Crime Scene Unit and Crime Lab

Crime Scene Unit

The Crime Unit consists of 12 sworn detectives, 2 sergeants, 2 crime scene technicians and 3 support personnel.

Crime Scene Unit detectives are responsible for the documentation of major crime scenes including homicides, suicides, sexual batteries, armed robberies, shootings and suspicious deaths. BSO's Crime Scene Unit covers all BSO districts and also serves most Broward County municipalities as well as federal and state agencies throughout the tri-county area. Members of the Crime Scene Unit provide forensic training to numerous police institutes in the area and are recognized as court-declared experts in several judicial districts in various forensic fields.

Using state-of-the-art video and still photography equipment, team members record details of a scene for future investigation, analysis and preparation for court review. The unit also supervises the proper collection of evidence, latent fingerprint processing and other evidentiary duties relating to major cases. Available to respond 24/7, the unit is outfitted with high-tech investigative equipment including the largest forensic argon-ion laser in the southeast United States used for locating fingerprints and other crucial evidence.

Each detective is issued an identical crime scene van fully equipped with the latest Nikon photography equipment, video camcorders, evidence detection/collection equipment as well as level B biohazardous protection gear including three different types of respirators. Recognized for performing one of the most hazardous jobs in law enforcement, crime scene personnel are closely monitored through semi-annual medical testing for their safety.

A new fully equipped 40-ft Mobile Crime Scene Laboratory / command center, including generators and on-board cellular and fax communication, allows continuous operation for several days at a single location. The Mobile Crime Laboratory, designed and manufactured at the direction of members of the unit, is one of the largest mobile crime scene response units in the United States. The Crime Scene Unit has an in-house photo laboratory which provides services not only to BSO but to numerous police and fire departments as well as the State Attorney's Office and the Public Defender's Office. Court-accepted digital enhancements of latent fingerprints using the MoreHits system are available through the unit's Digital Laboratory.

The BSO's Crime Scene Unit is the designated a Region 7 Weapons of Mass Destruction Forensic Response Team.

Training for the crime scene detectives is extensive. Detectives must complete a minimum of one year of training in addition to participating in other seminars and educational opportunities. The core training for a new detective is typically over 1,000 hours.

Crime Laboratory

BSO's Crime Laboratory works in tandem with the Crime Scene Unit and all police agencies in Broward County to analyze and process evidence collected at a crime scene. The Royal Bahamas Police Force has also called upon the unit to review and analyze DNA evidence. The Crime Lab is divided into five areas of forensic expertise:

Analytical Section

The Chemistry Unit identifies controlled substances in seized drugs and narcotics utilizing Gas Chromatograph/Mass Spectrometers (GC/MS), a gas chromatograph/Fourier transform-infrared spectrometer and an ultraviolet spectrophotometer. The Trace Analysis Unit deals with the analysis of evidence such as paints, fibers, headlamp filaments, fracture patterns, and tear patterns. This type of evidence is often microscopic in size. The section is equipped with sophisticated analytical instrumentation including a pyrolysis-gas chromatograph, a Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer Microscope, a Visible Light Microspectrophotometer, and a Polarized Light Comparison Microscope. Fire debris evidence is analyzed by GC/MS.

Serology/DNA

Identifies and analyzes body fluid evidence and prepares DNA profiles for matching to local, state and national databases. The section features state of the art equipment that includes: a robot for DNA extraction and purification; and an automated DNA quantifier; and four genetic analyzers used for separating the DNA fragments and obtaining profiles.

Forensic Identification

Handles firearms, tool marks, audio/visual analysis and questioned documents. The Firearms Unit deals with analyses involving the comparison of projectiles and cartridge cases found at a scene to submitted firearms. Tool mark analysis associates striations left by a tool with a suspect tool. The Audio/Video Analysis Unit provides investigators and prosecutors with the best possible images and sound from evidentiary tapes. The Questioned Documents Unit deals with analyses concerning handwriting, typewriting and document alteration, including counterfeiting and forgeries.

Latent Print Identification

Involves the evaluation and comparison of latent prints recovered from crime scenes. The identification and elimination of latent prints associated with a crime scene is accomplished through comparisons of latent fingerprints to the rolled standards of known individuals. Non-suspect latent print cases are searched against a database of persons previously arrested through the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS).

Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS)

Classifies "ten print" cards (fingerprint cards with prints from both hands) and verifies identification. AFIS Latent Examiners evaluate and compare latent prints recovered from crime scenes with known standards. Each year, the AFIS Unit enters approximately 40,000 ten prints into a database of more than 220,000 records and 1,000 latent prints to a database of 11,000 unsolved latent records for use by all Broward County police agencies.

Specialized Units Main Page

Child Protective Investigations Section

Contractor Licensing and Fraud Unit

Marine Unit and Dive Team

Motorcycle Unit

Mounted Patrol

Regional Investigations Division

School Resource Deputy Unit

SWAT Team

Victim Services Unit

Up Close

BSO's Crime Lab uses state-of-the-art equipment and specially-trained technicians to examine, process, prepare and store evidence for use in a trial or subsequent investigation.