The Detective Bureau supports the Agency by investigating the most serious felony crimes against persons and property. The Bureau is also responsible for collecting, submitting, processing, and storing evidence; fingerprint identification and conducting special investigations, such as cargo thefts.
The Detective Bureau is comprised of the Major Crimes Unit, Evidence, Latent Print Unit, Cargo Theft Unit, and the Sexual Offender/Predator Unit.
Major Crimes Unit
Detectives in the Major Crimes Unit investigate robberies, homicides, sexual assaults, home invasions, crimes against children, the elderly and equivocal deaths. Investigators also secure and execute search warrants and arrest warrants. In 2006, 835cases were assigned to investigators with a closure rate of 98%.
The Unit works with outside agencies such as the Medical Examiner’s Office, Children’s Advocacy Center, Children & Family Services, FDLE, FBI, Fire Marshall, State Attorney’s Office and other law enforcement agencies.
Evidence/Latent Print Unit
The Evidence Property Room Unit is responsible for all property and evidence taken into custody. The main facility and storage is at the Sheriff's main operations center. This section is equipped with lockers for depositing evidence deputies/detectives have collected. All items are processed with a bar code system. After the item is logged in and packaged, it is assigned a bar code that will be placed on the packaging and paperwork. This system enables the Property Room Technicians to keep accurate inventory and verification on all items. The Technicians also assist by preparing evidence for court, prepare items for testing at the FDLE labs and the return of items to the owner.
Crime Scene Technicians perform crime scene documentation and evidence collection. Each must be skilled in the use of a digital camera, video camera, crime scene assessment, evidence recovery, collection procedures, latent print lifting techniques, casting of tire and footprint impressions, the use of alternate light sources, chemical developing and various other procedures to process a crime scene. They are required to testify at depositions and trials on their findings.
The Latent Print Examiners’ responsibilities include the evaluation, comparison, identification and verification of latent prints that are lifted or photographed from various crime scenes. Comparisons are also conducted from standard fingerprint cards to determine the identity of a subject or the identity of an unknown deceased person. Latents of quality are entered and compared in the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS), which is a statewide database. In December 2003, the Latent Unit added a Palm Print System
(AFIX) which is a local database for palm prints. Both Examiners testify in court as expert witnesses as to their findings. The Latent Unit also maintains the adult, juvenile, elimination, deceased fingerprint files, and the latent print files. The Latent Examiners often assist other agencies surrounding Marion County.
Cargo Theft Unit
The theft of semi tractor-trailer cargo is a nationwide crime that accounts for $25 billion in lost merchandise every year. In order to combat this crime, all Florida Sheriff’s Offices have joined with the Florida Department of Transportation, Florida Highway Patrol, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, South Florida Cargo Theft Task Force (TOMCATS), Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, National Insurance Crime Bureau, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
This year the Cargo Theft Unit participated in OPERATION SANDSTORM. This multi-agency undercover operation focused on suspicious semi tractor-trailers and trucks with equipment violations that would be traveling through Marion County on I-75 and the 441/301/US27 highway corridor.
Governor Bush signed 2 bills that make altering a truck’s fifth wheel component a second degree felony and anyone caught stealing a tractor-trailer being used in a law enforcement operation will face first degree felony charges.
SOPU/MYICU
S.O.P.U. (Sex Offender/Predator Unit) provides for the monitoring and registration of sexual offenders and predators within Marion County. This unit is staffed by detectives whose primary duties are to track and register all sex offenders/predators who live in the unincorporated section of Marion County. Since the implementation of the “Jessica Lunsford Act” in December of 2005, there are new requirements imposed that require sexual offenders and predators to be more accountable for their whereabouts which mandates re-registration twice each year with their local law enforcement agency. However, M.C.S.O. monitors each predator and offender on a monthly basis with in-person verification. For more information about sexual offenders or predators in your area, please search our database: http://www.marionso.com/sexoffendersearch.php
MYICU (Marion Youth Internet Crimes Unit) was created in March 2006, and is responsible for investigating crimes against children that are perpetrated over the internet such as sexual solicitation of minors, child pornography and exposing children to harmful or obscene material. In addition, this unit has taken on the challenge of educating our children, parents, guardians and community to be more aware of the dangers the internet can pose to our children. With the assistance of our School Resource and DARE officers, we have implemented the “Netsmartz” curriculum in Marion County Schools. This curriculum provides children of all ages with skills and knowledge to keep them safe as they surf the information highway. Working with both SRO and DARE officers, MYICU maintains a presence on the internet so that area youth are able to develop positive online relationships and have an anonymous way to discuss school or personal issues with a law enforcement officer.
DCF (Department of Children and Families) Case Coordinator/Detective Reviews reports received by the Department of Children and Families to determine if they may require law enforcement investigation and/or follow-up.
- More Resources: http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/abuse/ |
