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Overdose Death Investigations

Drug-related overdose cases are increasing at an alarming rate across the United States. This course is designed to equip law enforcement officers with the tools necessary to successfully conduct and prosecute and drug-related overdose cases.

Course Overview

Course Overview

Course Overview

Course Overview

Course Overview

Course Overview

Course Overview

Drug-related overdose cases are increasing at an alarming rate across the United States. From the heroin epidemic to the fentanyl crisis, communities are experiencing the deadly effects of illicit drugs. Unfortunately, criminals that often supply the drugs that cause the overdoses, often evade prosecution. One of the primary challenges for law enforcement officers assigned to conduct overdose death investigations is the lack of cooperation from witnesses and/or the victim if he or she is not deceased. As a result, the cases are rarely prosecuted.

Successful overdose death investigations rely on a comprehensive strategy to target all those responsible for the death. Using conspiracy laws as well as homicide laws, investigators across the United States have had success in bringing justice for the families of the victims.This training course is designed to equip law enforcement officers with the tools necessary to successfully conduct and prosecute and drug-related overdose cases.

Topics Covered

One of the primary challenges for law enforcement officers assigned to conduct overdose death investigations is the lack of cooperation from witnesses and/or the victim if he or she is not deceased. As a result, the cases are rarely prosecuted.
Successful overdose death investigations rely on a comprehensive strategy to target all those responsible for the death. Using conspiracy laws as well as homicide laws, investigators across the United States have had success in bringing justice for the families of the victims.
  • Opioid Crisis 
  • Primary Drugs Causing Overdoses
  • Federal Drug Conspiracy Laws
  • Treating as Homicide Investigations
  • Toxicology Overview
  • Processing/Securing the Crime Scene
  • Challenges/Interviews/Lack of Cooperation
  • Proactive Investigations

Course Curriculum

Meet the instructor

Steve Junker

Detective, Irving Police Department (retired), Stephen "Steve" Junker spent 34 years with the Irving Police Department, retiring in April 2019. Steve spent 5 years on the SWAT team, where he was involved in executing high risk search warrants, barricaded persons, hostage situations, suicide by cops and assisting patrol on high crime areas. Steve spent 23 years assigned to the narcotics division where he worked in an undercover capacity posing as a drug dealer or drug addict and was also responsible for conducting drug-related overdose death investigations for 10 years. 
Patrick Jones - Course author