Georgia Bureau of Investigation annual report 1997

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

GEORGIA BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

ANNUAL REpORT
FY97

SUBJECT

I.

DEDICATION

II. DIRECTOR'S ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS III. HISTORY IV. ORGANIZATIONAL CHART V. BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY RECOGNITION

PAGE NUMBER
1 3 4-7 8-9 10

VI. ADMINISTRATIVE SECTION ORGANIZATIONAL CHART FINANCE PERSONNEL STAFF SERVICES PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE OF PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS LEGAL SERVICES
VII. INVESTIGATIVE DIVISION ORGANIZATIONAL CHART GENERAL INVESTIGATIONS MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL TASK FORCES SPECIALIZED WORK UNITS
VIII. GEORGIA CRIME INFORMATION CENTER ORGANIZATIONAL CHART AUTOMATED FINGERPRINT IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM (AFIS) COMPUTER SERVICES
RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
AUDIT PROGRAM GEORGIA FIREARMS PROGRAM IX. DIVISION OF FORENSIC SCIENCES ORGANIZATIONAL CHART PRODUCTIVITY
CASE PROCESSING & RE-ENGINEERING
DOFS QUALITY TEAM PATHOLOGY STATE'S COALITION LOOKING AHEAD X. OLYMPIC TRIBUTE

11-16
13 14 14 15 15-16 16 16
17-32
19 20-23 23-27 28-32
33-44
35 36-38
38-39 39-40 40-41 42-44
45-54
47 48-50 51 52 53 54 54
55-56

rrFie 1997 annua{report is dedicatedin lionor oftlie more tlian 100 spectators and raw enforcement officers injuredin tlie JuCy 27tli ex.p{osion in Centennia{OCympic CParft during tlie 1996 Summer OCympic qames. }l
specia{dedication is offeredin memory oftlie two OCympic visitors Rjlfedin tliat 6rast.
fJ'lie impromptu memoria{was raidfCower-6y-f{ower as Ofympic visitors and mourners paid tlieir respects andsliowedtlieir support ofa spirit untetliered6y sucli cowardice vio{ence

GEORGIA BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

GOVERNOR ZELL MILLER MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY CITIZENS OF THE GREAT STATE OF GEORGIA

It gives me great pleasure to submit to you the 1997 Annual Report of the Georgia Bureau ofInvestigation (GBI). The information provided to you in this report represents the fiscal year ending June 30, 1997.
This has been a momentous fiscal year, marking the GBI's 60th Anniversary in proven law enforcement excellence in the areas ofpublic safety, forensic sciences and information technologies. Over the past six decades, the evolution ofthe GBI is quite remarkable. As I look at what we were in 1937 and see where we are today, I wonder what we will become in the future.
The FY97 Annual Report provides an overview ofthe contributions each division made toward the overall goals of the GBI. FY97 was a productive year for the entire GBI due to the continued dedication and commitment of the individual employees who have devoted their lives to the pursuit ofjustice and public safety. As a result of the combined skills, talents and expertise of each employee, the GBI is one of the most revered and well respected law enforcement agencies in the country.
The GBI will continue to maintain its pledge to preserve and ensure the highest quality of life for all of the citizens of the Great State of Georgia. On behalfofthe GBI and its employees, thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,

I\l

~~LCJy-

Milton E. Nix, Jr. Director

4

Georgia Bureau of Investigation

History

What would come to be known as the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) was created in 1937by the state GeneralAssembly. Along with the Georgia State Patrol, lawmakers created the Division of Criminal Identification, Detection, Prevention and Investigation. The agency was created to assist local law enforcement agencies in fighting the growing crime problem. Since that time, thousands ofperpetrators, from common criminals and localstreet-level drug dealers to serial killers and drug czars, have been brought tojustice through the efforts of the GBI.

A milestone in Georgia law enforcement occurred in February of 1952when the Fulton County Crime Laboratory became the State Crime Laboratory andpart of the Department of Public Safety. It became the second state-wide crime laboratory in the United States. The founder and director of the Fulton County Laboratory, Dr. Herman Jones, introduced forensic laboratory work

to Georgia in the early 1940's. Dr. Jones'
Fulton Countyposition was transferred to the
state where he continued as the laboratory
director. Another turning-point for the GBloc-
curred in February of 1972 when Governor Jimmy Carter commissioned a task force to establish a masterplan to implement a Criminal Justice Information System for Georgia. Criminal activity of aI/ types was increasing dramatically across the state, and Governor Carter was convinced that more timely and accurate information would be extremely beneficialto state andlocal law enforcement agencies. On the recommendation of this task force, GovernorCarter issued an Executive Order in June of 1972, creating the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC). When GCIC began operation in 1973, as part of the GBI, it became the focal poin_~in Georgia for the col/ection, storage, rapid retrieval and dissemination of law enforcement and criminaljustice related information.

Georgia Bureau ofInvestigation
The second turning point for the GBI came on February 28, 1974, when the Georgia GeneralAssembly passed Governor Carter's proposed Executive Reorganization Act and later amendments, making the GBI an independent agency.
The Reorganization Act established the organizational framework of the GBI that still exists today. That framework consists of three divisions: the Investigative Division, the Division of Forensic Sciences and the Georgia Crime Information Center.
The role of the GBI has expanded dramatically in the past 60years. It has faced many challenges in meeting the demands of providing up-to-date investigative, forensic science and crime information services, as well as supporting Georgia's entire criminal justice system. The GBI has evolved over the pastsix decades into a highly respected law enforcement agency with extensively trained, dedicated andprofessional employees. From all of its state-of-the-art technology, scientific capabilities, sophisticated computers and more than a half century of experience, today's GBIprides itself on its most important asset - the individual employees who have dedicated their lives to public safety and serving the citizens of the State of Georgia.

6

Georgia Bureau ofInvestigation

Histon;

In 1938, Governor E.Q Rivers appointed the first director to manage the GBI and Joseph L Bray was awarded that distinguished honor. Today the GBI falls under the direction of Milton E. Nix, Jr., who is only the 14th person to serve in such an esteemed and well-respected capacity.
On this the 60th anniversary of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, a glimpse back in time reveals the renowned faces ofyesterday.
60 YEARS OF PROGRESS...

Joseph L. Bray April 1938- May 1940 March 1946 - April 1947

Arthur E. Hutchins June 1940 - March 1941

Samuel JoY. Roper March 1941-February 1943

William E. Spence February 1943 - March 1946

George T. Bagby April 1947- July 1947

Not Pictured
JoY. C. McLemore July 1947- November 1948

Georgia Bureau ofInvestigation

Delmar L. Jones November 1948 - September 1962

Bernard G. Ragsdale September 1962 - January 1971

Hugh Edward Smith January 1971-May 1972

William F. Beardsley June 1972-AprH1975

Beverly E. Ponder February 1975 - October 1980

E.p. Peters November 1980 - August 1985

J. Robert Hamrick September 1985 - August 1993

Milton E. Nix, Jr. September 1993 - Present

8

Georgia Bureau of Investigation

Organizational Chart

GEORGIA BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION ORGANIZATIONAL CHART
BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY
~r,.lllllit!~I~!i!~II~itll!;f
~/, ~~;III!I!II.I.llllttll;
PERSONNEL
I _ _ .-----;..-----1---1 FINANCE
1----1~ST-AF- F SE-RV- ICE- S
.....--:1 I PUBLIC AFFAIRS
.....--1 I LEGAL SERVICES
OFFICE OF PROFESSIONAL '----I
STANDARDS

~ - :.:.:.;.:.:.::::;:::::::::::::;:::::::::;:::::::::;::: .:.'

........;.;...;.;.;.:':.:.:.:.:.::::::::::::;:::::::::;:;:::::::::::::;:::;::::::::::::::::

VERNON M. KEENAN
DEPUTY DIRECTOR

PAUL C. HEPPNER
DEPUTY DIRECTOR

GIBSON N. HEUETT
DEPUTY DIRECTOR

Georgia Bureau ofInvestigation
GEORGIA BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION DIVISIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

o Assists the Director in estab-
lishing departmental policies) and coordinates the management of administrative) employee and new program issues
o Provides primary executive
management for all Division of Forensic Sciences operations and program management for staff inspections
o Represents the Director and
the GBI on various boards) and coordinates all grant programs

o Performs fiscal) per-
sonnel) supply) planning and tr~g) internal and public affairs functions)
and legal services.

o Upon request) provides crimi-
nal investigative assistance to local law enforcement agencies
o Combats illicit drug trade in
Georgia through specialized drug enforcement units
o Conducts special investigations
into financial crimes and public corruption

illllllllrll'
o Operates the Georgia Crimi-
nal Justice Information System (ClIS) Network
o Maintains Georgia)s repository
for all criminal history records and fingerprint files
o Contributes to the national
Uniform Crime Reporting System
o Operates Georgia's Firearms
Program
o Conducts audits of criminal
justice agencies

o Furnishes scientific sup-
port to the criminal justice system of Georgia
o Scientific specializations
include ballistics, trace evidence, drug identification) handwriting analysis) blood alcohol kyel detection) serology and DNA analysis) toxicology, pathology and latent print identification tests
CJ Provides expert testimony in court

1997
BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY
GOVERNOR ZELL MILLER
COMMISSIONER WAYNE GARNER WAYNE ABERNATHY
ROONEY L. BOWEN, III DANIEL M. BRYANT
SHERIFF DONNIE HARALSON W.H. HARPER, JR.
ROBERT E. KELLER
CHIEF HUBERT L. SMITH
CHIEF RONALD T. STRONG

ADMINISTRATIVE SECTION
42 POSITIONS
$4,857,756 BUDGET

Georgia Bureau of Investigation
GEORGIA BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION ADMINISTRATIVE SECTION

14 Georgia Bureau ofInvestigation

Administrative Section

ADMINISTRATIVE

payroll for 739 state and 40 Federal benefits; coordinating the student

.SECTION

employees, which generated 4,214 internship and apprenticeship

paychecks and 13,465 direct

programs; and overseeing the

The Administrative Section provides support services to the three divisions in the areas of fiscal management, personnel, purchasing and supply, facilities and construction management planning and training, public and internal affairs, and legal services.

deposits in FY97.
~ IBUDGET
The budget staff, comprised of a budget administrator and three analysts, manage and monitor all expenditures made by organizational units. They also developed a

employees assistance program. During FY97, the GBI had a
total of 739 employees, including those in temporary positions. This includes 42 employees in the Administration Section, 406 in the Investigative Division, 159 in the
Division of Forensic Sciences, and
132 in the Georgia Crime Informa-

budget request for FY98, which

tion Center. At the end ofthe

resulted in the appropriation of

fiscal year, there were 84 vacan-

$48,215,166 in state funds. In

CIes.

addition to state funds, this section

The office processed more than

The principal responsibility of the Finance Office is to support the three divisions of the GBI through budget development and fiscal management of all funding received by or awarded to this agency. The Finance Office is supervised by the agency's Fiscal Officer/Treasurer, and the staff is organized in two units - Account-

is responsible for administering all 700 personnel transactions, ranging

grant awards.

from new appointments, promo-

r::::::::::~~~------------ tions, transfers and

separations. In addi-

tion, the office pro-

cessed more than 150

college student intern-

ship applications and

placed approximately

80 student interns.

ing and Budget.
I I ACCOUNTING

I I GEORGIA GAIN
The Office of Personnel also was

The accounting staff, comprised of an accounting director and nine accounting positions, receive, record and disburse funds using a modified accrual system of accounting. A total of 12,254 expense checks were generated stemming from the processing of more than 16,880 Field Purchase Orders, direct payment requests and travel vouchers. The accounting staff received, recorded and deposited more than 47,036 checks for payments of services rendered by the GBI. The accounting staff is also responsible for production of

The Office of Personnel, comprised of six employees, is responsible for providing support to the three divisions of the GBI in all personnel matters. The routine responsibilities of the office include recruiting and hiring new employees; classifying positions; administering the agency's drug testing program; assisting employees with benefits such as annual and sick leave, health and dental insurance, and deferred compensation; managing the performance management process; serving as liaison for workers' compensation

responsible for ensuring the October 1996 transition of 700 plus employees from the former classification system to the new system, under Georgia Gain, went smoothly. No positions were placed in a default status. As a result, all GBI positions were linked to the new jobs established under Georgia Gain without a problem. Personnel office staff held meetings with employees at 22 sites across the state, as well as at headquarters, to discuss the new Performance Management Process and to address any questions or

Georzia Bureau ofInvestization

concerns employees had about the program.
I I LUNCH & LEARN
The office continued its "Lunch and Learn" sessions this year, which allowed employees to eat their lunch while learning about topics that are of interest to them. Sessions this year included learning about the employees retirement system, vacation travel on a budget, stress management and the savings bond program. The office also worked out a plan, allowing employees to receive flu shots at a discount price.
1996 SUMMER OLYMPIC GAMES & PARALYMPIC GAMES
With the assistance of Director Milton E. "Buddy" Nix and Personnel Director Gale Buckner, three GBI employees participated in the 1996 Paralympics Torch Run. The personnel staff provided the employees with transportation to Warm Springs, Georgia where each one carried the Paralympic Torch proudly representing the GBI. A replica of the Paralympics Torch carried by the employees is on display in the lobby of the GBI Headquarters.
During FY97, the Office of Personnel also assisted the Investigative Division following the explosion of a bomb in the Centennial Olympic Park during the July 1996 Summer Olympic Games. The bombing generated many calls to the GBI, regarding tips and concerns. As a result, the radio operators in the GBI's Communications Center needed assistance

handling the flood of calls. The

curement Section processed more

personnel staff assisted by answer- than 7,300 Field Purchase Orders,

ing the phones, and writing down maintained more than 150 agency

all tips and information.

contracts and bid out 80 requisi-

tions. The new State Purchasing

Information Network (SPIN)

system was implemented during

FY97, and staff services also

conducted planning and training

Staff Services provides a wide sessions on the new system.

variety of administrative support functions within the GBI.

I I FLEET & PROPERTY SECTION

I , FACILITIES MANAGEMENT

The Fleet and Property Section

managed the Bureau's fleet of more

Construction neared completion than 500 vehicles and in FY97

on the new NW Georgia Branch successfully reconciled the depart-

Crime Laboratory in Chattooga

mental inventory.

County by the end of FY97. The

Logistical support, such as

GBI plans to accept the facility

central supply and the mailroom

from the general contractor in

were provided to regional offices

September 1997.

and branch labs statewide. Tele-

Construction began on a new

communications management was

regional office in Statesboro.

provided, and during FY97, a

Completion date is planned for

major effort was initiated to recon-

October 1997. During FY97,

cile with DOAS the central GBI

building additions were completed telecommunications billing state-

at the regional offices in Thomson ments. Additionally, Staff Services

and Conyers. Negotiations were provided records management

started to potentially relocate

services to the department and

existing regional offices in Albany prepared all credentials.

and Thomaston during FY98.

During the FY97 General As-

sembly, the GBI obtained funds for

a new replacement branch labora-

tory in Columbus and a major

The Public Affairs Office

addition for the branch laboratory (PAO) is responsible for coordinat-

in Macon. Additionally, staff

ing the support functions of public

services maintained liaison with the information, media relations and

Georgia Building Authority in

community affairs for the GBI. In

coordinating maintenance and

addition to providing speakers to

security for the GBI Headquarters civic groups and schools, the

Complex.

Public Affairs Office issues news

I I PROCUREMENT SECTION

releases and media advisories to inform the public and the media of activities, programs, achievements

The central departmental Pro- and other items of public interest

16 Georgia Bureau of Investigation

Administrative Section

such as case updates. The Public Affairs Office is also
responsible for coordinating and conducting tours ofthe OBI Crime Lab for the Division of Forensic Sciences; composing and editing articles submitted to law enforcement publications; compiling, developing and publishing the OBI annual report and recruitment brochures; and designing all static display board presentations.
During FY97, as a result of an increased demand of public information and new projects, the GBI hired a Public Affairs Officer to assist the Director of Public Affairs. This Public Affairs Officer came from the State Olympic Law Enforcement Command, which was established by Governor Zell Miller as the coordinating agency of all state law enforcement operations for the 1996 Summer Olympic Games.
During FY97, the Public Afairs Office began preparing a GBI web site for the Internet. The web page will be on line in early FY98. The web site will feature all three divisions of the OBI as well as the Sexually Violent Offender Registry, crime statistics, wanted criminals, missing persons and unsolved cases.
For more information regarding the GBI check out the OBI Web page at www.ganet.org/gbi.
The Office of Professional Standards (OPS) is responsible for conducting internal affairs investi-

gations for the GBI. OPS personnel review and/or investigate all allegations of misconduct against the agency or its employees. All internal complaints are reviewed annually to identify patterns of misconduct and to recommend appropriate training.
During FY97, the Legal Services office handled more than 180 open records requests; provided legal instruction for in-service, new agent and supervisor training at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center in Forsyth; provided legal services in the areas of policy, new legislation, and administrative and personnel law; and conducted legal research into a variety of issues relevant to the day-to-day operation of the GBI. Additionally, legal services handled numerous subpoenas and court orders
GBI Legal Services, in cooperation with the US Department of Justice, authored the agreement between state and federal law enforcement entities for use during the 1996 Summer Olympic Games. In addition, the Legal Services office was responsible for swearing in approximately 2,000 federal officers as GBI agents for Olympic duty.
The Director of Legal Services worked in liaison with the Department of Law attorneys in approximately 11 new civil actions, involving GBI employees. During FY97, 20 cases were closed. Other areas in which Legal Services was instrumental include

passage of the new Crime Lab legislation; compliance with the Domestic Violence Act as it pertains to GBI personnel; successful resolution of two employment! immigration issues; and a State Personnel Board appeal concerning a former employee. Additionally, the Director of Legal Services served as a hearing officer in two grievance cases for the Office of State Administrative Hearings.

INVESTIGATIVE DIVISION
i III
I 406 POSITIONS I $30,054,361 BUDGET
I
I I

Georgia Bureau oJ lnvesnguLwH
GEORGIA BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION INVESTIGATIVE DIVISION

I - [t\.C"CY",RJTATION
' LMOSJrs ECrOR!'
.~;!.\.C~~.U:;:I;E:~F0.~.O~F.;.S;-1;;A~-F:.:Y--_ ,

' Ii'IIl SITNAVI FEFSSTEIGRVAI ITCIEVSEIl:I

,,'

""1

[I, STATE HEALTH CA,RE 1,1,.
\ FRAUD CONTROL UNIT !

METRO
i FUGITIVE S UAD
~ HIDTA I]

I ['jI REGION 1,
, !\1 REGIOI N 8':I
i[REGION 10 'I
111 \1 REGION

I ',Ii GAINESVILLE 'I
:1 RDEO

FINANCIAL INVESTIGATIONS UNIT

, STATEWIDE DRUG TASKFoRCE

GOVERNOR'S TASK FORCE

rl POLYGRAPH &
~ INTELLIGENCE UNITS \

[I

GSCI

il

IGULF STATES INITIATIVE "

(~I REGION 3 ,iIl
:1 REGION 4 rl " 'I REGIOI N 9 ;1 ;1 REGION 13 :1
'MIDDLE GA FUGITIVE
S UAD
SPECIAL OPERATIONS ; (SRT-EOD} :1 f MACON
II RDEO

CRIME ANALYSIS UNIT
I uNIT] TRAINING

20 Georgia Bureau of Investigation

Investigative Division

INVESTIGATNE DIVISION

CONTRABAND SEIZED
REGIONAL OFFICES & RDEOs

The Investigative Division is the largest division in the GBI and it is responsible for assisting local law enforcement agencies in the investigation of crimes committed in Georgia. The Deputy Director for Investigations supervises the division with a command staff of four inspectors. The Investigative Division has 15 regional offices, three drug enforcement offices, various specialized work units and

REGIONAL DRUG OFFiCES 40%

CRIMES AGAINST PERSONS

Deaths 21%

Sex Offenses 7%

Terroristic Threats 1%

Assaults 9%

REGIONAL OFFICES 60%
multi-jurisdictional task forces (MJTF's). In FY97 the Investigative Division had 406 positions and a total budget of$30,054,361.
Special Agents assigned to the 15 regional offices regularly assist local law enforcement and district attorneys with the investigation of major crimes such as homicide, child abuse, rape, armed robbery, theft and drug enforcement. The GBI drug enforcement offices in Gainesville, Macon and Savannah, along with the Governor's Task Force on Drug Suppression, the State Drug Task Force and 14 GBI supervised multi-jurisdictional task forces, concentrate their efforts on combating illegal drug activity. Personnel in these offices often work in conjunction with local and federal authorities.

Crime Scene 29%

19%

Georgia Bureau oflnvestlganun
During FY97, all of the work units in the Investigative Division were involved in the GBI's enormous commitment to the 1996 Summer Olympic Garnes in Atlanta and throughout the state of Georgia. Personnel were detached from their regular duty stations to various locations in and around the state to assist in keeping the Olympic Garnes safe and successful. During this time, GBI Special Agents expended a total of 60,000 hours.
Throughout the Olympic Garnes the Investigative Division continued its commitment to the state of Georgia and the local law enforcement agencies it supports by providing the best possible service. The types of investigations and the number of hours expended by the agents in the Investigative Division are illustrated in the following charts.

HOURS EXPENDED
FY97

//~~
:::140,000 -( / t:~---==

80,000
/ 60,000
40,000 20,000

ONARCoTICS
IIICRIMES AGAINST PERSONS II PROPERTY CRIMES 130THER INVESTIGATIONS

FY97
105,934
13'9,524 68,3'99 64,658

TYPES OF CRIMES

22 Georgia Bureau of Investigation
HOURS EXPENDED BY CASE TYPE
FY94 - FY97

Investigative Division

HOURS EXPENDED BY CASE TYPE
FY94 - FY97

. 180,000 -r----;;()~q,'--------------------------------..., ~ ...q,
160,000

140,000

120,000

100,000 80,000 60,000

FY94 o FY95 III FY96 aFY97

40,000

20,000

NARCOTICS

CRIMES AGAINST PERSONS

PROPERTY CRIMES

OTHER INVESTIGATIONS

In the past four fiscal years, there has been a significant increase in the number of agent hours expended in investigating crimes against persons.

Georgia Bureau of Investlgatzon

The GBI also continues to utilize its Child Abuse Specialists to investigate the increasing numbers of crimes against children.

VIOLENT CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN
FY94 - FY97

400 ~----------------------------,

336

350

340

300

250

211

210

200

150

100

50

Pictured Left: Special Agent Jennings White, with the Governor's Task
Force on Drug Suppression, eradicates several large marijuana plants during the spring outdoor grow operation -. "Metro Area Blitz." Looking on are two Fulton County Sheriff's Deputies,
who participated in this particular detail.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ",
: MuI;n~JURlSDICTIONAL :
. TASK FORCES (MJTF) ;
.... :::-:.:...
The GBI is proud of its involvement in participating in and supervising 15 multi-jurisdictional task forces (MJTF) and two fugitive task forces. The following illustrates the geographic areas of those multi jurisdictional task forces. These MJTF's accounted for 6,123 investigations and 4,862 arrests, as well as the seizure of nearly $24.2

million worth of illegal drugs, more than $1.6 million in other contraband and 375 firearms from suspects, as well as $1.2 million in forfeitures. This activity was generated by the MJTF's total strength of216 employees, including 28 GBI agents, 18 from various state agencies, 44 agents employed by the MJTF' s, 94 from local law enforcement agencies, four from the National Guard and 28 administrative and support staff. The Investigative Division overall

seized $33.1 million dollars of contraband in FY97.
GOVERNOR'S TASK FORCE ON DRUG SUPRESSION
The Governor's Task Force on Drug Suppression (GTF) identified and arrested several marijuana growers in FY97. In almost 1,000 "blade" hours (flying time), the GTF received 174 site reports, seized 15,522 marijuana plants and made 49 arrests.

24 Georgia Bureau of Investigation

GEORGIA BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION INVESTIGATIVE DIVISION
GBl SUPERVISED MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL TASK FORCES

-

..

Investigative Division

SAC

SAC

GRDEO STATE DTF

CHEROKEE I- MANS
PIEDMONT I- MANS
- HALL COUNTY MANS
- ApPALACHIAN DTF

I

I

- ! : ! U ............:.:.:.:-:.:-:.:.:.:-:.:.=:.:-:.:.:.:.:.:.:.!!::.:-:-: I

-

......

-

I

SAC REGION 1

SAC METRO FUGITIVE
SQUAD

SAC MRDEO

SAC

SAC

SAC

REGION 9 REGION 4 SRDEO

SAC REGION 2

L TALLAPOOSA DTF

_ OCMULGEE . IPATAULAI

DTF

-, DTF I

IW~TGAI DTF 1-

.J OCONEE-DUBLIN I

COASTAL

~

DTF

MIDDlE GA
FUGITIVE ... SQUAD

I I I

DTF

ALTDATMFAHA 1- ~ EAST CENTRAL

r -- IsoumGA DTF

DTF
TRI-CIRCUIT DTF

Georgia Bureau of InvestzgatIOn

TASK FORCE NUMBER OF INVESTIGATIONS
FY97

1200 r - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ,

1036

1000 t - - - - - - - - - - - -

UAlTAMAHA - - - - - - - - - - ~[JAPPALACHIAN

III CHEROKEE aC.O.D.E.

800 - f - - - - - -

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _-1lll1EASTCENTRAl [J HAll COUNTY MANS BHIDTA DMETRO FUGITIVE

600+----400 - f - - - - - 200

- - - - - - - - - - - 1 Il!lIMIDDlE GA FUGITIVE raOCMUlGEE 1/1 OCONEE DUBLIN III PIEDMONT/NORTHERN
~_-lIElSOUTH GEORGIA CTAlLAPOOSA EnRI-CIRCUIT raWEST GEORGIA

o

26 Georgia Bureau ofInvestigation

Investigative Division

$7,000,000.00 $6,000,000.00 $5,000,000.00 $4,000,000.00 $3,000,000.00 $2,000,000.00 $1,000,000.00

TASK FORCE DRUG SEIZURES
FY97
$6,593,800.00

.ALTAMAHA
o APPALACHIAN

121 CHEROKEE

8C.O.D.E.

oo

El! EAST CENTRAL

il HALL COUNTY MANS

8HIDTA

G3 METRO FUGITIVE

I2l MIDDLE GA FUGITIVE

1!I0CMULGEE

iii OCONEE DUBLIN

El PIEDMONT/NORTHERN

IiIl SOUTH GEORGIA

BTALLAPOOSA

l!lITRI-CIRCUIT

BWEST GEORGIA

Fifteen hundred pounds of marijuana is confiscated during an undercover drug buy. A drug ill scientist from the Crime Lab stands by to assist in the weighing and incineration process,
while others continue to stack the bundles.

Georgia Bureau ofInvestigation

$500,000.00 $450,000.00 $400,000.00 $350,000.00 $300,000.00 $250,000.00 $200,000.00 $150,000.00 $100,000.00
$50,000.00
$.

ASSETS FORFEITED TO TASK FORCES
FY97

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _--j .ALTAMAHA
o APPALACHIAN
mCHEROKEE
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - j mC.O.D.E.

IJl EAST CENTRAL

III HALL COUNTY MANS

IlIHIDTA

oo

t:l METRO FUGITIVE

o MIDDLE GA FUGITIVE

oo

IIOCMULGEE

00

131 OCONEE DUBLIN

-g~

mPIEDMONT/NORTHERN t:i SOUTH GEORGIA

&I TALLAPOOSA

ElITRICIRCUIT

E1WEST GEORGIA

TOTAL TASK FORCE ARRESTS
FY97
756

DALTAMAHA IBAPPALACHIAN aCHEROKEE GlC.O.D.E. SEAST CENTRAL o HALL COUNTY MANS ElHIDTA III METRO FUGITIVE lilIMIDDLE GA FUGITIVE 11I0CMULGEE OOCONEE DUBLIN El PIEDMONT/NORTHERN 6S0UTH GEORGIA III TALLAPOOSA IlTRICIRCUIT IiIWEST GEORGIA

28 Georgia Bureau ofInvestigation

Investigative Division

STATE HEALm CARE FRAUD CONTROL UNIT
I

RESTITUTIONS, FINES & SEIZURES FY97

CASE DISTRIBUTION BY PROVIDER TYPE

$13,261,265

$12,000,000 $10,000,000
$8,000,000 $6,000,000 $4,000,000 $2,000,000

OTHER PROVIDERS 10%

o Recovered for GA Medicaid
I Program ~ Restitution Ordered/Not Yet Paid I_ Fines Ordered (Payable to
I Counties)
i. Seizure Values
[_Total

$2,556,310
$3,039,555 $89,900
$7,575,500 $13,261,265

The specialized work units which support other GBI offices and local criminal justice agencies are vital to the daily operation of the Investigative Division. The specialized work units include the State Health Care Fraud Control Unit (SHCFCU), Financial Investigations Unit (FlU), Crime Analysis Unit (CAU) and Crime Scene Specialist Program (CSS), Training Unit, Polygraph/Intelligence Unit, Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) Unit, Special Response Team (SRT), Bomb Disposal Unit (BDU), Metro and Middle Georgia Fugitive Squads, Investigative Staff Services (ISS), and Anti-Terrorist Unit (ATT).

RESTITUTION ORDERED AND PAID TO DMA PAID TO FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
ORDERED BUT NOT PAID
TOTAL COLLECTED & ORDERED

$5,560,000 $15,000,000 $9,999,000
$30.6 MILLION

I IpOLYGRAPH UNIT

The GBI Polygraph Unit provides criminal justice preemployment polygraph examinations and criminal examinations for GBI work units, and state and local agencies. The Polygraph Unit conducted 3,860 polygraph exami-

nations in FY97 - 1,234 preemployment exams and 2,626 exams in criminal investigations. The agents obtained confessions in 60.6% of criminal investigation examinations.

Georgia Bureau ofInvestigatIOn

: STATE HEALTH CARE Ii
I FRAUD CONTROL UNIT II

The State Health Care Fraud Control Unit (SHCFCU) is the newest specialized unit in the Investigative Division and it has met with unqualified success since its inception. It is staffed with 36 total personnel, including six Assistant Attorneys General and two legal secretaries from the Department of Law, four auditors from the Department of Audits, 19 GBI agents, two Intelligence Analysts, one Investigative Assistant and two GBI secretaries. The unit's function is to identify and arrest individuals who commit Medicaid-provider fraud. In FY97, this unit has recovered restitution for the Georgia Medicaid Program in the amount of $2.6 million. Another $3 million was ordered in restitution but has not yet been paid. The court ordered fines payable to Georgia counties in the amount of $89,900. Assets valued at $7.6 million were seized and are awaiting forfeiture action. The total restitution ordered in SHCFCU investigations in FY97 is approximately $13.3 million.

Special Agents of the GBI regional office in Conyers get instructions from Assistant Special Agent in Charge Marty Zon, following a successful raid on an
international chop-shop for semi-tractor trailers.

man incident in Lincoln County resulted in four GBI agents being shot during a 20-minute shoot out and the perpetrator ultimately being killed.

II BOMB DISPOSAL UNIT :1

II (BDU)

~

The Bomb Disposal Unit (BDU) provides statewide assistance in performing render-safe procedures on explosive devices, chemicals and other volatile substances. The BDU responded to 85 explosive device investigations in FY97. The GBI has three fullyequipped bomb vans. Members in

III

...

SPECIAL RESPONSE IJ

IITEAM (SRT)

1\

The Special Response Team (SRT) provides statewide assistance in high-risk arrests, searches and tactical situations. The team responded to nine requests for assistance during FY97 including seven barricaded suspects, and one hostage crisis. A barricaded gun-

Members of the GBI SRT board a Georgia State Patrol helicopter, which will transport them to a barricaded gunman situation in south Georgia.

30 Georgia Bureau ofInvestigation
& 1
this unit have assisted in the Centennial Olympic Park bombing and two other related bombings in the Atlanta area.

Investigative Division

CRIME ANALYSIS UNIT (CAU)

Special Agent Chris Bish, one of 15 GBI Bomb Techs, examines an explosive device, while wearing a protective suit.

The Crime Analysis Unit (CAU) provides information through behavioral science related services. The unit includes the Crime Scene Specialist Program, which provides support to other law enforcement agencies with its evidence gathering and handling expertise.

FINANCIAL INVESTIGATIONS UNIT (FlU)

The Financial Investigations Unit identifies financial assets gained through illegal activity. The unit investigates major corruption cases, which often involve public

officials. During FY97, FlU had a total of 80 cases, $13.1 million in reported property losses, $1.2 million in seizures, 17 arrests, and 25 financial analysis.

Crime Scene Specialists examine the remains of a body found in a field. Kneeling next to the victim is Crime Scene Specialist David Mitchell, along with two other
Crime Scene Specialists Carol Ann Johnson and Pete McFarland.

Georgia Bureau ofInvestigation

INTELLIGENCE UNIT
The Intelligence Unit acts as a repository for criminal intelligence information and processed 13,956 requests for intelligence information during the fiscal year.
TRAINING UNIT
During FY97, the Training Unit held inservice training sessions as well as various specialty courses for new and veteran agents. The Georgia Public Safety Training Center in Forsyth, Georgia is the site location of most GBI training. The Training Unit has been striving to become the Training Unit for the entire GBI, not just the Investigative Division. During FY97, the Training Unit also coordinated training for Crime Lab & GCIC personnel in two mass spectrometer courses, four pharmacology seminars and an AFIS/uCR seminar. A total of76 hours and 287 students were trained during FY97 from those two divisions. The Training Unit also coordinated various meetings.

Firearms Instructor Special Agent Terry Pelfrey conducts the fal~ firearms re-qualification at the firing range in Milledgeville, Georgia.

TRAINING UNIT

COURSE

HRS. # OF STUDENTS

BASIC AGENT

640 18

SPECIAL AGENT INSERVICE 202 208

SUPERVISOR'S INSERVICE

20 75

SECRETARY INSERVICE

14 39

POLYGRAPH INSERVICE

20 22

39 FIREARMS RANGE SESSIONS

550

8 RANGE SESSIONS-INSERVICE

283

SPECIALTY COURSES:

CHILD FATALITY

40 40

ELECTRONIC SURVEILLANCE 24

27

GBI BOMB TRAINING

16 32

BLOOD PATTERN ANALYSIS 40

17

CRIMINAL PROFILING

20 15

ADVANCED INTERVIEWS

32 39

CASE MANAGEMENT

12 40

HOSTAGE NEGOTIATIONS

40

15

GEORGIA CRIME INFORMATION CENTER
132 POSITIONS $8,766,902 BUDGET

Georgia Bureau of Investigation
GEORGIA BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION GEORGIA CRIME INFORMATION CENTER

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36 Georgia Bureau of Investigation
GEORGIA CRIME INFORMATION CENTER
(GCIC)

Georgia Crime Information Center

During FY97, GCIC completed an intensive one-year project to eliminate the backlog of criminal cards. The project was accomplished two months ahead of schedule and processing of criminal cards remained current through FY97. The average processing time for a criminal card is 34 hours.
With the selection of an outsource vendor, GCIC aggressively pursued the elimination of the final disposition backlog during FY97. By October, the vendor had completed all programming and testing, passed all security requirements and was processing 40,000 documents a month. The total backlog as of July 1, 1996, was 221,672 documents. An additional 305,000 documents, including delinquent dispositions, were received during FY97. At the close of the fiscal year, a total of 79,000 documents remained. This project should be completed within the second quarter ofFY98.
The processing of applicant cards remained current with an average processing time of four days - from the time the card was received at GCIC until the response was mailed to the requesting agency.
Throughout FY97, overall submissions of criminal cards

GCIC is the first state criminal records repository to have a fullyintegrated AFIS which creates or updates criminal history records as a
by-product of the fingerprint identification process.

increased while submissions of applicant cards and disposition reports decreased. FY97 reflected an increase over FY96 of 8% for criminal cards, and decreases of 10% for final disposition reports and 6% for applicant cards.

individuals were added during FY97, which represents a 6.2% growth rate. This is the second year in a row that the growth rate has been above 6%. The following table represents significant productivity data in AFIS Operations.

500,000
400,000 300,000
200,000 100,000
o
CR AP DP

o


FY97 PRODUCTION FY97 RECEIPTS

CR = criminal cards AP = applicant cards
DP = disposition reports.
The chart above shows production and document receipts for FY97.
At the close of FY97, GCIC maintained fingerprint and criminal history records on 1,869,631 individuals. An additional 109,523

Georgia Bureau of Investigation

During FY97, one agency purchased an AFIS remote terminal - Chatham County Police Department - increasing the total number of AFIS remote sites to eight. The eight sites include the US Secret Service, Atlanta Police Department, Dougherty County Sheriffs Office, Fulton County Police Department, DeKalb County Police Department, Lowndes County Sheriffs Office and Savannah Police Department. A total of 10,954 ten-print and latent searches were initiated from remote terminals during FY97. These inquiries resulted in 3,175 ten-print hits and 344 latent hits. GCIC visited the remote sites during FY97 in an effort to promote customer service and initiate a remote "user group." The purpose of the "user group" is to share information and establish communications between the user agencies and GCIC.
In June 1997, the AFIS upgrade to the Networked AFIS Transaction Management System (NATMS) was successfully implemented. The NATMS permits GCIC to accept fingerprint images and data electronically from a live scan device, to process the transaction and to return an identification response to the local agency. The first live scan transmission was received June 6 from the prototype agency, the Clayton County

Sheriffs Office. The offender was arrested at 5:36 a.m. for violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act and theft by taking. The booking process was completed and the transaction initiated at 10:42 a.m. By 11 :28 a.m., GCIC had received the transaction, completed processing through AFIS, updated the computerized criminal history record and returned a response to Clayton County. Georgia's AFIS is the first system in the United States to accept and respond to live scan transmissions from a local booking agency. A total of 1,016 transactions were received during June 1997. The average turn-around time has remained at two hours. GCIC will begin adding more agencies in FY98.
To accommodate the two-hour turnaround on live scan transmissions, GCIC AFIS Tenprint and Computer Operations expanded to a 24-hour-a-day, seven-days-aweek shift operation. GCIC is the first state repository in the United States to work around the clock. This change was accomplished without any additional personnel. However, as the volumes oflive scan transmissions increase, personnel will need to shift and retrain to handle the change in workload.
AFIS analysts continued efforts to automate final disposition data

from courts. During FY97, a total of 108 courts reported dispositions electronically via the GO network or especially designed case-management software. This represents an increase of 59% over FY96. Electronic updates of final disposition data from both types of automated courts accounted for approximately 18% of the total number of dispositions reported to GCIC in FY97. The amount of electronic transmissions received more than doubled the 7% received in FY96.
AFIS analysts also completed 1,497 requests for special record reviews and corrections during the year. These requests come from criminal justice agencies and private individuals, when records must be modified to ensure completeness and accuracy. An additional 4,900 special record checks were completed for attorneys and individuals, who were requesting copies of client or personal records.
I I UCR
During FY97, the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program continued to provide crime and arrest statistics to the following: local law enforcement agencies, the Governor and General Assembly, the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, county and municipal officials, media representatives, and interested citizens. Statistics were provided through the publication "Crime in Georgia - 1996," and 1,150 special reports. GCIC continues to expand UCR automated submissions. A total of 88 agencies submitted their crime,

38 Georgia Bureau ofInvestigation

Georgia Crime Information Center

clearance and arrest statistics via magnetic tape or diskette in FY97. This represents 17% of the total number of reporting agencies.
The UCR program also continued the collection of special family violence (FVA) incident reports initiated during FY96. During FY97, a total of 57,831 family violence incident reports were processed. An analysis to outsource UCR and FVA reports was completed during the fiscal year. A contract with an outside vendor was prepared and executed. Programming, testing and training will be completed within the first quarter ofFY98.
I I TRAINING
AFIS Operations personnel provided 272 hours of training to 606 students in the areas of fingerprinting, OBTS, and UCRlFVA report completion and program requirements. A one-day AFISI UCR seminar was held in Forsyth, Georgia. Presentation topics included fingerprinting, live scan, OBTS report completion, automated disposition reporting, applicant services, Uniform Crime Reporting, AFIS latent operations, first offender records, and the delinquent disposition program. More than 150 personnel representing various law enforcement and criminal justice agencies attended.

II

GCIC teleprocessing specialists operate the CJIS, which con~ai?s one of the ~argest criminal history databases in the nation on nearly tw~ ml1hon pers?ns WIth
terminal access to other states and the FBI's National Cnme InformatIon Center.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE INFORMATION SYSTEM NETWORK
The Criminal Justice Information System (CnS) Network, managed by GCIC, supported 5,217 terminals at the end of FY97. This is an increase of 388 terminals over FY96, reducing the number of Georgia counties without a cns network terminal to five. The cns network processed and delivered more than 120 million messages in FY97. GCIC provided more than 823 hours of formal cns network training to 2,472 criminal justice employees during the year. GCIC also sponsored one seminar for CJIS terminal coordinators during the fiscal year, which was attended by more than 500 individuals from throughout the state.
INVESTIGATIVE ASSISTANCE
During FY97, GCIC received requests from federal, state and

local law enforcement agencies for computerized investigative support in more than 1,700 high priority cases. A total of 2,400 reports were produced as a result of these requests. GCIC also produced an additional 800 reports, detailing inquiries ofthe CJIS data bases in response to 540 requests for such assistance.
I I COMPUTER SUPPORT
During FY97, the staff completed 1,318 requests for service. The requests varied from help with problems on single personal computers to developing software applications on the large Unisys mainframe. Major computer applications were developed for the following: Investigative Division case management, integration o~ the Georgia Sex Offender Registry with the national registry at the FBI, and entry and tracking of missing and stolen explosives on the Georgia hot files. Local Area Networks (LANs) were installed in each of the five remote Crime Labs and all GBI LANs were upgraded

Georgia Bureau ofInvestigation

to the latest version of Microsoft NT Server. A formal HELP desk was implemented for managing the support of GBI personal computers.
SEXUALLY VIOLENT OFFENDER PROGRAM
The Sexually Violent Offender Program became operational during FY97. This program, mandated by federal law, requires violent sexual offenders and predators to register their place of residence upon release from prison with their local sheriff s office. In addition, annual verification records are mailed to the sexual offender for address update or correction. Approximately 900 individuals were added to the registry during the first year of operation.
I IAFIS UPGRADE

returned electronically to the submitting agency. The NATMS was funded by grant money from the National Criminal History Improvement Program (NCHIP).
CRIMINAL JUSTICE RECORDS
IMPROVEMENT (CJRl) PLAN
During the past year, the approved Georgia Criminal Justice Records Improvement Plan was implemented. This plan outlines the developments and enhancements required to improve Georgia's criminal justice records in order to meet national guidelines for completeness and accuracy. The plan governs the use of federal grant moneys dedicated to this effort and covers the fiscal years through 1998. An update of the plan outlining the first year's results and accomplishments was submitted to the federal government and received approval.

ICOURT AUTOMATION'
The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC), along with the Georgia Courts Automation Commission (GCAC), is currently testing two additional software packages for District Attorneys and court systems. The first package, Person Manager, is a case management system capable of extracting and transmitting final disposition data to GCIC and updating the Computerized Criminal History (CCH) data base. Person Manager is being tested by the Bulloch County District Attorney's Office. The Baldwin County court system is evaluating the second package, Judicial Justice System Integration. The System Integration will interface with a live-scan or booking system and transmit captured data to designated district attorneys or solicitors as well as committal courts. These agencies will then electronically connect to their superior court for trial and disposi-

Phase 2 of the AFIS migration plan was implemented with the installation ofthe Networked AFIS Transaction Management System (NATMS). The NATMS extends AFIS services to local law enforcement agencies throughout the state by allowing agencies with compliant live scan devices to transmit fingerprint images, demographic data and arrest data electronically to the central site facility. The electronic transaction is then processed by central site personnel, AFIS and CCH data bases updated and an identification response is

The Research & Development section of GCIC is the backbone of creating, establishing and implementing the upgrades, improvements and automation
of the criminal justice system of Georgia.

40 Georgia Bureau ofInvestigation

Georgia Crime Information Center

tion data for charges being tried. This software package will also be able to extract and transmit final disposition data to GCIC and update the CCH database.
The GCAC also has a statewide license for an automated casemanagement software system called SUSTAIN. One feature of the SUSTAIN software is that it allows local courts to electronically extract and transmit final disposition data to GCIC. Presently, there are 25 SUSTAIN sites transmitting final disposition data to GCIC.

grant money will be used to reimburse local law enforcement agencies for the purchase or upgrade of live-scan devices capable of submitting data electronically to GCIC.
Listed below is the status of previously awarded grant projects.

ing of criminal justice information. Auditors gained additional experience during the year by forming stronger partnerships with GCIC

NATIONAL CRIMINAL HISTORY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM GRANT
In FY97, the state of Georgia submitted a grant request of $515,000 to the National Criminal History Improvement Program. If the state receives the award, the

Three audit teams continued to perform

On-site audits of federal, state and local criminal justice agencies are conducted every two years to determine if an agency is in compliance with state and federal security and
privacy laws and regulations

mandated

assessments of criminal justice and operations teams; thereby, provid-

public safety agencies pertaining to ing criminal justice agency heads

the use of terminals on the ClIS

and their employees with the

network and the control and report- guidance and training needed to

Georgia Bureau of Investigation

o

comply with state and federal laws and regulations. These laws and regulations deal with the access, control, and use of criminal justice information. During the year, increased emphasis was placed upon conducting audits within a "customer service" framework. This philosophy has resulted in additional partnerships between GCIC and agency heads. Together, performance requirements are met and the system becomes more effective.
SUMMARY OF
SECTION ACTIVITIES
The four-member cns Network
Audit Team conducted more than 470 on-site and correspondence audits during the reporting period. This coincided with the second year ofthe current biennial audit cycle set by the National Crime Information Center's (NCIC) Access Integrity Unit, which manages a nationwide audit program. States with computer terminal access to NCIC computerized files must ensure that all agencies with NCIC access are audited biennially. This team collectively traveled more than 42,000 miles in order to comply with federal audit standards. All tasks are performed by this team, including technical assessments of data, administrative duties, on-site assessments, postaudit briefings with agency heads and their staff, and agency followup to ensure remedial action plans have been submitted to GCIC when warranted.
During the reporting period, FBI NCIC audit teams conducted an

audit assessment of GCIC and select ClIS network agencies. NCIC auditors praised the work of this team during NCIC visits to local Georgia agencies.
A second audit team was formed during FY96. This threemember Delinquent Disposition Team conducted research within Georgia's courts and other criminal justice agencies, searching for final disposition reports that were never reported to GCIC. When agencies submit criminal fingerprint cards for felony arrests to GCIC, the agency must follow up by reporting the final disposition. This team continued its work during the reporting period and collected more than 13,000 delinquent disposition reports, traveling more than 25,000 road miles.
The achievements of this team were made possible by the cooperation of criminal justice officials, who permitted the auditors to work side by side with their respective agency's employees in a team effort to collect delinquent dispositions. Information accessibility at the different agencies varied from total automation to a completely manual data retrieval process. In addition to disposition collection, this team continued to facilitate the needs of local agencies, coordinating requests for training in fingerprinting and disposition reporting. This team also discussed and solicited opinions from court officials on changing the procedure of reporting final dispositions from paper to an automated submissions system. Team members, in conjunction with AFIS operations and Research/Development and Technical Support, provided local

officials with two automation options. Auditors on this team also completed all administrative tasks connected with this program.
The third audit program team, comprised of two members, conducted performance assessments, dealing with fingerprinting and disposition reporting, of Georgia's law enforcement and criminal justice agencies. This essential program was once part of the
overall cns network audit; how-
ever, it was discontinued in 1992 in order for existing auditors to meet FBI requirements for biennial audits of ClIS network agencies. During the reporting period, this team conducted more than 350 onsite audits of criminal justice agencies and traveled more than 33,000 road miles. This team also performs all administrative tasks related to audit preparation, on-site assessments and post-audit summaries, which are provided to agency heads.
The work performed by this team is critical to the content and quality of Georgia's computerized criminal record database, which is linked to other states via the National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (NLETS) and to FBI computerized files via NCIC. Audit team members coordinate with AFIS training personnel when a local agency's needs are identified. They also provide referral assistance to local agencies regarding the AFIS live scan and remote systems.

42 Georgia Bureau ofInvestigation

Georgia Crime Information Center

The Firearms Program, established in 1996, calls for instant background checks on persons wishing to purchase handguns
from federally licensed dealers.

The Georgia Firearms Program provides instant background checks on persons wishing to purchase handguns from federally licensed firearms dealers pursuant to Georgia law and the provisions of the federal "Brady Act". This background check is to ensure that persons prohibited by either state or federal law are barred from the purchase of handguns.
The Georgia Firearms Program received 95,756 telephone calls from federally licensed firearms dealers throughout the State of Georgia. The Firearms Program processed 85,152 instant background checks during FY97. This is the first complete fiscal year the program has been in operation. The program is operational seven days a week, 365 days a year, from 8:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m.
The instant background checks resulted in 77,515 or 91% approv::l1~ for handgun purchases. Of these

checks, 68% were approved instantly, requiring no further action by the Firearms Program personnel.
In May 1997, an agreement was entered into between the GBI and VeriFAX, LLC ofNashville, Tennessee to provide an on-line instant background check service to the large volume firearms dealers in this state. This would allow the firearms dealer to enter and receive the same information he now receives from a Firearms Program operator, without going

through the operator. This will save the firearms dealer and the Firearms Program both time and expense.
As of October 1, 1996, the Gun Control Act of 1968 (18 U.S.C. 922(g)) was amended to prohibit a person from receiving or possessing firearms if they have been convicted of domestic violence, a misdemeanor. Changes were made to GCIC's computerized criminal history data base as well as the Firearms Program. During FY97, 154 sales were denied under this amendment.
The Firearms Program collected a total of $368,710 in instant background check fees from firearms dealers during FY97. Firearms dealers are billed monthly at the rate of$5.00 per instant background check. This fee is charged to the prospective purchaser by the firearms dealer.
The following chart is a synopsis of the Firearms Program activity for FY97:

Georgia Bureau ofInvestigation

FIREARMS TRANSACTIONS
FY97

6984

-6-02- 2

5447
------

575
----

<:7-7-2-2---1-6-5-9-9-----+6-0-0-1--- 598

6913 5962

543-0

532

7640 6470

5886

584

-------1------

-

---

8167

7084
~----

" -6-3-7-7- - -

707

1i521 10429 9679

750

--1-4--0' - 429

- 1-55- --4-3-7-

122

406

141

437

--~--

-----

----1"7_9 .---

521 --

165

580

6

- -0- -

0
-.-----

- - -6 - - - - -0- - - - - -0 - - ---

4

- -0- - + - - - -0- + - - - - - - - 1

6

0

0

- - - ------- ------

7
---~

0
---

-_.----0------

----

5

0

0

8407 - -73-60- - - -6742

9768 8906
.~_.-

80-35

8063 - -7-43-9

67-49- -

7094 6647

602-6 -

.--6-8-7-9------6+3-3-2--- 5745

6598 5902

5398

618 871 690- 621 587 504

-1-59231
- - 183- - -152
-13-9 107

447

5

598

8

469

2

----------

435

5

-40-5 ---13-

364

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0

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0

0

30

-_.~---

0

0

24

95756 85152 77515

7637

1873 5528 76

o

o 154

44 Georgia Bureau of Investigation

Georgia Crime Information Center

TOTAL FIREARMS TRANSACTIONS BY MONTH
FY97

12000

11000 10000

-

9000

8000

7000
6000 ..--

..-

r--

r--

,--

5000

,--

..-

r--

r--

..--

r--

4000

3000

2000

1000

0

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

TOTAL FIREARMS ApPROVALS VS NON-ApPROVALS BY MONTH
FY97

10000 9000 8000 7000 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000
o
J ul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

o

ApPROVALS



NON-ApPROVALS

DIVISION OF FORENSIC SCIENCES

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Georgia Bureau of Investigation
GEORGIA BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION DIVISION OF FORENSIC SCIENCES

I OPERATIONS
I LATENT PRINTS I PHOTOGRAPHY
I QUESTIONED DOCUMENTS
I I FIREARMS / BALLISTICS
I TRACE EVIDENCE
I IMPLIED CONSENT
I TOXICOLOGY I DRUGID 7 I SEROLOGY DNA

I AUGUSTA
I COLUMBUS
I MACON
MOULTRIE
I SAVANNAH
I SUMMERVILLE

MOULTRIE REGIONAL MEDICAL EXAMINER

48 Georgia Bureau ofInvestigation

Division of Forensic Sciences

DIVISION OF FORENSIC SCIENCES

Over the past three fiscal years the GBI Division of Forensic Sciences (DOFS) has made significant improvements in its ability to complete more services for its customers. Regardless of this increase in productivity, there are still significant delays often in critical cases. These are often cases that require high volumes of evidence and special attention.
DOFS has made every effort with its current resources to improve the turn-around time of its services. Over the last three years, the number of services completed within 30 days has improved from 53% in FY95 to 59% in FY97. This is with an increase of 24,918 services completed over the period. All of this productivity is with decreasing costs per service. In FY97, each service completed by DOFS cost Georgians less than $90.

Drug ID Scientist Bob Ollis takes random samples of the 1,500 pounds of marijuana confiscated by GBI undercover narcotic agents during a drug bust. Drug Identification will be one of the services offered at the
new lab in Summerville, Georgia

-
Increases in productivity have not been substantial enough to significantly improve case turnaround time. Case volume continues to increase with the greater reliance on forensic science. Georgia is the fifth fastest growing state in the nation; thus, there is little reason to believe that these trends will decrease. All forensic laboratories face concerns over case turnaround and issues of quality

control. More stringent quality standards are likely to affect productivity and further hamper rapid case turnaround.

::~:

- -.-.- - ;.:

~ l.t..r:.r~.i .~t.r:. ~. ~. ~.:~.ir.lf.il . :U~";..;l :_:J:~ )..''.:. :;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:, :::;:;:;:;:::::::;:::::::::::;::::::::::.:.:.:..:.;..::>f:: '"

Progress continued on the John Frank McConnell GBI Crime Laboratory in Summerville, Georgia. By the end of FY97, the facility was nearly complete and the dedication ceremony was scheduled for Fall of 1997. The

Summerville Laboratory will be the GBl's seventh regional lab in its system. The new facility will open providing toxicology, blood alcohol, firearms identification, criminalistics, arson and drug identification. The laboratory is also equipped to support possible future services, including latent fingerprints and serology/DNA, as well as a regional medical exammer.

Georgia Bureau of Investigation
PRODUCTIVITY
120000.,...-----------
100000 + - - - - - - - - -
80000 60000 40000 20000
o
1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997
IMPROVEMENTS IN PRODUCTION
CONTINUE IN FY97
SERVICES COMPLETED By LAB SITE

50 Georgia Bureau of Investigation
SERVICES BY FUNCTION

Division of Forensic Sciences

MISCELLANEOUS

-- ... 9,-394 1 -'" ~,-, ~,,-~.

.---~

~~--,,-- ""-'" "'-,-~

Georgia Bureau of Investigation

In FY95, the Office of Planning & Budget and the Department of Audits completed an audit of DOFS. The results were favorable in terms of the overall quality of work and customer satisfaction. The most critical concern was in the completion time or cycle time of incoming cases. In late FY96, DOFS applied for and received funding from the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council to complete a re-engineering study of its caseprocessing system.
A three-month study was completed in March 1997. The study, facilitated by a consulting firm specializing in Business Process Re-engineering (BPR), allowed the management team of DOFS to analyze its case-processing system down to the most miniscule task level. This detailed study resulted in a set of three recommendations to increase both case tum-around time and productivity.

of lab staff,
o transfer test results to
case file electronically,
and
o compile test results
automatically.

III. Provide electronic LIMS access to customers to achieve:
o immediate access to
case status and test results,
o remote entry of new
cases, and
o e-mail of test results.

Latent Print Scientist Phillip Prater prepares several pieces of evidence, collected at the scene of a crime, to be processed using an advanced superglue fuming-based technique.

I. Select and implement a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) which will provide:
o work load planning, o case/evidence track-
ing, and
o improved management
reporting.

II. Increase automated testing and link automated scientific equipment to LIMS to:
o increase productivity

Question Document Technician Betty Gayton examines evidence, following a procedure using the ElectroStatic Detection Apparatus (ESDA), which is used to detect indented writing found on sheets of paper that were under a document at the
time it was written.

52 Georgia Bureau of Investigation

Division of Forensic Sciences

I I DOFS QUALITY TEAM
In FY97, the DOFS Quality Team was formed in conjunction with the completion of the re-engineering analysis. The purpose of the Quality Team is to develop quality standards which will guide DOFS toward becoming the premier laboratory system in the world. The team will form quality objectives, including production, safety and customer service, into all aspects ofDOFS operations.

The DOFS Quality Team is driven by the following:
o Significant increased demands for faster, better and more service o Significant increased demands for scientists and system accountability o Significant increased scrutiny of Forensic Science o Requirements placed on all state agencies to well define future goals and strategies
The components of the Quality Team Progam include the following:
o ISO 9001 Quality System (International Organization for Standardization) o American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors - Laboratory
Accreditation Board (ASCLD / LAB)
o Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award
(In FY97, the Quality Team was well underway toward achieving these objectives.)

Georgia Bureau ofInvestigation

Division oJ l-orenslC ~Clences :J.)

At the end of FY97, DOFS made a major change in its Medical Examiner program. A majority of the GBI's Medical Examiner services were provided by doctors under contract with the Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office. How-

ever, with the retirement of Dr. J. Byron Dawson from DOFS, the GBI hired Dr. Kris Sperry as Chief Medical Examiner and three fulltime board-certified pathologistsDr. Mark Koponen, Dr. Frederick Hellman and Dr. Geoffrey Smith.

In FY97, the GBI morgues in Atlanta and Moultrie completed the highest number of autopsies in the
history ofDOFS.

PATHOLOGY NUMBER OF AUTOPSIES COMPLETED
FY85 - FY97

1800

1600

1588

1608

1400

1200

1000 800

-'-Total GBI Autopsies _ Moultrie Regional ME

600

400
286
200

0 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97

54 Georgia Bureau of Investigation

Division of Forensic Sciences

I I QUALITY TEAM

In FY98, the foundation work needed for ASCLD accreditation and ISO 9001 certification will be completed. Both are expected to be achieved in FY99.
I IDOFS STRATEGIES

GBI Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kris Sperry examines an x-ray, which clearly shows a bullet lodged in a victim's skull.

DOFS will continue to seek major infrastructure improvements in the following areas:

IIla~jl
In FY97, the OBI (founding member) began participation in the States' Coalition, a group of 11 states working together to solve major challenges in forensic sciences, information systems and investigative functions. These states surveyed their forensic science divisions to compare cost per case, number of cases worked and caseload managed by each scientist. Ofthe 32 states surveyed:

lJ~illlil
J I SUMMERVILLE LABORATORY
The Summerville Laboratory will be on line in FY98. This new laboratory will provide increased capacity for the overall DOFS system, while providing local customers with the benefits of services close to their jurisdictions.

o Laboratory Information
Management System
(LIMS)
o facility improvements o accreditation and certifi-
cation
o adequate personnel
resources
o scientific instrumentation o scientist retention

o DOFS worked the most
cases
o DOFS Scientists carried
the largest caseloads
o DOFS had the third lowest
cost per case

With the States' Coalition, the OBI will formulate local, state and national strategies to improve the overall quality and case turnaround time provided by forensic science labs throughout the country.

GBI's new crime laboratory in Summerville will be open in FY98.

Georgia Bureau of Investigation

Olympic 'l'nbute

Olympic Tribute to the
Men & Women ofthe GBI
The state was responsible for two-thirds ofthe Olympic Venues, placing a huge burden of commitment on all state agencies including the GBI.
The following two pages represent a tribute ofappreciation to the men and women ofthe GBI who tirelessly devoted hundreds ofhours to protect all Olympic visitors and athletes as
well as to maintain their day-to-day responsibilities to the citizens ofthe state of Georgia.

56 Georgia Bureau ofInvestigation

Olympic Tribute

Photos by John Bankhead, Director of Public Affairs & James Brown, GBI Photographer