Investigations Division

Criminal investigators are responsible for investigating crimes throughout the county, along with vice investigators who specialize in narcotics and street crimes. Investigators interview complainants, witnesses, victims of crime, officers and deputies who were at the scene, and suspects to obtain information, clues, and evidence. They arrest and assist in the arrests of suspects. Much time is spent preparing cases and testifying before the various courts and grand juries to help convict suspected criminals. 

Three investigators are also evidence technicians responsible for responding to crime scenes for discovering evidence. They conduct crime scene photography, develop latent fingerprints, sketch scenes, cast techniques, and carry out evidence collection. Evidence technicians are also responsible for the storage of evidence and records associated with the evidence. They also transport all appropriate evidence to the State Forensic Laboratory in Roanoke, Virginia, and are liaisons between the laboratory and the Sheriff's Office.