When Kids Pull the Trigger: Tragedies of Unsecured Firearms in the Home

About

Firearms related injuries are a leading cause of death among children in the United States. Many of these injuries and fatalities are related to children gaining access to firearms in the home, whether intentionally or accidentally. This presentation will cover how to investigate incidents in which a child is the primary suspect in firearm related injury that occurred in the home. The presenters will focus on certain aspects of these investigations, including: the initial investigation from the call for service to interviews; likely evidence that can be collected and what it can tell us; common stories given and how to disprove them; and who to charge for the offense. The presenters will use real cases as examples to highlight investigation strategies and unique aspects of these investigations. Finally, the presenters will discuss the judicial aftermath of these incidents and consider what changes can be made to prevent incidents in the future.

Presenters

Corey Foremen is a Detective with the Dallas Police Department, where he has served for over 31 years. For the past 19 years, he’s been assigned to the Child Abuse Unit, investigating child abuse cases, homicides, and child deaths. He has handled thousands of cases, conducted extensive interviews and interrogations, and is a TCOLE-certified instructor. Corey holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Dallas..

Kristen King is a Detective with the Dallas Police Department, where she has served in the Child Abuse Unit for the past five years. She investigates cases involving physical and sexual abuse, child deaths, and homicides. Kristen also serves as a trainer for the unit, teaches Intermediate Child Abuse for the department, and acts as liaison to the Dallas County Child Death Review Team.

Course Materials

The webinar recording can be accessed at the top of the page. Additional materials are linked below.

Presentation Slides