Captain David Seawell 

Commander

267-5559, Ext. 1236

Detectives utilize today's advanced technology to assist them in their investigations.  AVID, a powerful forensic video system, allows detectives to analyze, enhance, clarify and process important video evidence.  IAFIS, the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System, is a national fingerprint and criminal history system maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).  The IAFIS provides automated fingerprint search capabilities, latent searching capability, electronic image storage, and electronic exchange of fingerprints and responses from the largest biometric database in the world.  

Detectives assigned to this unit also work cases involving sudden snatchings, car jackings, unarmed or strong-arm robbery, fugitives from justice, and assists the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) with bank robberies or firearm investigations that occur within the city limits.

Unfortunately, not all incidents can be assigned to be investigated.  Cases are reviewed by supervisors who assign them to detectives based on solvability factors including, among others, the presence of physical evidence and if there are any eyewitnesses to the incident.  Detectives often specialize in one or more particular fields, and are assigned cases based on their area of expertise.  During the course of working a case, a detective may conduct follow-up interviews with victims, witnesses and suspects; process evidence from the crime scene; scour various financial or legal records; track down additional witnesses; conduct surveillance; request and execute search warrants; and arrest suspects.  Investigators commonly appear in court proceedings such as preliminary hearings, trials, and parole revocation hearings.   Sometimes information from confidential informants will aid in a case being solved.  Tipsters can leave information anonymously on the department's Silent Witness Hotline at 267-5516 or by sending an e-mail message.

Back to Police Operations