The Crime Scene Unit is responsible for the collection, packaging, and processing of all major crime scenes in the City of Hampton. The Crime Scene Unit responds to unnatural deaths, whether homicide or suicide, all rapes, most maiming complaints and business robberies. The Crime Scene Unit also assists Uniform Patrol with the processing of burglaries, fatality accidents, arson cases, and mass fatalities. The members of the Crime Scene Unit are also responsible for training Uniform Patrol in various areas of Crime Scene work.

Crime Scene Specialists use a variety of scientific disciplines to ensure that evidence is properly collected, packaged, and processed for later analysis. These disciplines include, but are not limited to: Photography, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Entomology, Botany, Archeology, Odentology, and Epidemiology just to name a few.

The Crime Scene Unit is comprised of a Unit Commander, a Detective Sergeant, a Master Forensic Specialist, a Forensic Computer Examiner, three Senior Forensic Specialists, and five Forensic Specialists. The current compliment of the Crime Scene Unit includes two graduates from the prestigious Virginia Forensic Science Academy and one certified International Association of Identification latent print examiner; there are only 700 of these examiners in the world. The Crime Scene Unit also has the capability to conduct forensic examinations of computers and related electronic storage devices.

Members of the Crime Scene Unit have many tools at their disposal in an effort to identify suspects in criminal matters. Crime Scene Specialists use photography, physical, chemical and electrical processing techniques to obtain latent fingerprints. They also use computers to assist in the identification of suspects. Examples of this would include the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS), and the computer-generated suspect composite program. Crime Scene Specialists employ the use of 35 mm digital SLR photography.

Crime Scene Specialists work hand in hand with not only the Police Division, but with outside agencies as well. They frequently have to provide sworn testimony to various courts in this jurisdiction. They work closely with the Commonwealth Attorney's Office as well as the City Attorney's Office. They also work closely with surrounding jurisdiction's Crime Scene Units and their respective Detectives.

Should you have any further questions, please feel free to contact the Crime Scene Unit Supervisor at (757) 727-6566.