NACI curriculum

The National Animal Cruelty Investigations School has three different components that should be taken in order. Requests to take them out of order will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Each component consists of a five-day, 40-hour program conducted from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday (typically concludes before 5:00 on Friday). Each program offers four continuing education units upon completion. After completion of all three components (120 hours), you will be a certified humane investigator.

Level 1: Professional Animal Cruelty Investigator

  • Animal law
  • Constitutional law
  • Basic nutrition
  • Basic anatomy
  • Officer safety & survival
  • Basic photography
  • Communications
  • Report writing
  • Courtroom preparation
  • Biosecurity & zoonosis
  • Animal handling & behavior
  • Interviewing & investigation
  • Breed identification
  • Veterinarians & animal cruelty

Level 2: Advanced Animal Cruelty Investigator

  • Compassion fatigue
  • Criminal activity
  • Body condition scoring, including practical
  • Humane euthanasia
  • Proactive approach to investigations
  • Crime scene investigations
  • Career hacks
  • Agricultural animals & confinement operations
  • Equine investigations
  • Pet stores
  • High-volume breeders
  • Officer safety

Level 3: Expert Animal Cruelty Investigator

  • Ritual animal crimes
  • Animal sexual abuse
  • Large-scale impounds
  • Shelter safety
  • Internet crimes
  • Networking
  • Blood sports
  • Relationship of animal abuse & family violence
  • Disaster response
  • Hoarders
  • Case building: The team approach
  • Diversity

NACI faculty

Christy Fischer, Instructor 
Animal Management and Welfare
Wichita, Kansas

K.D. Hearst, Instructor
Law Enforcement Training Institute
University of Missouri Extension
Columbia, Missouri

Daniel Ettinger, Officer II
Denver Animal Protection
Denver, Colorado

Dr. Jennifer Betz
ASPCA, Field Investigations and Response

Kim Wolsiffer, Instructor
Law Enforcement Training Institute
University of Missouri Extension
Columbia, Missouri

Dr. Mark Alley
Techincal Service Veterinarian Zoetis

Dr. Jay Tischendorf
DVM

Darleen Wood, Instructor
ESQ
Auburn, Massachusetts