Training and Development Homework

Executive Summary

Training is imperative for CSI trainees, as it provides them with pertinent information on how to handle crime scene investigations properly. This repost includes a review of two training modules: Crime Scene Training: Blood and Crime Scene Training: Fingerprints. Each of the modules provides guidelines and tutorials for CSI trainees to follow when looking for fingerprints and blood samples at a crime scene. Not only do they provide the trainees with guidelines, they also take the trainees through virtual interactive tours of a crime scene, in which the trainee puts what they’ve learned from the training to use. The design of the modules is simple and yet efficient. However, one of them needs re working and the both of them could benefit from being combined with hand-on training. With the adjustments and additions the modules could prove to be even more beneficial for trainees, and allow trainees to fully grasp the concept of the learning objectives; all while ensuring the benefit exceeds the cost.

1. Crime Scene Training: Fingerprints

The Crime Scene Training: Fingerprints module is actually an interactive video training session for CSI trainees. It is approximately 10 minutes long and provides a review of what is essential for trainees to think about when handling fingerprints at a crime scene. The video highlights how to capture fingerprints on different surfaces as well how to properly document and package them for further examination.

As stated above the training is interactive. Before the training begins, it allows the user to choose between a male and female CSI trainee. In addition, during the virtual crime scene tour, trainees can select items at the scene in order to learn how to properly collect samples on each. The video also provides a self-check in which trainees can review answers as well as gathering more information on why the answers are correct. This allows the trainee to control their learning as they are choosing the items to review.

Because this is partly an audiovisual training method, this type of training would likely be suited best for self-motivated visual and auditory learners. The video includes a narrator as well as images that depict what the video is meant to deliver. The trainees or user of the training do not have the ability to ask any questions, they must take notes or review the transcript if something is not understood. Even though it may be suited for audio/visual learners, it can be cost-effective and beneficial anyway.

Currently the cost of the training as it is, is around $150 per trainee. With 25 CSI trainees per class, that is that brings the cost to $3,750. While it may seem like a lot, there needs to be consideration of the savings in which the training can bring as well. In the past year, cases of cross contamination and documentation errors have costs the CSI Dept. a total of $33,000; this would cost-benefit savings of approximately 9:1 (33,000/3,750). This will create a return in investment of 6 or 780% (33,000-3,750/3,750).

It is clear that the training is well worth the cost. The potential savings are great and the module is effective. The included transcript provides additional data and the trainees can use it as reference. It is fairly short, however long videos tend to bore trainees and they can easily lose focus. The interactive segment also allows for trainees to stay in tune and it keeps them focused on the video. Overall the module is useful, effective and can immediately begin to save the organization money.

2. Crime Scene Training: Blood

The Training module “Crime Scene Trainig: Blood”, is another computer-based interactive training video similar to the Fingerprints training module. This five minute training module, reviews what trainees should be thinking about when dealing with blood at a crime scene. The traininge is set in a simulated classroom. Just like the previoulsy discussed module the user picks a male or female trainee and then the trainee enters a clasroom like setting; where the instructor begins to discuss what the training will be on.

It begins with discussing the biological information of blood and it’s components; then discusses what blood patterns can tell an investifator about the crime scene. The section is fairly short, in fact it is shorter than the section in the Fingerprint training module; only lasting 2 minutes and 43 seconds. The scetion closes on discussing the roles of the individuals analyzing the blood and DNA tests. Like the Fingerprint module, the next portion of the module is interactive. The trainee simulation goes out to a crime scene where the user selects items at the crime scene and decides on the proper way to investigate, or collect. Although the training is similar to the Fingerprint training module, the information provided in the review does not really help with the interactive crime scene questions.

This training module is formatted just like the Fingerprint module, so audio and visual learning types would benefit the most from this training as well. Each of these modules have the same ammount of learner’s control. They both give the learner control through the interactive simulations. is also the same. While the objective for this module is for trainees to understand how to gather blood samples as well as how to read blood splatter; the review before the interactive segment is centered more on the biological and genetic information in blood as well as what investigatirs can decipher from blood spatter.

The cost of this training is identical to that of the fingerprints module, however the worth is comparible as this module is not as informative and doesn’t serve it’s purpose. Beofre considering this module for the trainees it needs some inprovement. The training needs to clearly adress the objectives while actually reviewing them; and it should probably be longer. This training would benefit from adding an actual hands-on aspect as well. Any thing that involves action should be combined with hands-on training because it gives the trainee a chance to actively participate. While the additions would obvioulsy increase costs, it may still be beneficial to include them.

Proposal

Overall, the design of the training modules are put togther well and they incorporate different aspects that keep the user attentative and involed with the training. The interactive part of the video is very beneficial to the overall training and it allows the user to become apart of the training. Bringing the trainee to a simulated classroom in the video, allows them to feel as if they are learning in a traditional classroom setting. Then with the transition to the crime scene including the virtual ride, requires the trainee to follow the story line and stay focused on the training. Once the crime scene simulation begins, the user is able to navigate and answer questions which includes details of what the correct answers are and why.

The computer-based training modules are current with the times as they incorporate technology and they are user-friendly. Technology-based training has many benefits. The benefits include reducing the costs associated with delivering training to employees, increasing the effectiveness of the learning environment, and helping the training contribute to organizational goals (Noe, 2013). If the same training were to be conducted in a live setting, not only would there be costs associated with creating a mock crime scene, but there would be costs associated with having a live instructor, having an actual classroom, training materials, and it would take significantly more time.

Although as mentioned in the analysis that costs are virtually nothing compared to the benefits, alternative methods for providing the training may cost more and notably reduce the cost-to-benefits ratio. The only alternative in which may increase the effectiveness of the training while keeping costs low, would be to make it a combination of technology-based training and traditional training. This would include incorporating hands-on training in addition to the module. Hands-on training methods such as simulations, on-the-job training, case studies and more, require the trainee to be actively involved in learning (Noe, 2013). In this particular case, in order to reach top effectiveness, simulation should be incorporated.

Simulation is a type of training method that represents a real-life situation, with the trainee’s decision(s) resulting in results that reflect what would actually happen if they were on the job in real-time (Noe, 2013). For CSI trainees, the simulation would embody an actual crime scene in which trainees would collect and examine simulated blood and fingerprint evidence. Even though the training includes a virtual version of this simulation it would be more effective for trainees to do it in real life, before actively investigating real crime scenes.

Although a real-life simulation would cost, the cost compared to the benefit makes the addition an investment. If simulation were added to this training, the cost per trainee would increase by $425. This would take the cost to $575 per trainee creating a cost of 11,500. Even with the addition the benefit would still be positive. The return on investment would then be 1.87 or 187% (33,000-11,500/11,500).

Recommendation

In closing, the modules alone are good, however they would be more effective as a whole if combined with a live simulation. Therefore the overall recommendation would be to adjust the objectives and review information on the Blood training module, and combine the training with live simulation. As noted, the cost of the training is going to increase. However, the increase in cost is not enough to outweigh the overall benefit. By incorporating this new combined the method, the training will be more effective while broadening the audience appeal to all types of learners; audio, visual and hands-on or kinesthetic.

References