(Woodland, CA) – (April 17, 2020) – It was 10 years ago this April, when Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig implemented his vision to create a central hub to forensically examine digital evidence in order to efficiently bring evidence to court. With the increased amount of digital evidence in criminal cases, Reisig recognized the need to have a dedicated unit within the DA’s Investigations Bureau to focus on this type of forensic analysis. This was unprecedented for a DA’s Office since this type of work was usually sent out of county to be processed by forensic labs or by local police departments. When the High Tech Crimes Unit started in 2010, Yolo County was the first and only DA’s Office to have a unit like it at the time.
In the beginning, DA Reisig worked with then Chief Investigator, Pete Martin, to form the unit with a team of highly qualified investigators, innovative cutting edge equipment, and the training needed to meet modern challenges of conducting thorough forensic analyses. Almost every criminal case includes evidence from cell phones, computers, cameras, game consoles, DVRs, and smart home devices. Utilizing the skills of the unit’s highly trained forensic examiners, the High-Tech Crimes Unit provides critical evidence and testimony in cases ranging from homicide, rape, and child molestation to cases involving narcotics and larceny. Over the last 10 years the unit has processed thousands of pieces of evidence and help resolve many cases.
Yolo County Chief Investigator John Ehrk stated, “With the advent of the High Tech Crimes Unit, forensic evidence for Yolo County cases was not sent out of county and placed on a priority level against other agencies. This greatly reduced the amount of time needed for processing and allowed a timelier investigation, especially when the case was channeling through the court process.”
Also, the Yolo County District Attorney’s High Tech Crimes Unit organizes “Operation Vigilance,” an annual law enforcement operation in which compliance checks are conducted on every sex offender within Yolo County. This operation has a goal of protecting Yolo County residents by ensuring that sex offenders who live in the County are complying with all laws, as well as probation and parole directives. During this annual operation, one unique aspect is that while officers are making home visits with registered sex offenders, forensic examiners are on hand to search the offender’s computers, smartphones, and other digital storage devices to ensure registrants maintain compliance. This annual effort is a collaboration of local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to assist in keeping registrants accountable above the terms Probation and Parole already have in place.
10 years later, the DA’s High Tech Crimes Unit continues to be an invaluable resource for Yolo County as we seek justice and accountability in criminal investigations. Recently, the unit partnered with Yolo County Information Technology Department’s Global Information Services division to develop innovative software that dramatically improves officer efficiency and tracks the progress of Operation Vigilance in real time. This software is now available to our law enforcement partners at no cost to help hold sex offenders accountable for their registration requirements.
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