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CSI Crime Lab

The Crime Scene Investigations (C.S.I) Unit is an integral part of the Criminal Investigations Division.  C.S.I. is responsible for the collection of physical evidence through photography, physical crime scene search, recovery of latent fingerprints, sketching, the collection of physical evidence and expert testimony in criminal court proceedings.

The Unit’s is comprised of sworn officers that are extremely experienced and are well qualified to handle any and all types of crimes, either conducting their analysis on their own or as part of an investigative team.

The Crime Scene Investigation Unit is on call to support criminal investigation activities throughout the City of Columbia 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. Whenever a crime occurs in the City of Columbia police officers or investigators arrive at a crime scene, secure the scene and make an assessment, and if the situation requires further support, they request the services of CSI. The CSIs will arrive “on scene” within two hours.

Much of the evidence gathering by these professionals is absolutely critical in determining the guilt or innocence of the individuals under investigation. Once collected and analyzed, the evidence gathered at crime scenes tells the story of how the crime evolved.

The CSI Unit has specialized Mobile Crime Scene vehicles, which respond to crime scenes throughout the City of Columbia. These specifically designed vehicles transport most of the equipment required to process a crime scene regardless of the nature of the crime being investigated. The Mobile Crime Scene vehicles are is capable of responding to every type of crime scence from the simplist to the most complex and are self-sufficient with exterior lighting and electrical capabilities as well as specialized equipment to examine and process evidence in the field.

Much of the work conducted by these trained individuals aids the police department in determining the guilt or innocence of those under investigation. The evidence collected at a crime scene helps investigators recreate what occurred and either supports or refutes statements, confessions and/or the beliefs of the general public.

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