PoliceDept

Crime Laboratory

Supervisor: Sergeant Joseph Yamin
The Crime Laboratory is responsible for all forensic investigations for the department and for the identification of all prisoners. The Crime Lab oversees 16 certified Evidence Technicians, who are police officers from the Patrol Division, specially trained to photograph and collect evidence at crime scenes.

Crime Lab personnel are called to major crime scenes involving homicides, shootings, suspicious deaths and serious assaults, to directly assist in the investigation. The Crime Lab is able to analyze, compare fingerprints, and make positive identifications. Crime Lab personnel are also trained to recognize, document and collect other trace evidence such as DNA, hair, fibers and ballistics, blood spatter, complete crime scene sketches, court presentations, and provide expert testimony. In FY2020, Crime Lab personnel followed up on 1,647 cases, which required archiving photographs, processing evidence, examining fingerprints, and generating reports for each case.

The Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) is a fingerprint computer that is interfaced with the Michigan State Police criminal files and has the ability to search databases with millions of finger and palm prints, with results returning in minutes. Dearborn is one of 21 AFIS sites in the State, and the Crime Lab personnel are certified operators. During this fiscal year, 113 fingerprints/ palm prints were entered into AFIS, which resulted in 45 identifications of suspects, all of which have resulted in the continued criminal investigations. The Crime Lab also processes evidence, provides fingerprint identification for other agencies, including: Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, Dearborn Heights, Wayne, Belleville, Inkster, Romulus, Taylor, Huron Township and Melvindale. The US Secret Service, ATF, and DEA have also requested the Crime Lab’s assistance in several of its cases. AFIS inquiries and expert testimony are provided to these agencies when needed.

Crime Lab personnel receive and process all firearms that are confiscated, surrendered, or held as evidence. In FY2020, two hundred thirty-six firearms were received and each gun was inspected; and, if needed, the serial number is raised to assist with identification. Lab Detectives also assist the Records Bureau in identifying vintage firearms for registration purposes. Personnel are also trained in shooting reconstruction and bloodstain analysis. These skills are invaluable at crime scenes where evidence can be easily destroyed, lost or overlooked.

Crime Laboratory
313-943-2255

Detective Bureau

Officer in Charge: Lieutenant Brian Kapanowski

The Detective Bureau is the investigative arm of the police department. All preliminary complaint reports believed to be criminal in nature are referred to the Detective Bureau for review and evaluation. Once reviewed, each case requiring further police attention or investigation is assigned to a specific investigator depending upon the nature of the crime. In FY2020, the Detective Bureau investigated a total of 2,323 cases.

Investigators complete a variety of different tasks for cases, such as interviewing witnesses, interrogating suspects, and compiling necessary supplemental investigatory reports that are needed to document the investigation. Finally, a case may require submission of search and arrest warrant requests, and preparation for the case in court. If needed, the Detective Bureau also provides investigative/intelligence support to other law enforcement agencies. The responsibility for each case assignment ends only upon a final determination by the courts, or when a reasonable solution to the case has been attained.

Detective Bureau
313-943-2255

Domestic Violence Unit

The Domestic Violence Unit (DVU) currently has specially trained investigators assigned to handle family violence incidents in our city. This increasingly complicated area of law enforcement includes not only assaults, but also any criminal incident related to domestic violence, such as threats, stalking, and violations of Personal Protection Orders. This fiscal year, approximately 248 intimate partner domestic-related assault cases were assigned and reviewed by police investigators. Warrants are reviewed by the Wayne County Prosecutor Domestic Violence Unit.

The DVU is assisted, Monday – Friday, by an on-site Victim’s Advocate provided through FirstStep, a Wayne County domestic and sexual assault program funded by the Victims of Crime Act and other donations.

FirstStep (Sexual Assault & Domestic Violence)
Hotline: 734-722-6800
4400 S. Venoy Rd., Wayne, MI
firststep-mi.org

Dearborn Police Department
Domestic Violence Unit
313-943-2255

Emergency Management Division

The Emergency Management Division is currently staffed with one, full-time, emergency management coordinator from the fire department and is assisted by a deputy emergency management coordinator from the police department. The Emergency Management Division is responsible for the following services:

• Development of Emergency Action Guidelines
• Operation of the Emergency Operations Center
• Disaster Planning
• Special Event Planning
• Incident Management
• Liaison to State and Local Groups
• Emergency Response Exercises

The Emergency Management Division works closely with all city departments, schools, and private sector partners to ensure collaborative preparation, planning, and response to any disaster or emergency situation.

City of Dearborn’s Emergency Management Page
Emergency Management Division
313-943-2255