El Dorado County Sheriff's Office 2017 Annual Report | Page 17

Crime Scene Investigation

Crime Scene Investigators (CSI) are a vital part of

the Sheriff’s Office. They are a team of science-

minded deputies who endeavor to find the truth

in the form of physical evidence. In the

courtroom, evidence is the standard on which

society measures belief. It both proves and

disproves investigative theories. In many

circumstances it is the foundation on which a

case is developed.

CSI is comprised of 14 sworn patrol Deputies and

a Sergeant who oversees them. The team is led

by one designee who coordinates training,

equipment and events. This unit is tasked with

the responsibility of preserving, collecting and

processing vital evidence for the most high

profile cases in this county. This unit is on call to

respond 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year in all types of inclement weather and to some of the most inhospitable

environments. CSI is there, seeking the truth in

the interest of justice.

CSI team members are selected among already

serving deputies as a collateral assignment and

typically work as CSI during their off hours. The

benefit of this is that CSI trained deputies are able

to utilize their expertise, not only on CSI assigned

cases, but in the field. They are regularly

providing first class investigation practices to

many lower profile cases within the county.

Additionally, many CSI members are also Field

Training Officers who train new deputies on

advanced evidence collection and processing

techniques.

This year, deputies responded to over 50 formal crime scenes. Typical scenes include homicides, suspicious deaths, robberies and other violent crimes. CSI is tasked with the most sensitive cases and treat that responsibility with the utmost care. Every case is important and Crime Scene Investigators have made a commitment to the community to care for our victims and witnesses and enforce crimes with the highest level of precision.

In late May, the El Dorado County Cold Case Task Force with the assistance of the Chico University Anthropologist performed an exhumation for a female subject. The female was buried at a cemetery in 1979 as a Jane Doe homicide victim.

After the El Dorado County Cold Case Task Force

conducted an investigation they were able to learn through DNA the identity of Jane Doe and learned she was from the east coast. After being recovered she was returned to her family to be buried with other deceased family members at their request.

The Cold Case Task force is a collaboration of El Dorado County Sheriff Detectives, South Lake Tahoe Police Detectives and El Dorado County Deputy District Attorney Investigators. The task force works together in attempting to solve numerous unsolved cold case homicides throughout El Dorado County.

Overall this year, our unit saw a decrease in the

seven major crimes within our county. Although

Homicide saw a slight increase, El Dorado County

is fortunate in that any murders experienced

within our community are typically isolated

incidents or "heat of the moment" crimes.

The investigations unit prides itself on their

service to the public and their commitment to

creating a safer and better quality of life for the

community.

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