Criminal Investigation Division

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A Newsletter by the City of Saco, Maine	July, 2005	Return to newsletter index

With the significant growth within our community in the City of Saco, there is an ever-increasing demand for our agency to become more versatile in our personnel as well as in our applied technologies. It needs to be emphasized that the most valuable asset in our ability as a Criminal Investigation Division is our dedication towards maintaining the fullest integrity, highest professional commitment and cooperative interaction with the citizens of our community.

The Saco Police Department's Criminal Investigation Division is always adapting to these ever-changing conditions. The investigators who comprise our Criminal Investigation Division interact with our Patrol Division as well as all other state and federal agencies covering a wide spectrum of investigations. These investigations range from conducting follow up assistance to actively and aggressively pursuing investigations in such things as sexual assaults, death's, robberies, burglaries, thefts, narcotics, prostitution and an assortment of other felonies.

Due to the increased and vast demands of these investigations being placed on our agency and our community as a whole, the Saco Police Department recently added a fourth detective. This addition will allow the Criminal Investigation Division to promote specialization, and specialized training, for separate disciplines of crimes, such as Crimes Against Persons, Narcotics Investigation, Computer Forensics and Crime Scene Investigation.

Along with the added personnel, the Criminal Investigation Division have also acquired, purchased or upgraded forensic evidence collection equipment to assist in the wide array of investigations. Added to our conventional methods and tools is one very special tool that was purchased this year. This tool is a portable forensic 'Alternate Light Source' known as a "Hand Scope" manufactured by SPEX Forensics. This tool can be used either in the Criminal Investigation Division's laboratory or in the field, at the crime scene.

A forensic light source is a crime scene investigator's and lab technician's tool for enhancing observation, photography and collection of evidence including latent fingerprints, body fluids, hair and fibers, bruises, bite marks, wound patterns, shoe and foot imprints, gun shot residues, drug traces, questioned documents, bone fragment detection, etc. The forensic light source is made up of a powerful lamp containing the ultra-violet, visible and infrared components of light. It then filters down the light into individual color bands (wavelengths) that enhance the visualization of evidence by light interaction techniques including fluorescence (evidence glows), absorption (evidence darkens), and oblique lighting (small particle evidence revealed) such as hairs and fibers.

It is this combination of these great many facets and tools within the Criminal Investigation Division that allows, and encourages, our investigators to pursue the specialized skills best suited for their individual personal strengths and personalities. This strengthens our team approach, which allows us to best serve and protect our community.