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.
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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
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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
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Level 3: Expert Animal Cruelty Investigator
- Ritual animal crimes
- Animal sexual abuse
- Large-scale impounds
- Exotic animals
- Internet crimes
- Networking
- Blood sports
- Relationship of animal abuse & family violence
- Disaster response
- Traveling shows
- Hoarders
- Case building: The team approach
- Diversity