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The York
County Sheriff’s Office has five Deputies who are graduates of the Virginia
Forensic Science Academy. There is one Academy graduate assigned to the
Investigations Major Crimes Unit. The Forensic Academy graduate performs
regular law enforcement or Investigator duties as well as serves in the
capacity of a Forensic Technician at major crime scenes. A York County
Forensic Technician is available to assist Deputies and Investigators on any
crime scene 24 hours a day. The Forensic Technician routinely responds to
complex crime scenes involving deaths related to un expected, un-natural,
and suspicious deaths, recovery of biological fluids, fingerprints, tool
marks, shoe/tire impressions, blood spatter analysis or when scenes need to
be documented photographically.
York County
Sheriff’s Office Forensic Technicians attended the Virginia Forensic Science
Academy sponsored by the Virginia Division of Forensic Science and approved
by the Department of Criminal Justice Services. The Forensic Science Academy
trains ten law enforcement officers in one of two academy classes each year.
The Forensic Science Academy is a ten weeks resident course conducted in
Richmond, Virginia and has a waiting list of one to three years. Forensic
Academy students receive training in crime scene photography, crime scene
sketching, basic and advanced fingerprint processing, trace evidence (Hairs,
Fibers, Glass, Paint, etc.) identification, collection and packaging, blood
spatter analysis, arson/fire investigations, DNA testing, analysis and
interpretation, use of the alternate light source, collection of blood and
other biological fluids, collection and documentation of tool marks, sexual
assault investigations and legal issues involved in crime scene searches and
seizures. Forensic Academy students also receive extensive training in death
investigations. Members from all disciplines of the Forensic Sciences
present material and case studies so graduates have a complete knowledge and
understanding of the capabilities of the Virginia Division of Forensic
Science Laboratories. Academy Graduates act as liaison between their
respective agencies and the Division of Forensic Science. Selection for
attendance to the Virginia Forensic Science Academy involves an application,
testing and interview process through the Division of Forensic Science.
Prior to graduation from the Forensic Academy students must pass an
extensive written examination followed by a crime scene practical exercise
demonstrating knowledge and ability in all areas of study. Forensic Academy
graduates attend an additional 5 days of re-training annually.
York County
Sheriff's Office Forensic Technicians have received specialized training in
other areas such as mass casualty incidents, recovery and evacuation of
human remains, latent fingerprint classification and identification,
homicide investigations, arson investigations, sexual assault investigations
as well as other crime scene related courses. York County Sheriff's Office
Forensic Technicians hold memberships in a number of professional
organizations to stay up to date on the latest information in the field of
evidence identification, collection, processing and preservation.
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