Course Fee: $299/person
This course may be approved by various state POSTs for continuing education credit. Please let us know if you need specifics from us for you to get credit in your state.
Shots of Deception: Reconstructing Staged Suicides by Firearm presented by Dr. Kenny Kinsey and Dr. Laura Pettler equips investigators, death scene professionals, and forensic specialists with the skills to identify and deconstruct staged firearm suicides. While firearm-related deaths are often classified as self-inflicted, staged suicides present unique challenges that can obscure the truth and delay justice.
Dr. Kenneth “Kenny” Kinsey specialized in crime scene investigation, shooting reconstruction, and use of force analysis, applying forensic expertise across more than 850 death scenes during a 22 year law enforcement career. A former Chief Deputy and PhD, Kinsey is frequently consulted on complex civil and criminal matters and regularly qualified as an expert in state and federal courts. He is also an advocate for professional, ethical policing and strengthening trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve.
This course provides a comprehensive framework for analyzing these complex cases, combining shooting reconstruction techniques with forensic victimology and behavioral and psychological considerations of staging. Participants will learn to recognize telltale inconsistencies in wound ballistics, bloodstain patterns, weapon placement, and scene dynamics, while also examining the victim as the center of the investigation, offender motivation, manipulation tactics, and behavioral red flags.
Through real-world case examples and practical application, attendees will leave with the tools to:
Differentiate authentic suicides from staged firearm deaths
Apply forensic shooting reconstruction methods to ambiguous scenes using Dr. Pettler’s Kaleidoscope Shooting & Bloodstain Reconstruction System and other related equipment
Interpret bloodstain and ballistic evidence in the context of staging
Assess offender behavior and staging psychology
Strengthen case documentation, testimony, and courtroom presentation
This training is designed for law enforcement, medical examiners, coroners, forensic scientists, and criminal justice professionals who encounter firearm-related deaths and need advanced strategies for uncovering deception at the scene.
Location: Crossroads Ranch, 3611 Austin Road, Monroe, NC 28112
When: February 17-19, 2026, 9am-5pm EST
Accommodations:
Airport: CLT Airport
Monroe, NC Hotels, please contact hotels for room rates:
The Holiday Inn Express
The Hampton Inn
Extra Seasonal Activities Planned:
Bonfire
BBQ
Animal interactions available on site
Fishing
Swimming