Page 18 - WCSO 2017 Annual Report

ANATOMY OF A CRIME

FORENSICS: FUTURE IS NOW CASE STUDY : FORENSIC EVIDENCE LEADS TO CONVICTION

Forensic science is one of the fastest growing areas of law enforcement.

Advances in scientific technology have helped law enforcement go high- Man discovers
tech in solving crimes. Patrol deputies graffiti on his
dispatched to fence and is
The WCSO Forensic Science Unit works alongside deputies and detectives to disturbance confronted by
gather evidence crucial to solve some of the most complex crimes. Through with weapon subject with a
knife
the use of lasers, computers, and chemicals, evidence previously undetected call
is now discovered.
Forensics
Forensic Technicians are trained to identify and collect evidence at crime find traces
scenes. This evidence is then transported back to the Forensic’s lab where it of ignitable
can be examined by Forensic Analysts for additional leads. liquids
Physical throughout
Members of the Forensic Science Unit can deploy to support any of the 11 evidence is house and a
Washington County police agencies to assist in their investigations. collected from lighter
the home
including the
knife used in Subject
WCSO charged with
the attack
OREGON’S ONLY
Assault II and
DUAL CERTIFIED CRIME LAB Attempt Arson I

Certifications identify On November 3, 2016, patrol deputies were dispatched to
qualified individuals a disturbance with a weapon call at a Beaverton residence.

who can provide When they arrived, it was apparent an altercation had occurred
essential professional 1 between two men.
forensic services.

Individuals may CRIME SCENE Through the course of the investigation, patrol deputies and the
be certified in the INVESTIGATOR Interagency Gang Enforcement Team (IGET) identified the likely
aggressor in the fight.
profession of forensic
identification, 3 3 Forensics, with the help of the Fire Marshal, found traces of
investigation and the ignitable liquids throughout the house and grounds around the
scientific examination house, along with a lighter, proving attempted arson. They also
of physical evidence. LATENT PRINT CRIME SCENE collected the physical evidence from the scene, including the
EXAMINERS ANALYSTS
WCSO is currently the knife used in the attack to be presented in court.
only lab in the state Thanks to the work of all the teams on this case, the subject was
with dual certification of charged with Assault II and Attempted Arson I among other
Latent Prints and Crime charges.

Scene Analysts.

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