DES MOINES, Iowa – The field of crime scene investigations is growing both in terms of size and complexity. With that in mind, Des Moines Area Community College is offering a CSI certificate this fall for the first time.

Criminal Justice Professor Danielle Galien says it’s the only lab-based CSI program in the region. “A lot of the programs here in Iowa are sociology-based. So, you’re studying more about why people commit crimes and not how to properly document them or looking at the nuts and bolts of what made up a crime and how it was committed and where to look for fingerprints,” she says.

Galien says a student will be able to obtain a CSI certificate from the college with about one year’s worth of hands-on course work. Fall class offerings in the program include CSI Photography and CSI One. Classes start at DMACC on August 24.    

Galien says the field is ever-changing. There’s a lot of focus these days on how to get evidence off of mobile devices. She says phones have really become mini-computers that hold a wealth of information that can be useful in investigations. “It really tells us a lot about a person, what their intent and their thought process is, and can place them in areas and they might not even know it or think that they’ve deleted all that information and it never truly goes away,” she explains.

Galien says crime scene investigators are in demand in both public and private organizations and businesses. She says starting salaries for crime scene investigators in a metropolitan area like Des Moines are about $50,000 a year. Openings are still available in the fall semester classes.

(Iowa News Service)

A Creston woman was arrested Monday afternoon for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Creston Police say 64-year old Charlotte Brown was taken into custody at her home at around 4:45-p.m., and subsequently released on a Promise to Appear in court.

Authorities said also, three Creston residents reported incidents of vandalism or Theft. A man living in the 600 block of Grand Avenue told police Monday that sometime within the past month, someone had taken several pieces of gold jewelry and cash from his home. The loss was estimated at $3,200. That same day, a man residing in the 700 block of Elm Street, reported that on July 24th, an I-pad mini was stolen from his home. The device was valued at $400.

And, on Sunday, a man in the 600 block of W. Adams Street, in Creston, reported to police that sometime between 8-and 10-p.m. Saturday, someone smashed the windshield, driver’s side window, and rear window of his vehicle that was parked near Elm & Montgomery Streets. The driver’s side view mirror was also broken off. Damage was estimated at $900.

The deadline for non-profit groups and organizations to apply for funds online from either the Cass or Audubon County Community Foundation is looming ever near. The deadline is Sept. 1st.

Funds from the Cass County Community Foundation (CCCF) and the Audubon County Community Foundation (ACCF) are available countywide, to groups and organizations in each respective county. In Cass County, $29,000 was allocated for the Fall grant cycle. In Audubon County, $40,590 is available. Both counties’ grant dollars are for a single year.

Application procedures and guidelines are available online at www.iowacommunityfoundations.org/casscef, (Cass County) www.iowacommunityfoundations.org/auduboncef. (Audubon County)

Click on the Grant Information tab and follow the links.  Detailed instructions are provided in a downloadable form, and a link to the online application is also provided.  Only online applications will be considered. The grant funds are made possible by the generosity of Cass and Audubon County Community Foundation donors for recipients in each respective county, only.

Contact Dennis Nissen at 800-794-3458 or dennis@omahafoundation.org or Denise Cardos at denise@omahafoundation.org with grant application specific questions.   All completed applications will be considered at the October board meeting with notification of results the end of October.

To inquire about donating to either the Cass or Audubon County Community Foundation, contact your county’s respective board members. In Cass County, the CCCF Board Members are: Chair, Nicholas Hunt of rural Atlantic, 243-5485; Vice Chair, Gary Maas, of Anita, 762-3434; Secretary/Treasurer, Roland K. Landsness, Esq. of Atlantic, 243-4154; Royal Bierbaum of rural Griswold, 778-2586; John Curry of Massena, 779-0216; and Mark D. Kyhnn, CPA of Atlantic, 243-1800.

In Audubon County, the ACCF Board Members are: Chair, Genelle Deist of Audubon, 712-563-4288; Vice Chair, Joel Hoegh of rural Brayton, 712-249-3692; Secretary/Treasurer, Barbara Johnson of Audubon, 712-773-5732; Shelley Burr of Audubon, 712-563-2644; Steven B. Hansen of Audubon, 712-563-2065; Daryl Olsen, DVM of Audubon, 712-563-2080; and Joseph T. Rasmussen of Exira, 712-268-5357.

In Southwest Iowa Community Foundations are particularly attractive charities, because donations to those funds may be eligible for a 25% Endow Iowa Tax Credit.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A Des Moines mother whose baby died on a changing table has been ordered to undergo substance abuse and mental health treatments as part of her sentence. Laci Taylor had been accused of drinking alcohol before her original sentencing hearing Aug. 3, when she was given a suspended 10-year prison sentence and five years’ probation. She’d pleaded guilty to felony neglect of a dependent person.

On Monday a judge added the treatments to her sentence but didn’t order her to immediately serve any time behind bars. Taylor also must complete 200 hours of community service. Prosecutors say Taylor left the 3-month-old unattended Sept. 18 on a changing table. The girl’s airway was cut off when she rolled and her neck was compressed against the table ledge.