The Larimer County Sheriff’s Office Crime Lab and Evidence Unit is part of the Investigations Division and is comprised of five full-time crime scene investigators, as well as three full-time evidence technicians. In addition to in-house storing and processing of evidence, our personnel contribute two full-time lab analysts to the Northern Colorado Regional Forensic Lab. Our crime scene personnel are also part of the Critical Incident Response Team for the 8th Judicial District and are involved in the investigations of officer-involved incidents when the Critical Incident Response Team is activated.
The duties of the LCSO crime scene personnel include responding to scenes in order to document the scene, process the scene, and collect evidence. CSIs may be required and are trained to utilize specialized techniques such as bloodstain pattern analysis and shooting reconstruction techniques to reconstruct the events that may have occurred at a scene. In addition to traditional photography, members of our crime scene team are trained to use technology such as 3-D laser scanning and unmanned aerial systems to assist in accurate and detailed documentation of scenes. In-house, crime scene personnel also are trained in and utilize a variety of laboratory techniques to identify and recover fingerprints, identify potential sources of DNA, complete rapid presumptive DNA analysis, conduct forensic extractions of mobile devices, and analyze video evidence. Our two lab analysts are based out of the Northern Colorado Regional Forensic lab where they complete casework in the disciplines of digital media examination and firearms/toolmark analysis for agencies throughout Northern Colorado.
Our three full-time evidence technicians maintain detailed records and are responsible for over 20,000 pieces of physical and digital evidence. Our evidence personnel ensure that items of physical evidence are packaged and sealed properly prior to logging them into our digital database. Additionally, these individuals are responsible for coordinating the return of recovered property and fulfilling court orders for the destruction of dangerous substances and various other items. Evidence personnel also work as liaisons with the Northern Colorado Regional Forensic Lab to transport items for processing that cannot be done in-house.
