September 17-23, 2023, is recognized as Forensic Science Week throughout the United States. This annual celebration shines a spotlight on the invaluable contributions forensic science professionals make in the field of law enforcement. The Grand Junction Police Department (GJPD) is privileged to have several members of its organization which are a part of the forensic community. These highly trained professionals perform a wide variety of tasks including responding to crime scenes to process and collect evidence, maintaining the integrity of evidence submitted, and performing analysis on controlled substances, digital evidence, serology, and latent prints. These individuals usually work behind the scenes, and their expertise has helped and will continue to provide expert product to assist in the investigations of criminal activity. The importance of forensic science is multifaceted and extends to various aspects of law enforcement, the justice system, and public safety. Here are some ways the Grand Junction Police Department’s forensic science professionals serve the Western Slope:
- Grand Junction Police evidence technicians are currently in charge of all items of evidence submitted to the GJPD, averaging approximately 1,650 new items submitted monthly.
- Grand Junction Police evidence technicians are tasked with keeping track of all body-worn camera footage and other digital evidence, totaling over 404,000 items.
- In the past 20 years, the GJPD evidence submission rate has increased by 150%. The oldest case is from 1964.
- Most GJPD evidence technicians are Certified Evidence Specialists through the International Association of Property and Evidence, with its newest team member being certified later this year.
- Grand Junction Police chemists have processed over 12,000 pieces of evidence for the presence of chemical substances in the past five years. GJPD chemists are the longest-tenured chemists stationed at the Colorado Bureau of Investigations (to include the Denver, Pueblo, and Northern Lab offices). They currently handle all casework involving chemical substances throughout the Western Slope, in addition to assisting with serology and digital evidence.
- In 2022, the Grand Junction Police Digital Lab processed approximately 40 TB of information.
The Grand Junction Police Department is proud to recognize Forensic Science Week and to acknowledge the critical importance these professionals play in the Grand Junction community.
