Crime Laboratory Division

The Crime Laboratory Division is supervised by Director Lindsey Richards. Director Richards oversees the day to day operations of the Sheriff’s Crime Laboratory Division and Evidence Unit. The Crime Laboratory Division staff is multi-disciplined and currently offers several crime scene and forensic laboratory services.

Crime Scene (CSI)

The Crime Scene Investigation Unit is responsible for documenting all scenes that the unit responds to. Scenes handled by the CSI unit include: death investigations, robbery, arson, sexual assault, fraud, larceny from motor vehicles, breaking and entering and many more. The CSI unit is equipped with a forensic lab housed in the Administration Building where technicians have the ability to perform advanced forensic processing techniques. The CSI unit utilizes chemical and powder processing for prints discovered on a variety of surfaces; alternate light sources to locate biological and trace evidence; detect blood on multiple surfaces, as well as presumptive testing (blood, semen, GSR and lead).

Digital Forensics Unit

The Digital Forensics Section is responsible for processing all digital evidence collected from a crime scene. Analysts utilize advanced forensic software and tools to access cellular phones, computers, tablets, digital media and other forms of digital devices in order to search for evidence of a crime. The field of digital forensics is constantly changing and evolving with new technologies and techniques.

Latent Print Unit

The Latent Print Unit is responsible for processing fingerprint evidence collected from a crime scene. The latent examiners have access to various chemicals, powders and equipment to aid in developing fingerprints on a multitude of surfaces. Latent examiners utilize advanced software to compare prints found at crime scenes to known fingerprints in local and national fingerprint databases. UCSO latent examiners are highly trained and tested for competency and proficiency annually.

Chemistry Section

The UCSO Chemistry section is responsible for testing biological samples from impaired drivers for the presence of alcohol. This testing aids the UCSO in keeping the community safe by keeping impaired drivers off the streets.

Evidence Unit

The UCSO Evidence Unit is responsible for maintaining long term custody and control of all evidence collected by UCSO personnel. The UCSO Evidence Unit utilizes a state-of-the-art section of the new Administration Building. It is a highly secured facility with 24-hour monitoring to ensure evidence integrity. Evidence technician’s intake evidence, ensure proper packaging, create vouchers, and catalogue all evidence in a methodical manner to ensure it is properly stored and easily retrievable.

UCSO Crime Lab Expansion

The UCSO Crime Lab is in the process of expanding its Forensic Chemistry section to include narcotics testing and DWI drug toxicology. These additions will greatly help the Union County community by removing these dangerous drugs and offenders off the streets.

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