Dr. Joseph Finley to Speak on Underwater Crime Scene Investigation

Dr. Joseph Finley, Director of G4S North America Training Institute, will discuss Underwater Crime Scene Investigations on Oct. 2 at The Evidence Conference

The Evidence Conference, a comprehensive event covering evidence collection, handling, analysis, and chain of custody, takes place Oct. 1-2 in Washington, D.C. at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center.

Joseph Finley, Jr., Ph.D, CPP, Director of G4S North America Training Institute, will discuss Underwater Crime Scene Investigations on Tuesday, Oct. 2 at 9 a.m.

Underwater Crime Scene Investigations of accidents, fatalities, criminal acts, and terrorist acts have evolved greatly over the last two decades. Historically, Public Safety Divers (PSD) have included law enforcement and fire department personnel who would act as first responders to various events acting in a rescue modality.

While this still holds true in certain venues, the role of the PSD has greatly expanded to incorporate a recovery modality. Often, the tangible items of evidence and the descriptive information derived from underwater crime scene investigations make the difference between success and failure when a case is brought to trial. Experience has revealed that a well-trained Underwater Search and Response Team (USERT), coordinated and equipped properly, can be a great advantage in effectively recovering physical evidence. 

About Dr. Joseph Finley
Joseph Finley, Jr., Ph.D, CPP is the Director of the G4S North America Training Institute. G4S is the largest security solutions company in the world, and is involved in all aspects of infrastructure protection and security matters globally. He is Vice President of S.A.R. Dive, Inc., a company that specializes in underwater search and recovery matters, public safety dive training, as well as, maritime compliance issues.

Joseph is a retired Special Agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and was in this capacity for more than 29 years. Since 1987, Dr. Finley was in the Special Operations Group of the FBI and while assigned to the New York Division, was a member of the New York Office Scuba Team (Underwater Search and Evidence Response Team). Upon being transferred to the Miami Division in 1996, he started the Miami Office Scuba Team (Underwater Search and Evidence Response Team) and retired as the coordinator.

He was involved in the development of the FBI’s standard operating guidelines for the Dive program and was active in the FBI Dive Program from 1987 until 2004. Dr. Finley has been certified through NAUI (1974), PADI (1987) and is a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer, Emergency First Responder Instructor, DAN Oxygen Instructor, SSI Open Water Instructor, as well as being associated with IADRS and Dive Rescue International since 1987.

He assisted the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary establish guidelines for a Scuba program to enhance the Coast Guard’s base security initiative. Additionally, he provided assistance to the U.S. Navy, Mayport, Florida, in collating a list of all active Public Safety Dive Teams in the state or Florida, and was involved in the testing/training of the LIMIS (Limpit Mine Identification System) field initiative.

Joseph has lectured at the university level on the various behavioral and psychological aspects of black water diving and has conducted security awareness briefings for local and state law enforcement personnel as it relates to maritime interests.