Amongst the many law enforcement personnel who walk through a crime scene is a specialized group of people who find truth through science: our forensic investigators. Assisting deputies on various calls, including burglaries, overdoses, shootings and homicides, those who work in the field of forensics provide valuable skills to help solve crimes and bring closure to families. Pasco Sheriff’s Office is pleased to highlight our forensic services section and our agency’s different forensic science entities this National Forensic Science Week.

PSO’s Forensic Services Section consists of forensic investigators, latent print examiners and a Human Remains Detection K9. Each aspect of this section helps deputies identify subjects, solve crimes and bring closure to families. Forensic investigators assist deputies by using skills such as crime scene documentation and reconstruction, specialized photography, DNA collection and blood pattern analysis. Latent print examiners help find leads by processing, comparing and identifying collected prints through an extensive verification procedure. This specialized unit also includes K9 Diesel, a Human Remains Detection K9 and one of the only forensics-integrated K9s in the country. Additionally, many forensic investigators participate in specialty teams, including the Missing & Abducted Children Team, Critical Incident Stress Management Team and the Underwater Recovery Team.

Florida’s Forensic Institute for Research, Security and Tactics, or F1RST, is a world-class training and research facility that PSO established to drive innovative and proactive approaches to policing. F1RST researches various topics, one of which is forensic anthropology. The facilities at F1RST provide ideal environments for forensic investigators and other practitioners to develop new methods and strategies for critical steps in the investigative process. The knowledge and skills gained through F1RST are then applied to actual cases, increasing public safety and bringing closure to families. F1RST also includes an in-house forensic anthropologist, who often joins PSO investigators on cases to identify discovered human remains.

PSO forensic investigators proudly pass their knowledge to the next generation through the Explorer Post 916: Forensic Branch. This exciting program is for those aged 14-21 to explore how science-based initiatives help law enforcement and our community. Participants in the program learn from experienced PSO forensic investigators about crime scene documentation, fingerprinting and forensic tools. Members of the program earn some of the same certificates as our forensic investigators, providing Explorers with first-hand experience training like Forensic Investigators. Forensic Explorers also can participate in volunteer opportunities to give back to their community. To learn more about this program, visit PascoExplorersPascoSheriff.com.

College students interested in advancing their education and gaining experience in the forensic field can apply for PSO’s forensic internship. Similar to our Forensic Explorers, our interns learn about the various methodologies forensic investigators use to analyze and document crime scenes and collect and examine valuable evidence. F1RST also offers internship opportunities, focusing on the equipment and techniques forensic anthropologists use in the field. These interns participate in a mock field recovery at the F1RST forensic field, collecting weather, soil, and vegetation data. They also conducted a forensic archaeological dig to recover plastic skeleton remains. Students interested in applying for our internship program can learn more at JoinPSO.com.

Forensic science is an exceptional asset to protecting our citizens. The unique skills and expertise forensic investigators and anthropologists bring to a case help deputies solve crimes faster and provide much-needed answers to those affected by crime. PSO is grateful to our forensic members and proud to provide opportunities for others to learn more about this essential specialization.