Seminar Title
Investigating Cases of Child Homicide and Unexplained Deaths of Children
Dates of Events
05/18/2027 through 05/19/2027
Last Updated: 09/11/2026
Instructor(s): Robert G. Lowery, Jr.
Location: South Texas College Regional Center for Public Safety Excellence - 3901 S. Cage Blvd., Pharr, TX 78577
Hotel: Courtyard by Marriott McAllen Airport - 2131 South 10th St., McAllen, TX 78503
Course Registration Fee: $325
Instructor Bio
Robert G. Lowery, Jr.
Robert Lowery was the 5th police official to be appointed as Commander of the elite 35-year Greater St. Louis Major Case Squad, a multi-jurisdictional violent crime task force concerned with the high profile murder investigations in Missouri and Illinois. Serving 2.5 million citizens across 12 counties. Formed partnerships with Federal Law Enforcement agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, United State Marshal Service, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Secret Service and Internal Revenue to maximize resources available for in-progress homicide cases. Robert created the Technical Operations Group, a specially trained team designed to provide electronic support in tracking and locating suspects. Robert created the Family Liaison Program which provided specially trained investigators to work with families of victims of homicide cases, investigated violent crimes with 500 Law Enforcement Investigators from over 100 local, county, state, federal agencies and managed high-level murder cases in collaboration with numerous officers and agencies.
Robert is a member of the International Homicide Investigators Association, Quantico, Virginia, United State Department of Justice, Federal Agency Task Force on Missing and Exploited Children, Washington DC, International Coroners and Medical Examiners Association and Federal Bureau of Investigation and National Academy Association.
Robert Lowery was the 5th police official to be appointed as Commander of the elite 35-year Greater St. Louis Major Case Squad, a multi-jurisdictional violent crime task force concerned with the high profile murder investigations in Missouri and Illinois. Serving 2.5 million citizens across 12 counties. Formed partnerships with Federal Law Enforcement agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, United State Marshal Service, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Secret Service and Internal Revenue to maximize resources available for in-progress homicide cases. Robert created the Technical Operations Group, a specially trained team designed to provide electronic support in tracking and locating suspects. Robert created the Family Liaison Program which provided specially trained investigators to work with families of victims of homicide cases, investigated violent crimes with 500 Law Enforcement Investigators from over 100 local, county, state, federal agencies and managed high-level murder cases in collaboration with numerous officers and agencies.
Robert is a member of the International Homicide Investigators Association, Quantico, Virginia, United State Department of Justice, Federal Agency Task Force on Missing and Exploited Children, Washington DC, International Coroners and Medical Examiners Association and Federal Bureau of Investigation and National Academy Association.
Course Objectives
Course Overview:
This course has been approved by the ABMDI for 13.5 hours of continuing education credit; Accreditation # 24-082
This two-day course is designed for law enforcement homicide and death investigators, coroner/medical examiner investigators, and child protection professionals. Participants will gain comprehensive skills for responding to and investigating cases of child homicide and unexplained child deaths. The training emphasizes investigative accuracy, evidence preservation, family interaction, and the legal and procedural requirements of these sensitive cases.
Through lectures and case studies, attendees will learn to identify accidental versus intentional injuries, respond effectively to high-risk situations, and navigate the complexities of working with families in crisis.
Course Objectives
Participants will learn to:
Respond effectively to the death scene, ensuring proper scene control and evidence preservation
Initiate a thorough investigation into child deaths, including determining cause and manner of death
Evaluate infant deaths, including SUIDI and SIDS, and distinguish myths from realities in shaken baby syndrome
Conduct doll reenactments to reconstruct events and assess injuries
Determine accidental vs. intentional injuries, including:
♦ Falls and head injuries
♦ Burns (patterns, severity, and temperature vs. time)
♦ Bone fractures, bruises, and contusions
♦ Signs of injuries in various stages of healing
Understand child neglect and its contribution to fatalities
Analyze child homicide trends in the U.S., including:
♦ Current child abduction trends
♦ Detection of false abduction reports
♦ Methods of disposing of child remains
♦ Identification of unidentified child remains
Apply interview and interrogation strategies with suspects, witnesses, and family members
Address victim and family issues, including interacting with families in crisis
Recognize unique risks for children with special needs, including those on the autism spectrum, and deaths from
high-risk behaviors such as drowning
Review practical case studies to reinforce investigative strategies and decision-making
This two-day course is designed for law enforcement homicide and death investigators, coroner/medical examiner investigators, and child protection professionals. Participants will gain comprehensive skills for responding to and investigating cases of child homicide and unexplained child deaths. The training emphasizes investigative accuracy, evidence preservation, family interaction, and the legal and procedural requirements of these sensitive cases.
Through lectures and case studies, attendees will learn to identify accidental versus intentional injuries, respond effectively to high-risk situations, and navigate the complexities of working with families in crisis.
Course Objectives
Participants will learn to:
Respond effectively to the death scene, ensuring proper scene control and evidence preservation
Initiate a thorough investigation into child deaths, including determining cause and manner of death
Evaluate infant deaths, including SUIDI and SIDS, and distinguish myths from realities in shaken baby syndrome
Conduct doll reenactments to reconstruct events and assess injuries
Determine accidental vs. intentional injuries, including:
♦ Falls and head injuries
♦ Burns (patterns, severity, and temperature vs. time)
♦ Bone fractures, bruises, and contusions
♦ Signs of injuries in various stages of healing
Understand child neglect and its contribution to fatalities
Analyze child homicide trends in the U.S., including:
♦ Current child abduction trends
♦ Detection of false abduction reports
♦ Methods of disposing of child remains
♦ Identification of unidentified child remains
Apply interview and interrogation strategies with suspects, witnesses, and family members
Address victim and family issues, including interacting with families in crisis
Recognize unique risks for children with special needs, including those on the autism spectrum, and deaths from
high-risk behaviors such as drowning
Review practical case studies to reinforce investigative strategies and decision-making