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Second Look Training and Forensic Consulting, LLC: ‘Pursuing the Truth, Wherever It Leads’

By Susan Cushing

Those who thrive on true crime programs such as Forensic Files and Dateline, would undoubtedly enjoy spending a day in the shoes of law enforcement expert Arthur “Steve” Chancellor. With more than 50 years of experience working first as a special agent, supervisor, and commander with the United States Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID) and now serving as an instructor and consultant with his own company, Second Look Training and Forensic Consulting, LLC, Chancellor has brought justice to both victims and those wrongfully accused.

“We’re a little different from other agencies because if we have a potential client, we’ll tell them up front, ‘We’ll take a look at your case. If we can help you, we’ll tell you. But if not, we’ll tell you that right away too,’” he explains. “We don’t try to run up big bills or waste time. There’s no B.S.”

We’re not hired guns,” he says. “Our job is to educate the court.”

That brand of clear-eyed honesty, combined with a wealth of experience in law enforcement, investigations, and forensic consulting, is precisely why Second Look has become a trusted resource for attorneys, investigators, and criminal justice professionals across the country. Founded by Chancellor and his longtime colleague and business partner, Grant Graham, Second Look offers case consultation, forensic analysis, and training services that help ensure justice is served.

Not surprisingly, this powerful combination of experience, credibility, and clear communication make Chancellor and members of his team powerful and in-demand expert witnesses. Drawing from decades of hands-on work in death investigation, scene analysis, and medicolegal forensics, they offer attorneys and courts not just opinions, but thoroughly supported, evidence-based insights. Chancellor emphasizes that their role is not to advocate for one side, but to deliver impartial, scientifically grounded evaluations that help judges and juries understand complex facts.

“We’re not hired guns,” he says. “Our job is to educate the court.”

In both civil and criminal cases, Second Look experts are called upon to analyze the accuracy and completeness of investigations, interpret autopsy and scene findings, and identify possible oversights or misinterpretations. Whether presenting in court or consulting behind the scenes, Chancellor and his colleagues are known for their clarity, professionalism and integrity. Their deep knowledge of protocols, procedures and real-world application gives attorneys an invaluable resource—one that can make the difference in the courtroom.

A Career Forged in Law Enforcement

Before launching Second Look, Chancellor built an impressive career in law enforcement, much of it spent serving as a crime scene analyst and instructor with the Mississippi Crime Lab and later as the director of the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation Cold Case Unit. Over the course of more than four decades, he worked in a variety of roles that gave him a comprehensive understanding of investigative procedure, forensic evidence and human behavior—particularly in high-stress environments.

His background includes major case investigations involving homicides, narcotics trafficking, sex crimes and more. Over the years, Chancellor developed a reputation as a thoughtful, meticulous investigator who understood the value of documentation and the importance of following leads all the way through. Just as critically, he honed a deep understanding of where and how investigative procedures can go wrong.

“Every agency has great people doing great work,” Chancellor says. “But we also know that mistakes are made. Sometimes it’s just pressure. Sometimes it’s tunnel vision. Sometimes it’s a lack of training. Our job is to look at things from a different angle and help others do the same.”

Founding Second Look

The idea for Second Look emerged out of a shared passion for improving the quality and integrity of investigations. Chancellor and Graham realized there was a growing need for professional consultation—especially in cases where past decisions were being scrutinized, or where attorneys needed expert insights into investigative techniques, suspect interviews or forensic processes.

“We saw a gap in the system,” Chancellor recalls. “Defense attorneys, civil attorneys and sometimes even prosecutors needed someone who could look at a case file and say, ‘Here’s what you’re missing,’ or ‘Here’s where the wheels came off.’ And importantly, someone who could say, ‘Actually, this was done right. There’s nothing more here.’”

That philosophy of honesty and objectivity became a cornerstone of Second Look’s identity. The firm doesn’t promise miracle turnarounds or dramatic revelations. Instead, it offers sober, well-supported analysis—delivered in plain language by professionals who know what they’re talking about. “We give you what’s real,” Chancellor says. “Whether you want to hear it or not.”

Ultimately, this was precisely the inspiration for the company’s motto: “Does your case need a second look?”

Sometimes that “second look” can mean freedom for someone wrongly accused and sentenced.

“On one of my first cases, I worked with Duke Law School’s Innocence Clinic. I helped get a guy out after wrongfully serving 22 years,” Chancellor says. “That really underscored to me that this was what I was meant to do, what I want to do. It opened my eyes as to why you need consultants who really know the investigative process.

“When I looked at the report, I was dumbfounded at the things the police were allowed to do that they absolutely shouldn’t. They didn’t destroy evidence, but it was still unbelievable what transpired in this case. They skipped steps and exaggerated. Let’s just say there were several inaccuracies and leave it at that.”

Training for a New Generation

According to Chancellor, one of the most frequent and unfortunate casualties of tighter budgets, is proper training of police and detectives. This leads to mistakes, big and small, so in addition to case consulting, Second Look is deeply invested in training. Chancellor and his team regularly deliver courses and workshops on topics such as investigative interviewing, cognitive bias, case review methodology and evidence-based policing. These sessions aren’t just academic lectures, they’re practical, scenario-driven learning experiences designed for real-world application.

“We’re not talking to people from behind a podium,” Chancellor says. “I’ve worked over 200 homicide crime scenes, so I know what I’m looking for. Many of the things the police and the prosecutors are stating as fact simply are not supported by the evidence and you just can’t say that! We call it tunnel vision, and it can cost an innocent person their freedom or even their life.”

One of Chancellor’s favorite areas of training is cognitive interviewing—a technique developed to enhance the recall of witnesses and victims without introducing bias or leading questions. “It’s an incredibly powerful tool, but it’s underused and misunderstood in a lot of departments,” he explains. “We try to change that.”

Forensic Objectivity in a Polarized World

In an era of increased public scrutiny and growing concern about wrongful convictions, Second Look’s services have become more relevant than ever. But Chancellor is careful to note that his work is not about pointing fingers. “We’re not trying to trash anyone’s work,” he says. “But we also won’t shy away from calling out errors or assumptions when we see them. The whole point is to pursue the truth, wherever it leads.”

This impartiality has made Second Look a valuable asset to both defense teams and prosecutors—an unusual distinction in a field where allegiances can become entrenched. Chancellor is proud of that. “The moment you take sides, you stop being useful,” he says. “What we offer is perspective. That’s what helps cases move forward. We’re not hired liars. Our input is based on scientific research and proven facts.”

In many instances, Second Look is brought in not because of a crisis, but because of a lingering question or a hunch that something isn’t quite right. Whether it’s a questionable confession, a problematic witness statement, or a timeline that doesn’t hold up, Chancellor and his team know how to isolate the issues and work backwards. “Sometimes you just need a fresh set of eyes,” he says.

Telling the Story

An avid researcher, which includes reading virtually everything related to his field, Chancellor is also the author or co-author of five books. Each book focuses on one or more aspects of dissecting a crime scene or ways to accurately read clues, detect authenticity of witness statements, or methods to avoid the deadly tunnel vision that seems to affect so many in law enforcement.

“My last book was about conducting equivocal death investigations,” he says. “Primarily it focuses on investigating suicides.”

Chancellor was prompted to write the book after consulting on suicide cases for families. One strike example was an apparent suicide that was questioned by the family.

“The police said it was a suicide, but my report kind of squashed all that,” says Chancellor. “Despite my report disproving the suicide and that homicide was more likely, the local police refused to take any action, so the family filed a wrongful death suit and won. Sadly, even with the new facts and a winning lawsuit, the police department still refused to reopen the case.”

A Second Look that Makes a Difference

Over the years, Second Look has played a role in high-profile cases, exonerations and internal reviews that have led to policy changes and improved practices. But Chancellor doesn’t chase headlines. For him, success means helping someone see their case more clearly or knowing that a wrongful conviction was prevented or overturned because of a missing piece finally uncovered.

He also finds deep satisfaction in knowing that Second Look’s training programs are equipping others to do the same kind of work—and to do it better than before. “It’s not about us being the heroes,” he insists. “It’s about giving people tools. Giving them confidence. Giving them a new way to think.”

It’s not flashy. It’s not theatrical. And it’s not for show. Second Look Training and Forensic Consulting offers something rare: a calm, unbiased, evidence-based assessment by people who know the system inside and out.

It’s not about us being the heroes. It’s about giving people tools. Giving them confidence. Giving them a new way to think.”