Investigations

The Criminal Investigations Division (CID) comprises four main Units: Investigations, Drugs, City County Bureau of Investigations (CCBI) and Domestic Violence. 

The Investigations Division is responsible for conducting investigations for specific types of incidents.  During the process of an investigation, the investigator will gather evidence and record statements from victims, witnesses, and alleged suspects. The information is compiled into a detailed report of findings, commonly referred to as a case file. 

Investigators prepare these case files for the District Attorney's Office to assist in the prosecution of the case in court. Investigators work closely with other agencies to solve crime, share information and intelligence, and assist in the apprehension of wanted persons. 

Each of our detectives has undergone specialized training in homicide investigations, arson, fraud, white collar crimes, gang crimes, child abuse, sexual assaults, property crimes and interviewing techniques.

Our criminal investigators have the knowledge and expertise to investigate all crimes to include:

• Major Crimes Investigators are assigned to investigate Homicide, Death Investigation, Robbery, Felony Assaults, and Kidnappings. 
• Persons Crimes Investigators are assigned to investigate Rape, Sexual Assaults, Child Sexual Abuse, Missing Persons, Runaway Juveniles, Felony Domestic Violence, and Sex Offender Registry. 
• Property Crimes Investigators are assigned to investigate Burglary, Larceny, and Auto Theft. 
• Financial Crime Investigators are assigned to investigate Identity Theft, Credit Card Fraud, and Felony Fraud Violations.

Drug Unit

Working closely with our local, state and federal agencies, your Drug Unit works continuously to investigate, disrupt, and interdict those who seek to engage in the illicit use and trade of illegal drugs and prescription medication.

They are responsible for investigations of cases involving the use, possession, sale, manufacture, and transportation of controlled substances.

Other responsibilities include disposal of controlled substances, providing education about controlled substances to schools, directing all financial and asset seizure/forfeitures relative to narcotic activities, and participating in the multi-agency Narcotic Task Force.

More information on specific types of controlled substances can be found by clicking on the following links: 

• Pill identifier provided by Drugs.com
• Narcotics identifier provided by TheGoodDrugsGuide.com

City County Bureau of Investigations 

As part of the CCBI Unit, crime scene investigators respond to calls for crime scene services as quickly as good judgment and safety allow, ensuring that all issued equipment is available and in a ready-to-use condition at all times. 

Investigators process scenes of major crimes at any hour of the day or night, under any weather conditions, systematically surveying the area and formulating a plan of procedure. Physically secures crime scenes (using ropes, barricades, police personnel, etc.) before conducting a search for all objects and articles that may be evidence. The crime scene investigator must also be proficient in "reading" and reconstructing the events as they happened just prior to, during and shortly following the commission of the crime in order to determine the sequence of events and to ascertain the type and location of evidence. Gives advice and direction to case investigators in crime scene and evidentiary matters.

Any evidence identified is carefully collected and properly packaged. This function includes efficient lifting and preserving of various types of evidence. The crime scene investigator is aware of the types of packaging to use as the improper selection of such material could render the evidence useless.

The crime scene investigator establishes a permanent record describing the crime scene by writing detailed reports, preparing accurate sketches and diagrams, and by applying professional photographic techniques. This requires not only the skill to write a detailed report but also the ability to observe minute details of the scene as they relate to the crime and their meaning in relation to the evidence.

They assist criminal justice officials in preparing criminal cases, in person and by providing reports, sketches, and photographs. They also give expert testimony in criminal court cases; this testimony must not only follow the rules of evidence but must also be able to explain, in laymen's terms to a jury the significance of the evidence as it relates to scientific proof. Furthermore they maintain an in-depth knowledge of federal and state statutes, court cases related to work performed and agency rules and regulations.

Domestic Violence

Your Sheriff's Office takes domestic violence very seriously. Our dedicated domestic violence unit works in conjunction with county partners such as Social Services, Safe Space and NCCADV to educate and reduce incidents of domestic violence within our county.

In North Carolina:

• Domestic Violence is the leading cause of injury to women.
• 60 percent of children living in violent homes become batterers as adults.

The Franklin County Sheriff's Office Domestic Violence Unit is part of the Criminal Investigations Division. The Domestic Violence Unit is responsible for:

• Investigating all domestic violence cases
• Prompting a community-wide response to domestic violence
• Working with other agencies for effective victim assistance
• Acting as a liaison for officers to answer questions involving emergencies where specialized information is required for the victim's welfare and safety

The Domestic Violence Unit investigators assists the patrol squads by providing 24hrs a day coverage for domestic violence response. Our commitment to the citizens and victims of domestic violence is strong, investigating all incidents of Domestic Violence.

What is the Domestic Violence Policy of the Franklin County Sheriff's Office?

It is the policy of the Franklin County Sheriff Office to view domestic violence as a crime which requires direct intervention and a coordinated community response. The objective of the patrol officer who responds to a domestic incident is to reduce the possibility of violence and threats towards the victim and other involved individuals, conduct a thorough on-scene investigation, and provide the victim with information enabling them to seek assistance from our community agencies.

A clear and consistent response to domestic violence can protect victims and their families from immediate danger, assist in connecting them with the resources and services that they require, and communicate the message that domestic violence is unacceptable in our community.