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Crime Scene Unit ? CSU
Mission Statement
The Sheriff's Office' Crime Scene Unit is committed to providing the most current, the most efficient, and the most qualitative forensic support service available.
Crime Scene Unit - CSU
Departmentally referred to as the CSU, this Unit acts as primary support for the criminal investigations branch of the Harris County Sheriff's Office. The Crime Scene Unit is responsibile for evidence collection and photographing crime scenes.
Crime Scene Investigators (CSI's) make up the investigative section of the CSU, which is located in downtown Houston at 1301 Franklin Street. The CSU also maintains two vehicle-processing facilities located at 601 Lockwood and 410 Fisher Road.
The Sheriff's CSU provides the following investigative support services:
- Detection, preservation, processing, and collection of physical and scientific evidence recovered on crime scenes.
- Expert courtroom testimony in the field of fingerprint identification.
- Full service Forensic Imaging Laboratory.
- Latent Fingerprint Laboratory for the identification and processing of fingerprint evidence.
- Detailed crime scene drawings for courtroom presentations.
- Case file maintenance of fingerprints found on items of crime scene evidence submitted to the CSU Laboratory for analysis.
Crime Scene Investigators ? CSI's
Crime Scene Investigators are highly trained forensic evidence technicians who are specifically trained in the detection, collection, processing, and preservation of forensic evidence recovered in connection with and/or on crime scenes. Investigators are commonly referred to as CSI's. CSI candidates are veteran and experienced Deputy Sheriff's who have been selected by an interview board comprised of veteran Crime Scene Investigators and CSU Supervisors.
Once selected, the CSI candidates are put through a rigorous and intensive training cycle that demands in excess of 1,000 hours of specialty training in the field of forensic sciences. The average CSI requires 3-5 years of special training before they become fully certified. By the time these Investigators complete their training, and obtain the level of experience to classify them as experts, they have committed to remain with the CSU until they become eligible to retire from service. Collectively, the Sheriff's CSU presently has over 174 years of crime scene investigative experience working within the Unit.
 Latent Fingerprint Laboratory ? Latent lab
The Latent Fingerprint Laboratory is responsible for the development and processing of items submitted to the laboratory for forensic analysis and that may contain suspect latent fingerprints recovered from a crime scene. All evidentiary items submitted to the Laboratory are carefully examined for the presence of forensic evidence. Fingerprints developed are entered into the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) computer database for comparison to the millions of known suspect fingerprints on file. When a possible match is identified, the fingerprints are meticulously examined and compared by a certified expert in an effort to confirm the match and make the positive identification.
A positive identification often times can unequivocally place a suspect at the scene of a crime leading to the successful prosecution and ultimate conviction of the criminal offender. Conversely, latent fingerprints can also be used to assist investigators in eliminating possible suspects and/or validating a particular persons alibi and/or presence at another location.
 Forensic Imaging Laboratory ? FIL
The Forensic Imaging laboratory (FIL) was once referred to as simply being the Photography Laboratory. However, in today's modern and technologically advanced world, the art of police photography is no longer considered simple. As with the entire forensic science industry, the field of police photography has also advanced rapidly. With the advent of digital cameras and video and computer imaging, the Sheriff's Forensic Imaging Laboratory remains vigilant in its commitment to stay current with all new technologies.
The FIL is responsible for the processing, printing, documentation and secure retention of all forensic images submitted to the Laboratory by Sheriff's Crime Scene Investigators, Detectives, Patrol Deputies, and/or other law enforcement authorities. The Laboratory Technician receives these evidentiary images and prepares them for appropriate follow up investigation by the Detective Bureau, courtroom presentations by Prosecutors, and the safe and secure retention of the evidence for future action as necessary.
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