Support Operations Bureau
Crime Scene
• The Crime Scene Unit hit a major
milestone last year when it received a
positive fingerprint on a cylindrical firearm
cartridge.
• The unit was re-certified in accreditation
status in Forensic Inspection.
• The unit responded to 432 calls for service
in the field in 2017.
The Crime Scene Unit is
supervised by two sergeants and
11 civilian investigators. The unit
responds to a variety of field cases
including certain violent crimes,
homicides, and traffic fatalities.
Investigators are specially trained
in locating, collecting, documenting
and processing evidence.
In 2017, the unit responded to
432 calls for service that required
evidence collection and crime
scene documentation. The unit
maintains an active working
laboratory for processing of certain
types of evidence. The unit also
has access to a mobile rolling
lab that can be deployed at field
scenes.
Arlington, Texas Police Department
The unit underwent a thorough
evaluative process to earn a
recertification in the accreditation
status in Forensic Inspection. As
part of the re-evaluation process,
agencies must participate in
annual on-site inspections along
with other external program
certification requirements.
Last year, the unit established
the capability to obtain fingerprints
from cylindrical objects, such as
firearm cartridges. The Cartridge
Enhancement Recovery and
Analysis (CERA LT) was made
operational in 2017. The system
is a semi-automated forensic
optical system designed to
aid in the recovery of latent
fingerprint evidence on cartridge
casings and other objects. It is a
photographic tool which images
the circumference of cylindrical
items and produces a 360 degree
flattened image for viewing.
CERA does not physically
develop latent prints, but reveals
and enhances them utilizing an
optical system. Ridge detail may
not be visible with the naked eye,
but yet visible with the use of this
system. The unique characteristics
allow for an investigator to
document latent prints from gun
cartridges and shell casings and
other cylindrical items left at
scenes.
The CERA’s optical system and
software assisted the department
in 2017 by identifying a fingerprint
from a shell casing. The criminal
case associated with the object
remains under investigation.
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