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