Dave MacNeil, president of MacNeil Investigations and Forensic Consulting, shows detectives how to make an impression of a fingerprint on a piece of special paper. (Courtesy Stoneham Police Department) 
A closeup of a fingerprint is visible on this camera’s viewing screen as detectives practice documenting fingerprints. (Photo Courtesy Stoneham Police Department) 
A detective uses magnetic powder to dust for fingerprints on a Styrofoam cup as part of the training. (Photo Courtesy Stoneham Police Department) 
Dave MacNeil, president of MacNeil Investigations and Forensic Consulting, shows detectives how to photograph a fingerprint after dusting for it. (Photo Courtesy Stoneham Police Department) 
A detective uses magnetic powder to dust for fingerprints on a tile plate as part of the training. (Photo Courtesy Stoneham Police Department) 
A detective takes a close up look at a fingerprint that he dusted for on a Styrofoam plate. (Photo Courtesy Stoneham Police Department) 
Detectives practice taking close up photographs of fingerprints that they previously dusted for. (Photo Courtesy Stoneham Police Department)
STONEHAM — Police Chief James O’Connor is pleased to report that the Stoneham Police Department is hosting training for detectives from departments that are part of the Northeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (NEMLEC).
Sponsored by the NEMLEC Foundation, the non-profit fundraising arm of NEMLEC, the training lasts two weeks and includes everything from basic crime scene preservation and documentation, to writing search warrants, criminal law, constitutional law, to working homicide investigations.
The training is being facilitated by Dave MacNeil, President of MacNeil Investigations and Forensic Consulting and Attorney A. Kevin Kennedy, both of whom have more than 20 years of experience conducting criminal investigations.
Twenty-five detectives from across the region with a range of experience took part in the training, representing departments in Beverly, Billerica, Burlington, Concord, Danvers, Haverhill, Ipswich, Lincoln, Maynard, North Reading, Pepperell, Stoneham, Tewksbury, Waltham, Winchester, and Woburn.
The training will also include visits from the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office and State Police Detectives attached to the Middlesex County District Attorney’s CPAC Unit, which investigates suspicious deaths and homicides, as well as a trip to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, where detectives will observe autopsies and learn more about the process.
The first week of the training focused on preserving and documenting crime scenes, with detectives learning best practices for locating, processing, and documenting fingerprints and other evidence. The second week focuses on criminal procedure to include; warrantless searches and seizure, search warrants, cognitive interviews, Miranda, digital evidence, and photo arrays.
The training also gives detectives a prime opportunity to network.
“Not only do they learn the same processes and get the same training, they gain the ability to contact each other if they need to confirm information or work together,” said MacNeil.
The training remains ongoing from April 8 to April 19 and is being conducted in the training room of the Stoneham Police Department, at Town Hall, and in a nearby town-owned garage, where detectives will process vehicles for evidence.
“It is tremendously important that detectives have access to the latest training and techniques, so I am pleased we can help facilitate it by providing our facilities,” said Chief O’Connor.