INVESTIGATIVE SUPPORT DIVISION (ISD)

The Ascension Parish Investigative Support Division is charged with collecting, extracting, summarizing, analyzing and disseminating criminal intelligence data gathered from a variety of sources. Processing this data is critical to the department's assault on crime within Ascension Parish and the state of Louisiana and is accomplished through connections with other local, State, and Federal Intelligence Units.

Housed within the Investigative Support Division are the Sheriff's Office Forensic Computer/ Cell Phone Laboratory (FCL), Forensic Video/ Image Analysis and Crime Scene Unit.

FORENSIC COMPUTER/ CELL PHONE LABORATORY

The Forensic Computer Laboratory is dedicated to the recognition, collection, preservation and analysis of digital evidence. Digital forensic examination services are provided to assist in investigating crimes and incidents to include: homicides, child pornography, missing persons, identity theft, cyber stalking, financial crimes, narcotics, auto theft, burglary and many more. The FCL processes digital evidence found on computers, cell phones, PDA's, and a variety of digital media such as CDs and DVDs, USB drives, compact flash cards, digital cameras, digital video capture devices, and more.

FORENSIC VIDEO/ IMAGE ANALYSIS

The forensic video analyst ensures the proper collection of analogue and digital evidence in accordance with Louisiana state laws and to meet acceptable practices of the forensic video analysis community.

Forensic video analysis is the scientific examination, comparison and/or evaluation of video in legal matters.

Common techniques that are required of forensic video analysts include:

1. Reliably digitize video tape footage onto a computer system. (This is commonly done via Non-Linear Editor (NLE) software.)
2. Be able to demultiplex or separate camera views from multiplexed CCTV footage.

3. Convert digital video from DVR (Digital Video Recorder) devices into digital video formats usable for forensic analysis.

4. Perform clarification techniques such as frame averaging.
5. Highlight someone or something of interest in the video.
6. Enlarge portions of the video for areas of interest.

CRIME SCENE UNIT

In addition the Crime Scene Unit (CSU) provides support services in the form of crime scene processing. This unit is responsible for detecting, collecting, preserving, and transporting evidence from the crime scene. The types of evidence include latent prints, hair, fibers, tool marks, blood splatters and instruments used in the commission of the crime.

If you would like to contact ISD or supply information about crimes or illegal activity phone 225-621-8379 or email Lt. Gerald Whealton.

Investigative Support Division: