Forensics

Using Advanced Techniques to Solve Crimes

The Spartanburg Police Department Forensics Unit is responsible for documenting all aspects of a crime scene, assisting investigators in determining who committed the crime, as well as how, when, and where the crime was committed.

On the scene, forensic technicians locate, document, and collect physical evidence, using sophisticated equipment and techniques to determine the specifics of each crime. Evidence collected at the scene is tested in our onsite lab or transferred to the state lab at the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED).

Technicians also collect some types of physical evidence from victims, suspects, and witnesses, including clothing, DNA buccal swabs, fingerprints, and gunshot residue samples; our technicians also respond to autopsies, documenting and collecting items such as clothing, bullets, and fingernail scrapings recovered by the Medical Examiner.

Using the evidence they uncover, the Forensics Unit is able to coordinate with investigators to solve crimes and help bring those responsible for perpetrating them to justice.