The Forensic Unit is an essential part of successful criminal investigations in West Valley City. The unit is staffed by civilian employees and currently consists of a Forensic Director and four Forensic Investigators available to respond at all times. Each member of the Forensic Unit has a college degree in a forensic science discipline and has obtained specialized training in documenting and processing crime scenes ranging from burglaries to homicides.
Responsibilities
Responsibilities of a Forensic Investigator include the following:
Documenting crime scenes using digital photography, digital video and computer assisted diagramming software
Processing items for latent print evidence
Casting footwear and tire impressions
Locating and presumptively testing biological fluids
Documenting blood spatter patterns and bullet trajectory
Collecting and preserving samples for DNA testing
Presumptive drug testing and Marijuana Leaf Identification
Collecting fingerprints from individuals using a LiveScan System
Entering and searching latent prints through the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS)
Comparing and Identifying developed latent prints to known ten print records