Executive Director of DV or SA Coalition, Probation or Court Personnel, and/or Policy Makers.
To get full credit for the Advanced Course, attendees must complete the entire 5 days and all assigned reading.
What You'll Learn
- Collaborate effectively within a multidisciplinary team (MDT) and affinity groups to enhance case outcomes.
- Conduct a comprehensive risk assessment and develop an informed advocacy plan for strangulation cases.
- Analyze recent court cases and review court transcripts to identify legal trends and key lessons.
- Apply trauma-informed principles to both investigation and advocacy processes.
- Observe and evaluate mock direct and cross examinations to understand courtroom dynamics and best practices.
- Identify and engage experts within their MDT to strengthen case preparation and testimony.
- Develop and demonstrate expertise for providing effective court testimony.
- Practice cross-examining expert witnesses to build courtroom confidence and skill.
- Present a strangulation case for review and feedback by faculty and subject-matter experts.
- Design strategies to implement best practices for responding to strangulation in their own communities.
- Deliver a concise 5-minute presentation on a strangulation-related topic with clarity and confidence.
- Build professional networks with peers and experts to support ongoing collaboration and learning.
Who the Training is For
- Law enforcement officers and detectives (including domestic violence/sexual assault units)
- Prosecutors, civil legal attorneys, court personnel and judges
- Medical professionals: paramedics, EMTs, nurses, physicians, forensic nurses and other clinicians who encounter strangulation victims
- Victim advocates, social workers, therapists (LCSWs, MFTs, etc.)
- Members of coordinated community response teams (SARTs = Sexual Assault Response Teams, DVRTs = Domestic Violence Response Teams), Family Justice Center staff, policy-makers and probation/court personnel working on high risk cases