Crime Scene Technicians

The New Braunfels Police Department has two Crime Scene Technicians that work in conjunction with the NBPD Patrol Division and the NBPD Criminal Investigations Division.  Working in shifts and on-call, these two technicians are able to respond to crime scenes nearly 24-hours a day, 7-days a week.

Similar to what you see on TV, NBPD Crime Scene Technicians are responsible for collecting evidence from crime scenes, including:

• Photographs - Using digital photography, the technician photographs the entire scene including long-range, mid-range, and close-up photos.  This also includes 360-degree photos around the exterior of the scene.
• Fingerprints - Using brushes, powders, tape, and other materials, the technician collects partial and full fingerprint evidence throughout the crime scene.
• Blood and DNA evidence - Using sterile cotton-tipped swabs, the technician collects blood and DNA-related evidence throughout the crime scene (including hair, sweat, saliva, and other bodily fluids).
• Trace evidence - Using tape, tweezers, and other various tools, the technician collects trace evidence from throughout the crime scene, including fibers, dirt, and footprints. 

The NBPD Crime Scene Unit works in conjunction with patrol officers and detectives in the CID (or Criminal Investigations Division), and actually runs the crime scene during the initial part of an investigation.  Then, once evidence has been collected, the Crime Scene Technician is responsible for processing that evidence in the lab back at NBPD Headquarters.  The Crime Scene Unit also assists SWAT, CID, and the Street Crimes Unit in executing search warrants.  And the Crime Scene Technicians work with NBPD’s Crime Victim Liaisons documenting the injuries sustained by victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.