For information regarding the Oregon Trail Chapter, the best source is the
chapter newsletter.  The editor of the newsletter is Skip Barraco of State Farm
Insurance.

For more information, click here.

Tuition = $150.00 Federal Identification Number 237456030

This course covers all aspects of identification and investigation of stolen vehicles,
including a practical exercise in location and restoration of altered VIN's.  Upon

completion, each student will receive a Theft Investigator's Manual ($35 value),
and a training certificate from the Western States Auto Theft Investigators Assoc-
iation.  WSATI membership is included for the year 2000.

Classes will be presented by past and present auto theft investigators, including
Mel Mooers, a nationally recognized expert in Vehicle Theft Investigation.

Applications will be accepted on a first come-first served basis.  Since previous
classes were quickly filled, we recommend that Officers and Agents apply as soon
as possible. Upon receipt of the tuition, you will receive a confirmation letter and
class schedule. Registrations must be received by April 15, 2000. Call WSATI-NW
President Gene McNaughton for further information at the Seattle PD Auto Theft
Unit, (206)684-8942 or e-mail Gene.

* Training sessions on vehicle related crimes such as auto theft, organized crime,
   and salvaged vehicles
* An update on search and seizure laws from one of the country's leading experts
   in the field, with customized data for participating states
* An opportunity to network with your peers from 15 Western States

Sessions will be led by noted instructors from the FBI, Department of Justice, US
Department of Transportation, National Insurance Crime Bureau, Arizona Auto
Theft Task Force, and the Rocky Mountain Information Network.

Cost: $99        Deadline to Register:    April 15, 2000

Location:    Crowne Plaza, Phoenix Arizona

Contact Howard Bachman or Phil Walton, Arizona MVD Office of Special Invest-
igations (602) 241-9276 X 108 or X 110, for further information.

For additional information regarding the class and registration, contact Detective
Roger Gripe or Christopher Figueroa at (213) 485-2676 or FAX 213 485-8894.

January 31 - February 4, 2000             May 22 - 26, 2000

Classes will be held at the Airport Inn International, San Jose.

Cost: $300 (pending an increase)
POST Plan III, 40 hours
Course Control #5350-30190

Topics will include:     Vehicle ID methods and procedures
                                   Cloned vehicles
                                   Hi-tech auto theft investigation
                                   Everything you need to know about VINs
                                   Vehicle arson

April 11, 2000      April 12, 2000

Classes will be held at the Santa Ana PD Training Facility, Santa Ana
The classes are eight hours in length and are P.O.S.T. certified.
Course Control #2490-29900

The classes are designed to give the in-field officer a better understanding of methods used by thieves and to be able to better recognize VIN switched vehicles.

For information about these classes, send e-mail to Santa Ana Police Training Officer Todd O'Conner, or call Todd at 714 245-8052.

The Investigation of Vehicle Fires Seminar is a two day seminar focusing on the
techniques needed to successfully determine vehicle fire causes.  Each attendee will leave with a better understanding of the basic methods of determining the fire cause in the present day motor vehicle.  Unfortunately, much of the information being disseminated today on vehicle fires is based on material from the 1950s and 60s and has little relationship to the modern vehicle fire investigation.  This course will give the investigator updated information and a fresh start.

First Day will include: 
* Review of motor vehicle fire problems        * Vehicle identification
* Review of fire causes and discussion           * Vehicle operating systems
* Types of vehicle fires   * Motor vehicle arson   * Legal considerations

Second Day will include:
* Collection of evidence in arson cases  * Experiments in vehicle burnings
* Explosions in vehicles; theory and bombs, fuel related
* Garage fires   * Motorhome fires  * Bus, truck & heavy equipment fires

Cost: $435 per person, includes lunch each day, with a 10% discount for groups of five who sign up and pay at the same time.

Three Day Seminar                         September 6-8, 2000 in Lake Tahoe, CA

The three day seminar consists of the two day seminar described above followed by one day of hands-on vehicle fire investigation.

Cost: $675 per person with a 10% discount given if 5 people sign up and pay at the same time.

Contact Lee S. Cole and Associates for further details at 800 828-3550 or Sandy Mahoney via e-mail.