Identification Section
The ID Section provides the department support in forensic crime scene investigation, arrest fingerprint processing, a full color photolab, and robbery surveillance. The Section also supports the Arizona Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AZAFIS) and the state mugshot system, known as ELVIS to our users. ID Section personnel also teach at the Southern Arizona Law Enforcement Training Center (SALETC), and handle the majority of the public relations photography for the department. In FY05, ID Section staff and volunteers fingerprinted 6,518 members of the public for licensing, teaching certificates, job requirements and identification.
Forensic Crime Scene Unit
This unit is on duty 24/7/365, and is currently staffed by 20 Crime Scene Specialists and four Crime Scene Specialist Supervisors. All members of this unit are responsible for crime scene photography, processing and collection of latent fingerprints, and processing and collection of forensic evidence (blood, semen, hairs, fibers, etc.). In Fiscal Year 2006, this unit handled 4,957 requests for forensic crime scene work, and fingerprinted 3,113 subjects on arrest charges or to determine identity.
AFIS Unit
Staffed by eight AFIS Technicians and one AFIS Technician Supervisor, this unit is responsible for the processing of all arrests made by the department. Their job is to ensure that all arrest charges and codes are correct, and input these arrests into the AZAFIS. Once an identity has been confirmed, they then submit the arrest information to the department RMS, statewide mugshot system, Department of Public Safety, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. In Fiscal Year 2006, this unit processed 24,738 arrests.
Photolab
Staffed by two Crime Scene Specialists, the photolab processes and prints all crime scene and other photographs taken by department members. In Fiscal Year 2006, this unit received and completed 6,802 requests to print case and public relations photographs, and processed 463,313 negatives, making 198,651 color prints.
Robbery Surveillance Unit
Currently staffed by one Crime Scene Specialist, the RSU is responsible for the continual maintenance of department surveillance cameras in the City of Tucson. The program has been an overwhelming success for over 38 years by taking photographs of crimes in progress. Of those suspects arrested by help of the robbery photograph, the program has a 100% conviction rate.
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