Georgia Bureau of Investigation annual report 1998

GAo I1il15.r6 AI 199B

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SUBJECT

GEORGIA BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
FISCAL YEAR 1998 ANNUAL REpORT
PAGE NUMBER

I.

DEDICATION

II.

DIRECTOR'S ACKNOWLEGEMENTS

III. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCI1JRE

BOARD OF PUBUC SAFETY

GBIEXECUTIVESTAFF

3
5 7-11
9 10-11

IV. ADMINISTRATIVE SECTION
ORGANIZATIONAL CHART PUBuCAFFAIRS OFFICE OF LEGAL SERVICES OFFICE OF PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS OFFICE OF PERSONNEL STAFF SERVICES F~CE

13-20
15 16 16 16 16-17 17-18 18-19

~

INVESTIGATIVE DIVISION

21-38

ORGANIZATIONAL CHART

23

BUDGETED EMPLOYEE PosmoNs

24

15 REGIONAL OFFICES

25-27

CRIME CHARTS

26-27

DRUG ENFORCEMENT/MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL DRUG TASK FORCES (MJTF) 28-29

SPECIALIZED WORK UNITS

29-35

DIRECTOR'S AWARDS FOR lNvEsTIGATIVE ExCEIl.ENCE

36-37

VI. GEORGIA CRIME INFORMATION CENTER
ORGANIZATIONAL CHART AUTOMATED FINGERPRINT lDENTIFICATION SYSTEM (AFIS) COMPUTER SERVICES REsEARrn&DEVELoPMENT AUDrrSECTIoN GEORGIA FIREARMS PROGRAM

39-50 41 42-44 44-45 45-49 49 49-50

VII.

DIVISION OF FORENSIC SCIENCES ORGANIZATIONAL CHART NORTHWESf GEORGIA lABoRATORY
QUALITY Focus
PRODUCTIVITY PAlHOLOGY
NEW TErnNOLOGIES

VIII. GBI HISTORY

51-60 53 54 55 55-58 59 59-60
61-64

Dedicated To The Memory Of
Troy L. Pierce, Sr. 1962-1997
In 1980, Troy Pierce began hiscareerwith the Georgia Bureau o/InvestigationasaNarcoticsAgentattheage of18. In 1985, Troy waspromotedto the rank o/SpecialAgentandworked in avariety ofareas throughout hiscareer. InMay of1997, Troy wasseriously injuredinanautomobileaccidentwhich ledto his retirement in
October. Seven monthslater, Troy diedasaresultofinjurieshesustainedin thataccident Troy issuruivedbyhiswifeandthreedJildren.
His untimely death shockedandsaddenedusall. Hediedat theage0/35, havingdevoted morethan hal/his lifeto the GBL We willmisshisfriendship andsmile. He willalways berememberedin ourhearts.

GEORGIA BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

GOVERNOR ROY BARNES 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 1998 Annual Report of the Georgia Bureau ofInvestigation (GBI). The information provided to you in this report represents the fiscal year ending June 30, 1998.

FY98 was the beginning of a very historical time for the GBI, not only for the GBI and its employees but for the state of Georgia as well. This agency set out to become the first Georgia state agency and only the fifth state agency nationwide to receive the distinguished Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) recognition. During FY98, a select team of GBI employees devoted all of their time to the accreditation process. We look forward to and anticipate a positive result in the early part ofFY99.

The FY98 Annual Report provides an examination ofthe contributions all three divisions and the administrative section have made toward the overall goals of the GBI. FY98 was a productive year for the entire GBI due to the enormous commitment of each employee who, over the years, dedicated their life to ensuring the GBI maintained its status as one ofthe premier law enforcement agencies in this country. The individual employees of the GBI are the Bureau's most valued asset.

As with each continued year, the GBI will maintain its pledge to preserve and ensure the highest quality oflife for all ofthe citizens ofthe Great State of Georgia. On behalf ofthe GBI and its employees, thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,

~

~-~<?-

Milton E. Nix, Jr. Director

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

GeorgiaBureau ofInvestigation

1998
BOARD OF PUBUC SAFETY

OrganizJttionalStmaure 9

HONORABLE Roy BARNES, GOVERNOR

WAYNE ABERNATHY

WAYNE GARNER COMMISSIONER

ROONEY L. BOWEN, III

DANIEL M.., BRYANT

SHERIFF DONNIE HARALSON

W.H.lfARpER,]R

ROBERT E. KELLER

CHIEF HUBERT L. SMITH CHIEF RONALD T. STRONG

10

GeorgiaBureau ofInvestigation

GEORGIA BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
ORGANIZATIONAL CHART
II II BOARD OF PuBLIC SAFETY

OrganizdtionalStnteture

MILTON E. NIX, JR.
DIRECTOR

ANmONY K. GAILEY
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

t---:I PUBUC AFFAIRS 1
.......- ....... LEGAL SERVICES t - - - - f OFFICE OF PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS .......- ....... PERSONNEL t - - - - f STAFF SERVICES .......- - - f FINANCE

VERNON M. KEENAN
DEPUlY DIRECTOR INVESTIGATIVE DIVISION

PAUL C. HEPPNER
DEPUlY DIRECTOR GEORGIA CRIME
INFORMATION CENTER

TERRY MILLS, III
DEPUlY DIRECTOR DIVISION OF FORENSIC SCIENCES

Georgia Bureau ofInvestigation

OrganizJ:ltionalStmcture 11

GEORGIA BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION DIVISIONAL REsPONSffiILITIES

I DIRECTORI
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT I - - - - - - - t DIRECTOR
Assists the Director in establishing departmental policies, and coordinates the management of administrative, employee and new program issues. Provides primary executive
management for all Division of
Forensic Sciences operations and program management for staff
m spectl.Ons.
Represents the Director and the GBI on various boards, and coordinates all grant programs.

ADMINISTRATIVE SECTION
Performs fiscal, personnel, supply, planning and training, internal and public affairs functions, and legal services.

INVESTIGATIVE DIVISION

GEORGIA CRIME INFORMATION CENTER

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

Operates the Georgia Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) Network Maintains Georgia's repository for all criminal history records and fmgerprint files Contributes to the national Uniform Crime Reporting System Operates Georgia's Firearms Program Conducts audits of criminal justice agencies

DIVISION OF
FORENSIC SCIENCES
Furnishes scientific support to the criminal justice system of Georgia Scientific specializations including ballistics, trace evidence, drug identification, handwriting analysis, blood alcohol level detection, serology and DNA analysis, toxicology, pathology and latent print identification tests Provides expert testimony in court

ADMINISTRATIVE SECTION
38 POSITIONS $4,324,259 BUDGET

Georgia Bureau ofInvestigatwn

AdministratheSection 15
GEORGIA BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION ADMINISTRATIVE SECTION
ORGANIZATIONAL CHART

MILTON E. NIX, JR.
DIRECTOR

JOHN G .R. BANKHEAD
DIRECTOR PUBUC AFFAIRS

MARK B. JACKSON
DIRECTOR LEGAL SERVICES

JACK H. WHITE
INSPECTOR OFFICE OF PROFESSIONAL
STANDARDS

L. GALE BUCKNER
DIRECTOR PERSONNEL

E. SCOTT COWN
DIRECTOR STAFF SERVICES

RITA C. NORMAN
FISCAL OFFICER/TREASURER FINANCE

16 GeorgiaBureauofInvestigation

Administram.eSection

ADMINISTRATIVE
SECTION
I I PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE
The Public Affairs Office (PAO) is responsible for coordinating the support functions of public information, "media relations and community affairs for the GBI. The PAO issues news releases and media advisories to inform the public and the media of activities, programs, achievements and other items of public interest such as case updates.
The PAO also is responsible for coordinating and conducting tours of the GBI Crime Lab; composing and editing articles submitted to law enforcement publications; compiling, developing and publishing the GBI annual report and recruitment brochures; and designing all static display board presentations. The Director of Public Affairs also represents the GBI at the Georgia General Assembly.
During FY98 the PAO also produced a "GBI Public Image" video to be used during recruitment efforts at career days and to be used during presentations to civic groups and special engagements.
In FY98 the GBI web page went on line. The web page was designed and continues to be maintained by the Director ofPublic Affairs. The web site features all three divisions of

the GBI as well as the Sexually Violent Offender Registry, crime statistics, wanted criminals, missing persons and unsolved cases. The GBI web page address is www.ganet.org/ gbi.
OFFICE OF LEGAL
SERVICES
During FY98, the Office of Legal Services responded to 194 open record requests, as well as more than 100 subpoenas and court orders combined. The Director of Legal Services provided legal instruction for in-service, and new agent and supervisor training sessions at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center in Forsyth. Additionally, legal service was provided in the areas of policy, new legislation, and administrative and personnel law.
The Office of Legal Services filed responses to five Equal Employment Opportunity Commission claims, two Workers' Compensation claims and a Federal Labor Standards Act lawsuit; worked in liaison with the Attorney General's Office for the resolution of a retirement issue; and assisted the Office ofProfessional Standards on complaints, internal affairs investigations and adverse actions. The Director of Legal Services served as Grievance Hearing Officer for the Office of State Administrative Hearings and was instrumental in the filing of two DOFS rules changes filed with the Secretary

of State. Approximately 70 civil
actions were received this fiscal year, including 40 ante litem notices filed in connection with the Olympic Park Bombing incident and various claims for damages and civil lawsuits involving GBI personnel.
OFFICE OF PROFESSIONAL
STANDARDS
The Office of Professional Standards (OPS) is responsible for conducting internal affairs investigations 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 FY98, there were 22 internal investigations, resulting from complaints against GBI employees. The Office of Professional Standards also conducted 32 additional inquiries, which were of a lesser nature and did not require full investigations.
IOFFICE OF PERSONNEL
The Office of Personnel, comprised ofseven full-time and part-time employees, is responsible for providing support to the three divisions of the GBI in all human resource matters. The routine responsibilities ofthe office include the following: hiring new employ-

Georgia Bureau o/Investigation

Administrati<Section 17

ees; classifying positions;
ascdrmeeinnim.stgerpinroggtrhaemasg;eonvceyr'ssederm.ugg
the performance management process; assisting employees with benefits such as annual and sick leave, health and dental insurance, deferred compensation and death benefits; serving as the liaison for workers' compensation benefits; coordinating the student internship and youth apprenticeship programs; and managing the employee assistance program. During FY98, the Personnel Office added Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) services and new recruitment strategies to its list of responsibilities.
During FY98, the GBI had a total of 776 employees, including those in grant-funded or hourly-paid employees. This includes 38 employees in Administration, 421 in the Investigative Division, 184 in the Division of Forensic Sciences and 133 in the Georgia Crime Information Center. At the end of the fiscal year, there were 47 vacancies.
The Office of Personnel processed more than 775 personnel transactions ranging from new appointments, promotions, transfers, separations and retirements. In addition, the office processed more than 150 college student internship applications and placed approximately 60 student interns.
The Office of Personnel staff, in addition to their normal responsibilities, provided

assistance in the preparation of the agency for the State of Georgia Law Enforcement Certification Program and national accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). One-third of the standards established by these programs is personnelrelated. Both processes required the Offic~ of Personnel staff to review and update all personnel policies and procedures for the GBI. The efforts paid off in the GBI achieving state certification in January 1998, thus paving the way for national accreditation to be completed in November 1998.
"Lunch & Learn" sessions continued this year. This program allows employees to eat lunch while learning about topics that are of interest to them. Topics this year included the savings bond program, Roth IRAs and managing holiday stress.
I I STAFF SERVICES
Staff Services provides a wide variety of administrative support functions within the
GBI.
FACILITIES MANAGEMENT
Construction was completed on the new Northwest Georgia Regional Crime Laboratory in Chattooga County. Governor Zell Miller was the keynote speaker at the dedication ceremony for the new facility, which was held on

October 15, 1997. Construction was also completed on the new regional office in Statesboro, Bulloch County. A dedication ceremony was held in December 1997 for this facility. Negotiations were successfully completed to work through a cooperative effort with the respective local governments in Coffee and Worth counties, to construct a new Region Four office in Douglas and a new Region Fifteen office in Sylvester. An architectural firm was also hired to design an addition to the existing Central Georgia Regional Crime Laboratory in Macon to accommodate a Medical Examiner.
A major facility accomplishment by the GBI was initiated during FY98, and is scheduled to become effective in FY99. This is the privatization of all building operation services at the GBI Headquarters Complex in DeKalb County. This privatization initiative will better guarantee the operations ofcritical facility systems that support the Georgia Crime Information Center, which includes the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS), and the main Crime Lab instrument systems by contracting with private sector vendors. This not only will greatly improve the level of expertise in service personnel operating the facility, but it also should result in substantial dollar savings budgeted in previous years for building operations.

18

Georgia Bureau ofInvestigation

AdministrativeSection

PROCUREMENT SECTION
The central departmental
Procurement Section processed more than 8,000 Field Purchase Orders, maintained more than 200 agency contracts and bid out 80 requisitions. Implementation of the new State Purchasing Information Network (SPIN) system was continued during FY98, and Staff Services conducted planning and training sessions on the new system. Staff Services worked closely with the OBI Finance Office and DOAS to initiate the new VISA State Purchasing Card Program within the OBI during FY98.

of all funding received by or awarded to this agency. The agency's Fiscal Officer/Treasurer supervises the Finance Office and the staff is organized in two units - Accounting and Budget.
ACCOUNTING
The accounting staff, comprised of an Accounting Director and nine accounting positions, receives, records and disburses funds using a modified accrual system of accounting. A total of 12,500 expense checks were generated stemming from the processing of more than 14,700 Field Pur-

chase Orders, direct payment requests and travel vouchers. Staff received, recorded and deposited more than 48,650 checks for payments of services rendered by the agency. The accounting staff is also responsible for production of payroll for 743 state, 46 federal and 41 temporary positions, which generated 4,471 paychecks and 12,642 direct deposits in FY98.
BUDGET
The budget staff, comprised of a Budget Administrator and three analysts, manages and monitors all expenditures made by organizational units.

FLEET & PROPERlY SECTION

The Fleet and Property Section managed the OBI's fleet of more than 500 vehicles in FY98, and successfully reconciled the departmental inventory. The OBI instituted the new State Motor Vehicle Fuel Credit Card Program.
Staff Services also was responsible for providing telecommunications management and records management services to the department, as well as the preparation of all credentials.
IFINANCE SECTION
The principal responsibility ofthe Finance Office is to support the three divisions of the OBI through budget development and fiscal management

The GBI's Investigative Division's Regional Office in Statesboro, Bulloch County, opened during FY98. A dedication ceremony was held in December 1997.

GeorgiaBureau ofInvestigation

Administrati/Section 19

The budget staff also developed a budget request for FY99, which resulted in the appropriation of$51,299,927 in state funds. In addition to state funds, this section is responsible for administering all grant awards.

GCIC $8,296,824-

FY98 STATE FUNDS
BUDGETED By DIVISION
.ADMIN. $4,324,259

INY. DIY. $24,306,898

.DOFS $11,287,185

ACCOUNTING AcTIVITY

60000,--

-----,

50000 1 - - - - - - - - - - - - , = - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1

"'000 I------~ 30000 1 - - - - - - 20000 1 - - - - - - -

1---

fi1991l
~

10000

EXPENSE CHECKS

EXPENSE TRANSACTIONS

DEPOSITS

REVENUE TRANSACTIONS

PAYCHECKS

DIRECT DEPOSITS PAYROLL ORDERS

FY98 FEDERAL & OTHER FUNDS

ADMIN. $57,629

DOFS $733,220

m INV DIV
$7,980,377

GCIC $1,329,567

INVESTIGATIVE DIVISION
421 POSITIONS $24,306,898 BUDGET

Georgia-Bureau ofInvestigation

GEORGIA BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION INVESTIGATIVE DIVISION
ORGANIZATIONAL CHART

Irrn?StigatroeDWision

23

MILTON E. NIX, JR.
DIRECfOR

VERNON M. KEENAN
DEPUTY DIRECTOR

ACCREDITATION ~--I

MOSES ECTOR
CHIEF OF STAFF

WILLIAM H. SHEPHERD
!NSPECfOR

J. Roy HARRIS
INSPECfOR

ROBERT F. INGRAM
!NSPECfOR

24

Georgia Bureau ofInvestigation

IrwestigatWeDivision

INVESTIGATIVE

I IGEORGIA BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

DIVISION

The Investigative Division of the GBI is charged with the primary responsibility ofassisting the approximately 800 county and city law enforcement agencies in the investigation of crimes committed in Georgia.
The Deputy Director for Investigations leads the division with a command staff of four inspectors. The Investigative Division's 15 regional offices, three drug enforcement offices, various specialized work units and multi-jurisdictional task forces (MJTF) assist in the investigation ofall types of crimes including crimes against persons, property crimes, and illegal drugs. The Investigative Division had 395 full-time state-funded positions and a total budget of $25,749,032 in FY98.

INVESTIGATIVE DMSION TOTAL BUDGETED POSITIONS AS OF
JULY 1, 1998
395 Employees

DEPUTY DIRECTOR'S

OFFICE

-

31 Employees

INVESTIGATIVE STAFF SERVICES CoMMUNICAnON CENTER

DRUG ENFORCEMENT OFFICES
41 Employees
SAVANNAHRDEO GAINESVILLE RDEO MACONRDEO

SPECIAL UNITS
129 Employees
CRIME ANALYSIS UNIT FINANCIAL INvESnGAnONS UNIT POLYGRAPH UNIT METRO FUGITIVE SQUAD MIDDLE GA FUGITIVE SQUAD SPECIAL OPERAnONS UNIT INTELLIGENCE UNIT DARE UNIT GOVERNOR'S TASK FORCE ON
DRUG SUPPRESSION
STATE HEALTH CARE FRAUD
CoNTROL UNIT STATE DRUG TASK FORCE ANTITERRORISM UNIT TRAINING UNIT

REGIONAL OFFICES
194 Employees
REGION 1- CALHOUN REGION 2 - GREENVILLE REGION 3 - AMERICUS REGION 4 - DOUGLAS REGION 5 - STATESBORO REGION 6 - MILLEDGEVILLE REGION 7 - THOMSON
REGION 8 - GAINESVILLE REGION 9 - THOMASVILLE REGION 10 - CONYERS
REGION 11 - ATHENS
REGION 12 - EASTMAN REGION 13 - PERRY REGION 14 - KINGSLAND REGION 15 - ALBANY

GeorgiaBureau ofInvestigation

Investigatrn!DWision 25

15 REGIONAL
OFFICES

GBI AGENT HOURS EXPENDED
FY94 -FY98
180,000 ~---------------------,

160,000

The Investigative Division

140,000

carries out its responsibilities primarily through its fifteen regional offices. Special Agents assigned to these 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 illegal drugs. The investigative activity in these regional offices has increased significantly from previous years in the area of

120,000 100,000
80,000 60,000 40,000 20,000
o
FY94 D FY95 FY96 D FY97 D FY98

Drugs
163,018 143,655 137,489 105,934 136,831

Persons
83,379 99,403 106,872 139,524 164,606

Property
44,375 45,831 46,029 68,399 61,752

Other/Misc.
55,199 88,549 86,425 64,658 51,064

crimes against persons. While much energy and many hours are expended in investigating

INVESTIGATIVE HOURS EXPENDED
FY98

property crimes, the focus of

the GBI, by necessity, has shifted to violent crimes, especially those crimes that victim-

Other Investigations
6%

ize children. In FY98, investi-

gative hours spent on crimes against persons increased

Miscellaneous 6%

22.6%, and drug investigation

hours increased over 15%. The following charts show the investigative hours expended in crimes against persons and child abuse cases.

Bomb Disposal
1%
Special Response
Team

GBI has long been a front

1%

runner in the area of drug

investigations. In addition to

the 15 regional offices, the GBI jurisdictional task forces,

drug enforcement offices in

. expend resources in the drug

Gainesville, Macon and Savan- enforcement arena. Personnel

nah, along with the Governor's assigned to these offices often

Task Force on Drug Suppres- work in concert with other

sion, the State Drug Task Force state, local and federal authori-

,HId 15 GBI-supervised multi- ties.

The GBI also participates in the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force, which is comprised of federal, state and local agencies, and targets drug traffickers in the metro Atlanta area.

26

Georgia Bureau ofInvestigation

CRIMES AGAINST PERSONS
FY98

Child Abuse 14%)
EOD/SRT
7%

Other 3%

Imx!StigatroeDWision

Crime Scene
12%

Sex Crimes Robbery Assault

4%

4%

6%

PROPERTY CRIMES HOURS EXPENDED
FY98

Forgery 5%

Vehicle Theft 40/0

Theft 71%

Georgia Bureau ofInvestigation

27

VIOLENT CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN
FY94-FY98

FY95

210

FY96

340

o FY97

336

o FY98

337

Pictured Right: GBI special agents and crime scene specialists assist the Atlanta Police Department in the gathering of evidence and the analysis ofthe crime scene ofa police shooting in which two officers, responding to a domestic disturbance, were violently gunned down. One officer died and the other suffered permanent debilitating IIlJunes.

Pictured Left: Special Agent Randy McMahan, assigned to the GBI Regional Office in Milledgeville, Baldwin County, rolls the fingerprints of a victim ofa triple homicide in Jones County. The victim's prints were taken in order to eliminate the pattern from several prints discovered at the crime scene. Two suspects were eventually identified and arrested, and are awaiting trial.

28

Georgia Bureau ofInvestigation

I I DRUG ENFORCEMENT

The GBI's drug enforcement activity included the seizure of contraband valued at $32,259,624. Other activities included 1,113 drug investigations, 284 assistance rendered reports and 24 other type investigations. A total of 136,831 investigative hours were expended during FY98. Those hours account for 32% of the total number ofinvestigative hours by all GBI agents.

The State Drug Task Force and the 15 multi-jurisdictional task forces, all of which are supervised by the GBI, have a total of 210 persOimel assigned to them. These employees, both sworn (183) and non-sworn (27) are employed by local Sheriffs Departments and police departments (75), other state agencies (16), the Georgia National Guard (3), the GBI (37) or are employees of the multijurisdictional task force themselves (51). (See charts).

GBI DRUG ENFORCEMENT OFFICES GAINESVILLE - 25 COUNTIES MACON - 35 COUNTIES
SAVANNAH - 19 COUNTIES

These task forces seized 421 firearms, drugs valued at $39,571,350 and other property valued at $2,278,544, arrested 5,814 defendants, and received $701,565 in forfeitures in 7,697 investigations.
The Middle Georgia Fugitive Squad arrested 1,116 suspects on felony fugitive warrants in FY98; of that number, 340 (or 31 %) were arrested on felony drug warrants, and of the 1,116 suspects, 89% had previous arrests.

GBI SUPERVISED MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL
TASK FORCES (MJTF) ASSIGNED PERSONNEL

ApPALACHIAN M]TF (11)

TRI-CrRCUIT M]TF (12)

ALTAMAHAM]TF (9)

OCMULGEEM]TF (12)

CHEROKEE MANS (15)

OCONEE-DuBLINM]TF (10)

E.CENTRAL GEORGIA DTF (8) PIEDMONT-NORTHERN (12)

WEST GEORGIA M]TF (15) HALL COUNTY MANS (11)

PATAULA M]TF (7)

STATE DRUG TF (17)

SOUTH GEORGIA DTF (8)

MIDDLE GA FUGITIVE (14)

TALLAPOOSA M]TF (9)

METRO FUGITIVE (23)

TOTAL: 193

MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL TASK FORCE PERSONNEL

GBI

36

OTHER STATE AGENCIES

16

EMPLOYED BY M]TF

51

OTHER AGENCIES (LOCAL, FEDERAL) 61

NATIONAL GUARD

2

ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT

27

TOTAL

193

GBI SUPERVISED

MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL TASK FORCES

FY98

ARRESTs
DRUGS SEIZED OTHER PROPERTY FORFEITURES

5,073 $39,247,543 $2,155,024 $701,565

The Governor's Task Force on Drug Suppression (GTF) identified and arrested 47 marijuana growers in FY98. In 1,268 helicopter "blade" hours (flying time), the GTF identified 353 marijuana grow sites and seized 18,937 marijuana plants. GTF is comprised of 13 fulltime personnel from GBI, Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Department of Transportation (DOT), Georgia National Guard (GaNG) and Georgia State Patrol (GSP).
SPECIALIZED WORK
UNITS
GBI specialized work units support other GBI offices and local criminal justice agencies and are an integral part of the operations of the Investigative Division. The specialized work units are as follows: the State Health Care Fraud Control Unit (SHCFCU), Financial Investigations Unit (FlU), Crime Analysis Unit (CAU) and Crime

GOVERNOR'S TASK FORCE ON DRUG SUPPRESSION MARIJUANA PLANTS SEIZED
FY98

Governor's Task Force
64%

GOVERNOR'S TASK FORCE ON DRUG SUPPRESSION
ARRESTS FY98

Other Law Enforcement,
97 arrests 67%

Governor' TaskForce, 47 arrests
33% .

30

Georgia Bureau afInvestigation

Scene Specialist Program (eSS), Training Unit, Polygraph Unit, Intelligence Unit, DARE Unit, and the Special Operations Unit which includes the Antiterrorism Unit (ATT), the Special Response Team (SRT) and the Bomb Disposal Unit (BDU).
The Special Operations Unit relies on the participation of agents assigned to other offices, who have collateral duties with the Bomb Disposal Unit and the Special Response Team in addition to the tasks they perform at their regular work units. Through its three full-time bomb technicians and nine bomb techs with collateral duties, the Bomb Disposal Unit (BDU) provides statewide assistance in performing rendersafe procedures on explosive devices, chemicals and other volatile substances. In FY98, the Bomb Disposal Unit responded to 108 requests for assistance for a total of 5,746 investigative hours expended in BDU calls.
The Special Response Team (SRT) provides statewide assistance in high-risk arrests, searches and tactical situations. During FY98, 4,378 hours were spent in support of the 13 requests for assistance from the Special Response Team. These requests included two hostage crises, three manhunts/fugitive arrests, three drug search warrants and raids, and five barricaded gunmen.

GBI SPECIAL WORK UNITS

CRIME ANALYSIS UNIT FINANCIAL INvEsTIGATIONS
UNIT POLYGRAPH UNIT METRO FUGITIVE SQUAD MIDDLE GA FUGITIVE SQUAD INTELLIGENCE UNIT DARE UNIT .ANrrrERRORISM UNIT TRAINING

STATE HEALTH CARE FRAUD
CONTROL UNIT SPECIAL OPERATIONS UNIT
- BOMB DISPOSAL UNIT - SPECIAL RESPONSE TEAM - ANTI-TERRORIST TEAM GOVERNOR'S TASK FORCE ON DRUG SUPPRESSION STATE DRUG TASK FORCE

OFY95 OFY96
1[iJ FY97 .FY98

GBI BOMB DISPOSAL INCIDENTS
FY95 -FY98
120 100
80 60 40
20 O-J---------'----
66
109 107 108

Members of the GBI SRT gather with Special Agent in Charge of SOU Wayne Smith to outline the details of a plan involving a barricaded gunman.

Georgia Bureau ofInvestigation
Members of the Special Response Team (SRT) Entry Team were nominated for the 1998 Governor's Public Safety Award. The nomination stemmed from an incident that occurred on October 16, 1997, when the SRT Entry Team responded to a request for assistance, to a barricaded gunman with a hostage in Molena, Pike County. A fugitive, wanted on rape and burglary charges, barricaded himselfinside a mobile home and took his girlfriend hostage. The SRT crisis negotiators convinced the suspect to release his girlfriend. Throughout a thirteen-hour period, the fugitive fired numerous shots at the SRT.

31

GBI SPECIAL RESPONSE TEAM

MEMBERS

SNIPER TEAM

8

ENffiyTEAM

15

PERIMETER TEAM

11

COMMAND POST TEAM

3

HOSTAGE NEGOTIATORS

18

BOMB DISPOSAL SPECIALIST

12

RADIO SPECIALISTS

3

GBI SPECIAL RESPONSE TEAM ACTIVITY FY98
4,378 HOURS EXPENDED 13 REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE
2 HOSTAGE CRISIS 5 BARRICADED GUNMEN 3 MANHUNT/FUGITlVE ARREsTs 3 DRUG SEARCH WARRANT/RAIDs

GBI SRT Entry Team members receive the Governor's Public Safety Award for "Act of Hero ism." Posing for a picture with Governor Zell Miller, following the award ceremony, are award recipients (from left to right) SAPs Terry W. Hunt, Mike B. McDaniel, David L. Bartlett, Governor Miller, ASAC H. Carter Brank, and SAP Jeffrey W. Evans

Negotiations were at a standstill and twenty (20) rounds of tear gas and diversion devices were deployed into the home. After the GBI robot established the suspect's loca-

tion - barricaded in a closet the SRT Entry Team entered the residence and forcibly subdued him.
On October 7, 1998, the SRT Entry Team members,

ASAC H. Carter Brank, SAP's David L. Bartlett, Mike B. McDaniel, Jeffrey W. Evans and Terry W. Hunt, received the Governor's Public Safety Award for "Act of Heroism."

32

GeorgiaBureau a/Investigation

Four other Special Response Team members, Inspector Roy 1. Harris, III, Special Agent in Charge Paul F. Musick, Assistant Special Agent in Charge Daniel M. Thomas and Special Agent Principal Ricky Roy Jiles, were recognized by the Peace Officers Association ofGeorgia (POAG) for their valor in the arrest of a suspect in the murder of Laurens County Deputy Kyle Dinkheller. Special Agent in Charge Lee 1. Sweat was recognized by the POAG for his meritorious service to the Special Response Team's hostage negotiator program. Special Agent Principals Jeffery W. Evans and Jerry A. Rowe were recognized by POAG for their valor in the arrest of the suspect in the murder of four members ofthe Danny Bryant family in Santa Claus, Georgia in December 1997.
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 4,300 polygraph examinations in FY98, which is an 11.4% increase from the 3,860 in FY97. The FY98 figure includes 1,781 for pre-employment and 2,519 for criminal investigations. The GBI polygraph examiners obtained confessions in 63.8% of criminal investigation examinations.

POLYGRAPH EXAMINATIONS
FY98 TOTAL EXAMINATIONS 4,300

Pre employment
41 ok

Specific
590/0

POLYGRAPH CONFESSION RATE
FY98

Known eceptive (did not confess)
36%

Confessions 64%

Georgia Bureau ojInvestigation

33

The State Health Care

Fraud Control Unit

STATE REALlH CARE FRAUD

(SHCFCU) is the newest specialized unit in the Investiga-

CONfROL UNIT

tive Division and it has met with GBI PERSONNEL

A TIORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE

unqualified success since its

19 AGENTS

2 SENIOR ASSISTANT

inception. It is staffed with

4 INTELLIGENCE

A TIORNEYS GENERAL

prosecutors from the Depart-

l

ment of Law, auditors from the

ANALYSTS
1 INVESTIGATIVE

4 ASSISTANT A TIORNEYS GENERAL 2 LEGAL SECRETARIES

Department of Audits and GBI

,t

agents. Its function is to iden-

ASSISTANT
2 SECRETARIES

STOTAL

tify and arrest individuals who

defraud the Medicaid and Medicare programs. Since this

26 TOTAL

unit was formed, it has recovered federal government funds of $17.5 million and $5.6

DEPARTMENT OF AUDITS
6 AUDITORS

TOTAL EMPLOYEES: 40

million for the Georgia Depart-

ment ofMedical Assistance.

More than $33,000 has been recovered in fines for Georgia counties. Restitution totaling

STATE HEALTH CARE FRAUD CONTROL UNIT
FUNDS RECOVERED AS OF JUNE 30, 1998

more than $710,000 for the federal government and nearly

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

$17,500,000

$5.3 million for the Georgia Department ofMedical Assis-

GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

$5,594,870

tance has been ordered in SHCFCU investigations but not

FINES FOR COUNTIES

$33,360

yet paid by defendants. The Financial Investiga-
tions Unit identifies financial

TOTAL

$23,128,230 ($3,197,034 IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS)

assets gained through illegal

activity. The unit investigates

major corruption cases, which

often involves public officials.

The Financial Investigations

Unit's Forensic Auditors often

t

provide valuable services to

STATE HEALTH CARE FRAUD CONTROL UNIT

[

iocal agencies in tracking assets

of drug dealers and other

FY98

criminals.

AVERAGE OPEN FRAUD CASES AVERAGE THEFT PER CASE MEDICAID FRAUD CONVIctrONS DEFENDANTS CURRENTLY UNDER INDICTMENT

60 $500,000 67 37

34

Georgia Bureau a/Investigation

The Crime Analysis Unit (CAU) provides assistance by examining submitted case materials and capturing behavioral evidence in order to provide information to law enforcement agencies statewide. The unit also provides Crime Scene Specialist support to law enforcement agencies throughout Georgia by collecting evidence at crime scenes and processing physical evidence. These are one-of-a-kind programs within Georgia.

Special Agents Woody Boyd and Kim Baker, assigned to the Regional Office in Statesboro, Bulloch County, process a crime
scene for evidence.

Pictured Left: Crime Scene Specialist Gerald Hill, assigned to the Regional Office in Statesboro, Bulloch County, closely examines a piece of evidence collected from a crime scene in hopes offinding a fingerprint. Special Agent Hill uses a speciallight, orange goggles and a magnifying glass to detect the presence ofa latent print.

Pictured Right: Crime Scene Specialist David Mitchell examines skeletal remains found in a wooded area in Monroe County. Items recovered during the examination were consistant with that of an individual reported missing two years earlier.

Georgia Bureau ofInvestigation
The Intelligence Unit serves as a repository for criminal intelligence information and processed 16,814 requests for intelligence information and received 2,284 intelligence reports during the fiscal year. The Intelligence Unit also serves as the clearinghouse for missing and exploited children; and, this unit provided assistance in 90 such investigations.
The Intelligence Unit also has a forensic artist on staff who provides invaluable assistance in working with victims and investigators in gaining enough information to render composite drawings of suspects in criminal investigations. The forensic artist provided assistance by sketching 116 composite drawings in FY98. In addition to sketching suspects, the forensic artist also works with the GBI Medical Examiner in drawing composites ofunidentified bodies, which have been brought to the morgue. Those sketches are then used on posters and provided to the news media.
Sketch

35

PROJEcrDARE

(DRUG ABUSE RESISTANCE EDUCATION)
FY98

SCHOOL SYSTEMS PRESENTING DARE TOTAL SCHOOLS PRESENTING DARE STUDENTS TAUGHT DARE TOTAL ACTIVE DARE OFFICERS TOTAL DARE OFFICERS TRAINED

158
733 134,000 310
68

Sketch

Photn

These are two sketches created at the hands of the GBI Forensic Sketch Artist Marla. The most infamous and internationally recognized sketch is that of the accused Atlanta/Birmingham Bomber Eric Robert Rudolph (pictured above). Pictured left: Armed robbery suspect from a Snellville PD case. Wanted posters were made and distributed lIsing Marla 's sketch, which was drawn from the descriptions provided by witnesses claiming to have seen a suspicious man in the areas prior to the burglaries

36

Georgia Bureau ofInvestigation

ImestigativeDWision

I I DIRECTOR'S AWARDS
Every year, each Inspector on the Investigative Division's Command Staffoffers nominations from their area of responsibility for the "GBI Director's Award and Deputy Director's Award for Investigative Excellence."
The "Director's Award" was given to the Region 5, Statesboro Office for its outstanding investigation into the homicides of a male on the Fort Stewart Federal Reservation, and four males and two females in Walthourville. This multiple homicide demanded massive resources from the GBI. Four Crime Scene Specialists, eight Special Agents, two Assistant Special Agents in Charge (ASAC) from Regions Three, Five, Six, Seven, Twelve and Fourteen, the Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of Region Five, and Inspector Robert Ingram all assisted the Liberty County Sheriffs Office and seven other law enforcement agencies in the investigation. Through interviews and evidence, two suspects were identified as the perpetrators in the murders in Walthourville. The suspects, armed with a .38 revolver and a .380 pistol, had entered the Walthourville residence where they shot and stabbed the six victims. The suspects subsequently traveled to Hagan, Georgia, and met a third person who followed them to a remote area on the Ft. Stewart reserva-

tion. At this location, one of the perpetrators was murdered. The momentum and pace of the investigation was fueled by the spirit of cooperation among the eight agencies that were working in conjunction with the GBI around the clock to bring the case to the hands of the District Attorney.
Investigations in Regions One and Four and the State Health Care Fraud Control Unit earned the "Deputy Director's Award for Investigative Excellence."
Region One, was requested to assist the Bartow County Sheriffs Office in the investigation of a car jacking in Dunwoody, DeKalb County, which ended with a homicide near Cartersville in Bartow County. On June 6, 1998, four males left Cartersville after telling several friends they were going to Atlanta to steal a car to strip and sell. The two victims, Gordon Louis Nava and Dakarai Sloley, left a store located in a strip mall in Dunwoody and got into a 1995 white BMW. Two of the four suspects surprised the victims by hiding in the car. One of the suspects pointed a 9mm pistol at the victims and directed Sloley to drive to a nearby church where the other two suspects, who were waiting, joined them in a green Toyota Corolla. Nava was then locked in the trunk of the BMW and one of the suspects drove the car. Both vehicles went to a location near Cartersville where

Nava was shot. The suspect shot at Sloley and thought he was dead. However, Sloley ran into thick brush to escape and subsequently found help. The suspects went to Cartersville and then to a friend's birthday party at a motel in Rome. Rome Police responded to a disturbance call at the motel where officers saw the green Toyota, fitting the vehicle description broadcast by Bartow County Sheriff's Office of the vehicle wanted in connection with the investigation. The four suspects were subsequently arrested and charged with the carjacking and murder ofNava.
Region Four received information that a suspect had several pipe bombs and machine guns at his residence at a mobile home park in Douglas, Georgia. Region Four agents went to the residence and obtained a written consent to search the home and located four armed pipe bombs. The agents immediately evacuated innocent family members and secured the residence. After agents obtained a search warrant for the suspect's home, the Bomb Technicians successfully located, recovered and disarmed the four well-made pipe bombs. Region Four Agents and Coffee County deputies located and arrested the suspect who was heavily armed.
The State Health Care Fraud Control Unit (SHCFCU) investigated the "We Care Family Services,

Georgia Bureau ofInvestigation

37

Inc.," its owner, and a psychologist for Medicaid fraud. The owner formed "We Care Family Services, Inc.," to provide psychological services to needy individuals who could not afford these services. There were two Atlanta locations one on Bankhead Court and the other on Hollywood Court. The owner contracted with the psychologist to provide the services. The company sought out the patients, as oppose to the patients seeking out the company for medical and psychological help. The owner and other employees recruited Medicaid recipients, who were told they could receive services such as tutoring for children, HIV education classes, counseling and "healthy cooking" classes all at no cost to them if they were on Medicaid. As a result, entire families that were enrolled in the "We Care" program billed Medicaid for group, family and individual psychotherapy, psychological testing and evaluation. The group counseling provided by the psychologist, however, equated to nothing more than "rap sessions." The patients thought they were receiving social support programs, but the services provided were not medically necessary and were in fact fraudulent. Many services billed to Medicaid were never provided and were billed as family or individual therapy at a much higher rate rather than group therapy. The loss to the Medicaid system by these

fraudulent schemes resulted in approximately $540,000. Both the owner and the psychologist were found guilty on August 15, 1998, of Medicaid Fraud, Conspiracy to Defraud the State and Theft by Taking.
These four cases are examples of the types of major cases in which the GBI assists law enforcement agencies. The GBI is committed to providing the best services to the citizens of Georgia.

Pictured Below: Special Agent Clay Nix, assigned to the Regional Office in Conyers, reviews the day's events with GBI agents and law enforcement officers from Douglasville Police and Douglas County Sheriffs Office, following a multi-agency round up of street-level drug dealers in the Douglas County area.

j
During the Douglasville round-up of street-level drug dealers, more than 35 defendants were arrested, including severaljuveniles, and more than
80 warrants were taken out. The defendants were arrested at their homes, brought to a designated staging area, and then transported to the
appropriate facility for processing.

GEORGIA CRIME INFORMATION CENTER
136 POSITIONS $8,296,824 BUDGET

Georgia Bureau afInvestigation

Georgia CrimeInfarmation Center 41

GEORGIA BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION GEORGIA CRIME INFORMATION CENTER
ORGANIZATIONAL CHART

MILTON E. NIX,}R.
DIRECTOR

PAUL C. HEPPNER
DEPUTY DIRECTOR

RONALD W. SEAY
AsSISTANT DEPUTY DIRECTOR COMPUfER SERVICES

TERRY D. GIBBONS
AsSISTANT DEPUTY DIRECTOR
AFIS OPERAnONS

J. WILUAM HOLLAND
AsSISTANT DEPUTY DIRECTOR
REsEARCH!DEVELOPMENT &
TECHNICAL SUPPORT

GEORGE L. EMFINGER
CHlEF OF OPERAnONS
AUDIT PROGRAM

CHARLES A. SEVERS
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
FIREARMS PROGRAM

42

Georgia Bureau ofInvestigation

Geargia CrimeInformation Center

GEORGIA CRIME
INFORMATION
CENTER
AUTOMATED FINGERPRINT
IDENTIFICA TION SYSTEM
(AFIS)
At the close of FY97, the Networked Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) Transaction Management System (NATMS) upgrade to AFIS was successfully implemented. The NATMS permits the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) to accept fingerprint images and data electronically from a live scan device, process the transaction and return an identification response to the local agency. During FY98, 15 local law enforcement agencies began transmitting electronic criminal fingerprint images and data. These agencies book arrestees for 90 agencies, representing 25% ofthe entire criminal processing workload. Georgia's AFIS is the first system in the United States to accept and respond to live scan transmissions directly from a local booking agency.
To accommodate the twohour turnaround on live scan transmissions, GCIC AFIS Tenprint and Computer Operations expanded to a 24-x-7-shift operation during FY97. As the live scan workload increased

throughout FY98, personnel continued to be shifted and retrained to ensure a two-hour turnaround response time. In fact, the average processing time for live scan transactions was one hour and five minutes. This includes identification and the update or creation of a computerized criminal history record.
As part of this implementation ofelectronic submissions, GCIC began forwarding criminal identifications and updates to the FBI's Electronic Fingerprint Image Print Server (EFIPS). Transactions generated from local live scan agencies are routed to the FBI after processing through GCIC. Hard copy cards from a transmission are printed at the FBI and processed. This reduces the processing time at the FBI from approximately 60 days to eight days.
During FY98, GCIC completed an intensive project to eliminate backlogged final

disposition reports. Updating criminal records with final disposition infom1ation for reported arrests is critical to the accuracy and completeness of these criminal records. This information is needed for sentencing decisions, employment decisions and firearms purchases. This project was accomplished on schedule and the processing of final disposition reports remained current through FY98.
The processing of criminal and applicant fingerprint cards remained current throughout FY98 with an average processing time of72 hours for criminal cards (manual submissions) and 82 hours for applicant cards. This time is calculated from the time a set of cards is received at GCIC until the time the Georgia response is mailed to the requesting agency. These turnaround times also ensure a timely creation or update of a computerized Georgia criminal history record.

250,000

200,000

150,000

100,000

50,000

o

CR

AP

DP

FY98 Production FY98 Receipts

The chart shows production and document receipts for FY98 where CR = criminal cards (including live scan transmissions); AP = applicant
cards and DP = disposition repol1s.

J

Georgia Bureau ofInvestigation

Georgia CrimeInformation Center 43

in 5,468 tenprint hits and 552

latent hits.

AFIS analysts continued

efforts to automate final dispo-

sition data from courts. During

FY98, a total of 120 courts

reported dispositions electroni-

cally via the GO network or

specially designed case manage-

ment software. This represents

an increase of 11 % over

FY97 in the number of courts

AFIS Specialists process criminal and applicant ten print cards. The average processing time for ciminaJ cards is 72 hours and the average time for applicant cards is 82 hours.

reporting electronically. Electronic updates of final disposition data from both types of automated courts accounted for

approximately 21 % of the total

Throughout FY98, overall submissions ofcriminal cards (including live scan transmissions) and final disposition reports decreased while submissions of applicant cards increased. FY98 reflected a decrease over FY97 of 5.6% for criminal cards and 0.8% for final disposition reports, and an increase of7.7% for applicant cards.
At the close of FY98, GCIC maintained fingerprint and

creasing the total number of AFIS remote sites to twelve. Remote terminals also exist at the US Secret Service, Atlanta Police Department, Dougherty County Sheriffs Office, Federal Bureau ofInvestigation, Fulton County Police Department, DeKalb County Police Department, Savannah Police Department, Chatham County Police Department and Lowndes County Sheriff s Office. A total of 18,923 tenprint and

number of dispositions reported to GCIC in FY98, up from 14% in FY97.
AFIS analysts also completed 2,522 requests for special record reviews and corrections during the year. These requests come from law enforcement/criminal justice agencies as well as private individuals where records must be modified or updated to ensure complete and accurate records.

criminal history records on

latent searches were initiated

1,972,257 individuals. An

from remote terminals during

additional 102,626 individuals FY98. These inquiries resulted

were added during FY98, which

represents a 5.5% growth rate.

The table to the right represents AcTIVTIY

PRODUCTION

significant productivity data in AFIS Operations.
Three additional agencies purchased AFIS remote terminals - Cobb County Police Department, Cobb County Sheriffs Office and Clayton

AFIS SEARCHES AFIS MATCHES AFIS/CCH RECORDS lNITIATED/UPDATED CCH RECORDS DISSEMINATED TENPRINT TO LATENT INQUIRIES TENPRINT TO LATENT HITS

535,928 337,850 867,106 1,044,709 479,064
131

County Sheriffs Office - in-

44

Georgia Bureau ofInvestigation

Georgia CrimeInformation Center

UNIFORM CRIME REPORTING
The Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program continued to provide crime and arrest statistics to local law enforcement agencies, the Governor and General Assembly, the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, county and municipal officials, media representatives and interested citizens through the publication of"Crime in Georgia - 1997" and 1,174 special reports.
The UCR program also collects special family violence (FVA) incident reports. During FY98, a total of 46,067 FVA reports were processed. GCIC also began the collection of Hate Crime statistics during FY98. This is a voluntary program that was initiated in the third quarter of FY98. Currently, only a small number of agencies are reporting Hate Crime information.
TRAINING
AFIS Operations personnel provided 550 hours oftraining to 1,255 students in the areas of fingerprinting, OBTS and UCR! FVA report completion and program requirements.
COMPUTER SERVICES
CRIMINA LJUSTICE INFORMATION SYSTEM NETWORK

The Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) Network, managed by GCIC, supported 5,951 terminals at the end of FY98. This is an increase of 734 terminals over FY97, reducing the number of Georgia counties without a CJIS network terminal to one. The CJIS network, which contains one of the largest criminal history databases in the nation on nearly two million persons with terminal access to other states and the FBI's National Crime Information Center, processed and delivered more than 127 million messages in FY98. GCIC provided more than 720 hours of formal CJIS network training to 1,521 criminal justice employees during the year. GCIC also sponsored one conference for CJIS terminal coordinators during the fiscal year, which was attended by more than 650 criminal justice and public safety employees located throughout Georgia.
INVESTIGA TIVE ASSISTANCE
During FY98, GCIC received requests from federal, state and local law enforcement agencies for computerized investigative support in more than 1,500 high priority cases. A total of 2,050 reports were produced as a result of these requests. GCIC also produced an additional 850 reports, detailing inquiries of CJIS databases in response to 525 requests for such assistance.

COMPUTER SUPPORT
During FY98, the Year 2000 remediation was the top priority project within the Computer Services Section. Approximately 75% of all personnel resources were dedicated to the Year 2000 project. All GBI personal computer applications were evaluated, changed, tested and Year 2000 versions were implemented by the end of May. The Computerized Criminal History (CCH) and the Law Enforcement Data Systems (LEDS) were evaluated, and the code changed and tested during FY98. Year 2000 versions of CCH and LEDS systems will be implemented in early FY99. Also, a complete inventory of all personal computers was completed and each was tested for Year 2000 compliance. A budget request was completed to upgrade or replace each personal computer and software package that is not Year 2000 compliant.
SEXUALLY VIOLENT OFFENDER PROGRAM
The Sexually Violent Offender Program became operational during FY97. This program, mandated by federal law, requires violerit 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 each sex

Georgia Bureau ofInvestigation

Georgia CrimeInformation center 45

offender for address update or correction. Approximately 1,800 individuals were entered on the Sex Offender Registry by the end of FY98.

power and cooling costs by one-third, and increase database capacity. Moreover, the upgrade will allow the state to reduce the overall cost level of future upgrades by standardiz-

Programmer Analyst Dwayne Lee is checking data on an Access '97 database. The program he is checking is
one he wrote for the GBI Finance Section

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
YEAR 2000
AFIS Upgrade - The AFIS 21 project is an upgrade of the existing AFIS to ensure Year 2000 (Y2K) compliance. In addition, the upgrade will allow the State of Georgia to improve identification response times, reduce maintenance,

ing operating systems. The upgrade has been funded through the Y2K process and a contract executed with the vendor to perform the necessary work.
LABORATORY lNFORMAnON MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (LIMS)
The GBI is currently in the process of implementing a LIMS for the Division of Forensic Science. The

LIMS will be a "standardized" system capable of meeting the laboratory's requirements and Y2K compliance issues. In addition, the LIMS system will provide for an improved level of completeness and timeliness of services rendered by laboratory personnel. Information collected by the LIMS includes evidence-tracking data, which are essential for chain of custody and court testimony and case management data, which includes resource accountability and court processing information. LIMS will have an inventory control feature that is vital in tracking evidence such as drugs after a case has been processed by crime lab personnel. Also, LIMS will feature the capability to present test resultsin standardized formats. The LIMS project has been funded under the Y2K process and a Request for Proposal (RFP) has been released. Vendor responses are expected in September 1998.



PROCBSCONTROLAND

EMBEDDED SYSTEMS

Y2K compliance issues relating to the process control and embedded systems have been identified and solutions are being determined based upon replacing or upgrading

46

GeorgiaBureau ofInvestigation

Georgia CrimeInformation Center

current systems. Budget requests are being prepared to fund solutions to these problems.
COURTAUTOMATION
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, Justice Information, is a case management system capable of extracting and transmitting final disposition data to the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) and updating the Computerized Criminal History (CCH) database. The Baldwin County court system is evaluating the second package, Judicial Justice System Integration. The System Integration system will interface with a livescan 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 disposition 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 Georgia Courts Automation Commission also has a statewide license for an automated case management 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 twenty-five (25) SUSTAIN sites transmitting final disposition data to GCIC.
CRIMINAL]USTICE RECORDS IMPROVEMENT (C]RI) PLAN
During the past year, the Georgia Criminal Justice Records Improvement Plan implementation continued. Record completeness increased by more than 15% and several milestones such as disposition backlog elimination were achieved. Based upon this progress, the two required plan updates have also received federal approval. The plan's goal remains to improve the state's criminal justice records to meet national guidelines for completeness and accuracy. The plan governs the use of federal grant monies dedicated to this effort and covers the fiscal years through 1999.
NATIONAL CRIMINAL HISTORY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (NCHIP) GRANT
In FY98, the State of Georgia submitted a grant request of $995,000 to the National Criminal History Improvement Program (NCHIP) for an imaging archiving and retrieval system. This system will allow for the capture or storage of mugshots

and images. It will replace the microfilm process currently in operation and will enable agencies throughout the state to have real time access to criminal fingerprint cards and photographs. The image archival system will be linked to the state's Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS), Computerized Criminal History (CCH) database, Sex Offender Registry and Hot files. It will also be available for sharing with other state agencies, local law enforcement agencies and investigators statewide.
The State of Georgia received a grant for $515,000 from the National Criminal History Improvement Program in FY98. This grant money has been used to reimburse local law enforcement agencies for the purchase or upgrade of live scan devices capable of submitting fingerprint and arrest data electronically to the Georgia Crime Information Center.

GeargiaBureau a/Investigation

Georgia Crimelnfannation Center 47

STATUS OF PREVIOUSLY AWARDED GRANT PROJECTS
AFIS Award - $1,500,000
Payment of $1.5 million was made to NEC for the successful completion of the NATMS upgrade project.
Live Scan Award - $505,000
Fifteen law enforcement agencies are transmitting fingerprint images and data electronically to GCIC. Six of the fifteen agencies are NCHIP recipients. The total live scan reimbursement for FY98 is $152,682.80. Disbursement of grant monies to local law enforcement agencies, purchasing or upgrading their live scan systems will continue until funds are exhausted.
Domestic Violence Award - $30,000
Kennesaw State University completed the Temporary Protection Order (TPO) research in January 1998 and the findings were presented to the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC). The research provided information on the origins of petitions, the number of petitions and final orders, and the content of forms used. The payout of $30,000 concludes the supplemental award grant for the TPO project.
Advanced State Award Program (ASAP), Statewide Courts Database - $249,910
The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) contracted with Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) to design the statewide court database. GTRI is currently testing with GCIC to ensure that the various data elements and transmission requirements are accurate. The Advance State Award Program (ASAP) focuses on the protection order component of the statewide court database, which will support all levels ofGeorgia'sjudicial system.

48

Georgia-Bureau ofInvestigation

o

Georgja CrimeInfarmation Center
Pictured Left: Computer Operators like Artie Dewberry (pictured) are responsible for troubleshooting the AFIS and Live Scan systems.

LOCAL ASSISTANCE GRANT
FUND
Georgia's Department of Community Affairs awarded a grant in the amount of $550,000. This grant was given to five local agencies at $110,000 per agency to purchase a remote site fingerprint workstation. With the implementation ofthese fingerprint workstations, remote site agencies will have the ability to conduct both tenprint and latent print searches and make real time identifications ofsuspected felons.
REMOTE SITE INSTALLATIONS
During FY98, three local law enforcement agencies Clayton County Sheriffs Office, Cobb County Police Department and Cobb County Sheriffs Office purchased a Remote Site Fingerprint Workstation and began searching the State of Georgia's Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems' fingerprint database.

AGENCIES THAT HAVE RECEIVED THE
loCAL ASSISTANCE GRANT
ATHENS-CLARKE POLICE DEPARTMENT
BIBB COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
COLUMBUS POLICE DEPARTMENT
RICHMOND COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
WHITFIELD COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
10 LOCAL AND 2 FEDERAL AGENCIES THAT ACCESS AND SEARCH
THE STATE'S FINGERPRINT DATABASE:
A nANTA POLICE DEPARTMENT CHATHAM COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
CLAYTON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE COBB COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
COBB COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE DEKALB COUNTY POLICY DEPARTMENT DOUGHERTY COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION FULTON COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT LOWNDES COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
SAVANNAH POLICE DEPARTMENT UNITED STATES SECRET SERVICE

GeorgiaBureau ofInvestigation

GeorgiaCYimeInfannation Center 49

GCIC INTERNAL PERFORMANCE AUDIT
During the past year, an internal performance audit of GCIC operations was conducted. Its goal was to determine work units' success in meeting assigned missions, draw attention to discrepancies and suggest solutions. The report was finished and corrective action completed.
I I AUDIT SECTION
During FY98, the Audit Section continued three key programs targeting the security and quality of the Georgia Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) network and the improvement ofGeorgia's computerized Criminal History Record data base. This major CJIS network component has been a vital decision-making tool for criminal justice officials and other public and private users authorized by law.
During the latter half of FY98, the CJIS network audit team expanded to five auditors, who were responsible for biennial audits of all agencies operating CJIS network terminals. With the network numbering more than 1,000 agency sites, the FBI-imposed biennial requirement made expansion a critical issue. FY98 represented the second year of the biennial audit cycle. The audit team completed audits needed to meet biennial requirements.

During FY98, audit staff conducted 551 compliance audits. This team covered more than 52,000 road miles in pursuit of their mission. In addition, team members provided more than 219 hours of training in CJISrelated matters to 247 students. CJIS network audits assess compliance with federal law and Georgia codes Sections 35-3-34 through 35-3-38, and the rules of the GCIC Council (the Georgia Board of Public Safety).
The two remaining programs in the audit section are federally funded and derive from the Edward Byrne Program for Criminal History Record Improvement. One program focuses on compliance auditing ofcriminaljustice agencies which deals with state law requiring the fingerprinting of arrestees and the submission of final disposition reports. The remaining program involved research oflocal criminal records for information on previously unreported final disposition reports. The reporting of final disposition reports is mandated by Georgia Code Section 35-3-36.
During FY98, two federally funded employees transferred to available positions in the CJIS network. In FY98, a total of 203 fingerprinting/disposition reporting audits were conducted. Audits disclosed varied levels ofcompliance with reporting requirements and generated a number of requests for training on the process of

taking fingerprints and in the reporting offmal disposition reports. Training needs were handled by GCIC/AFIS personnel. A total of22,899 previously unreported disposition reports for felony charges were completed through research of 47,497 local criminal justice records during the reporting period. Members of these teams in pursuit of their job assignments consumed more than 40,000 road miles. Federal funding continues into FY99 during which time, three additional positions will be added to expand work completed in FY98 and an Operations Supervisor for federal grant management will be acquired.
The above achievements would not have been possible without the interactions of the entire GCIC division working as a team for an overall common objective: To provide the best criminal justice services. FY99 will also involve a FBI biennial audit ofGCIC and designated local ClIS network sites.
GEORGIA FIREARMS
PROGRAM
The Georgia Firearms Program provides instant background checks on persons wishing to purchase handguns from federally licensed fireamls dealers pursuant to Georgia law and the provisions of the federal "Brady Act". Background checks ensure that persons

50

GeorgiaBureau ofinvestigation

GeorgiaCrimeInformation Onter

prohibited by either state or federal laws are barred from the purchase of handguns.
The Georgia Firearms Program processed 82,740 handgun instant background checks generated from telephonic requests during FY98. The program was operational six days a week from 8:00 A.M. until 10:00 P. M. and from 8:00 A. M. until 6:00 P. M. on Sunday. The program was closed on Christmas Day.
Instant background checks resulted in 75,954 or 91 % of the checks being approved for the handgun sale. Of these checks, the Firearms Program personnel approved 68% instantly, requiring no further action.
On October 1, 1996, the Gun Control Act of 1968 (l8U.S.C. 922(g)) was amended to provide for a prohibition of persons from receiving or possessing firearms "who have been convicted in any court of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence." During FY98, 413 sales were denied for this reason.
In May 1997, an agreement was entered into between the GBI and VeriFAX, LLC of Nashville, Tennessee to provide an on-line instant background check service to large volume firearm dealers in Georgia. This service, which became active in September 1997, allows firearms dealers to enter and receive the same information they would receive from a Firearms Program operator,

without going through the operator, saving both the firearms dealer and the Firearms Program time and expense. During FY98, VeriFAX processed a total of 15,405 transactions or 19% of the total

number of transactions. The total cost to the Firearms Program for this service was $44,348.00 for FY98. This amounts to approximately $2.88 per transaction.

FIREARMS PROGRAM FISCAL YEAR 1998

TOTAL CALLS ANSWERED TOTAL TRANSACTIONS TOTAL TRANSACTIONS ApPROVED TOTAL TRANSACTIONS DENIED

77,732 82,740 75,954 6,786

REASONS FOR DENIAL: FELONY CONVICTION OPEN FELONY ARREST
(No DISPOSITION)
OUTSTANDING FELONY WARRANT MENTAL HEALTH REASONS F AMILY VIOLENCE RELATED

1,627 4,660
85 1 413

Call-Center Operators Iike Yvette Walker respond to the thousands of requests from federally Iicensed firearms dealers for instant background checks on persons wanting to purchase a firearm.

DIVISION OF FORENSIC SCIENCES
184 POSITIONS $11,287,185 BUDGET

GeorgiaBureauofInvestigation

Division ofForensic Scieru:es 53
GEORGIA BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION DIVISION OF FORENSIC SCIENCES
ORGANIZATIONAL CHART

MILTON E. NIX, JR.
DIRECTOR

TERRY MILLS, III
DEPUTY DIRECTOR

ADMINISTRATION ENVIRONMENfAL COMPLIANCE
LIMS LIAISON

~-f- "~
"'~

DR. GEORGEL. HERRIN,]R.
AssISTANT DEPlITY DIRECfOR OF OPERAnONS AssISTANT QuAlifY MANAGER

KAREN E. SCOTI
AsSISTANT DEPlITY DIRECfOR OF OPERAnONS

GARY G. THEISEN
AsSISTANT DEPlITY DIRECfOR QUAlifY MANAGER

DR. KRIs L. SPERRY
CHIEF MEDICAL EXAMINER

DONALD G. ROBERTSON
AsSISTANT DEPlITY DIRECfOR OF ADMINISTRAnON

54

Georgia Bureau o fInvestigation

DIVISION OF FORENSIC SCIENCES

NORTHWEST GEORGIA
LABORATORY
The John Frank McConnell GBI Crime Laboratory in Summerville, Georgia was completed and dedicated in October 1997. The Laboratory is operational providing Toxicology, Blood Alcohol, Firearms Identification, Criminalistics, Arson and Drug Identification. In the 1998 General Assembly, funding was provided to staff a Regional Medical Examiner Operation in the Laboratory. Autopsies will begin in the new morgue beginning in Fiscal Year 1999. This will be the second Regional Medical Examiner's Office and the third in the GBI system.

Division ofForensic Sciences
Pictured Left: Governor Zell Miller addresses the crowd of local and state officials gathered for the dedication ceremony ofthe GBl's newest regional crime laboratory located in Summerville, Georgia. Pictured Below: Other distinguished speakers included Georgia Congressman Bob Barr.

The GBI's new crime laboratory located in Chattooga County was dedicated to the memory of John Frank McConnell, who at age 21 was the youngest sheriff in Georgia's history.

GeorgiaBureau ofInvestigation
I I QUALITYFocus

IPRODUCTIVITY

Division ofForensicSciences 55

In FY98, the primary strategic direction for DOFS was "Quality Assurance." During this fiscal year, the major focus was to lay the groundwork needed for the Lab System to become accredited through the American Society ofCrime Laboratory Directors (ASCLD) and the International Organization of Standards (ISO - 9000).
Over the past year, DOFS' resources have been stretched to meet demands placed on the system. Quality, however, must be our primary directive. Through the quality initiative begun in FY97, DOFS has standardized procedures and ensured that each case is processed according to standards that meet strict scientific and legal scrutiny. Scientists now conduct peer reviews on each case prior to release of the report. The installation of these quality procedures is a proactive move to prevent the kind of laboratory procedural failures that have affected other crime labs that have neither set nor followed similar quality programs.
The quality initiative has nearly completed the work necessary for accreditation and certification, which will be completed in FY99. Great progress toward a total quality system has been made; however, it has not been without cost. Production and case turnaround dropped in FY98.

13m)

COMPLETED SERVICES
FY93 -FY98
119953

102189

1~ 1997
SERVICES COMPLETED DECREASED WHILE CASE TURN-AROUND TIME INCREASED

56

GeorgiaBureau ofInvestigation

Division ofForensic Sciences

UNWORKED DOFS SERVICE REQUESTS AT THE END OF EACH FISCAL YEAR
FY92 -FY98

25000

22500

20000

17500

15000

12500

10000

7500

5000
2500 R1------S343 o 133

FY92

FY93

/ ----.

/

11189

5985

8504

FY94

FY95

FY96

J

/

/
7

2~ 115

/

/

8018

FY97

FY98 *

As a result of the lower number of services completed and a higher case tum-around time, a case backlog developed in the Crime Lab during FY98. This downturn is the result of a number of factors affecting DOFS' ability to complete casework in a timely fashion:
Increased Caseload/
Demand for Forensic Services - More services are being requested of the Crime Lab.
Stiffer Penalties -
Defendants have more to lose and are more likely to fight charges in court, necessitating the full processing of evidence by the Crime Lab.

Loss of Personnel -
DOFS faces stiff competition for scientific personnel, creating a constant turnover of positions.
Impact of Quality
Initiative - Other crime laboratory systems that have become accredited have experienced a 15 25% reduction in productivity as a result.
Only Practical Service
Provider - No practical public or private lab can both process the evidence and provide courtroom testimony as inexpensively as DOFS.
Greater Case Scrutiny -
Each case is scrutinized more heavily from a scientific and legal standpoint.

Greater Technological
Capability - To be effective in court proceedings, DOFS must make use of the most up-to-date technology - usually the most expensive.
DOFS is forced to limit
services on each case To insure cases are completed, many services are not being completed.
More is demanded on
each case - Presenting cases in court is often requiring that virtually all evidence in a case be tested.
Types of drug cases are
changing - Methamphetamines are increasing as a popular drug of choice. The testing of

Georgia Bureau ofInvestigation

Division a/ForensicSciences 57

this drug is more complex and time consuming. Significant increase in death cases - Several major counties are turning their autopsies over to the Crime Lab. These cases have the greatest impact on demands for evidence processing.

Because of the serious challenges facing the Crime Lab, a public commission was formed in FY98 to look at the current lab crisis while also planning a long-term strategy to prevent future resource shortfalls in DOFS. The Commission to Assess State Crime Laboratory Needs into the 21st

Century is made up of all major customer and stakeholder groups served by the Crime Lab. The final report of the Commission is due in early FY99.

SERVICES COMPLETED BY LABSlTE

r

-;

--r r..........

.

r-1-__- ..........................................................

+- . ~-G-~~ Maco~1 Cohnnb~!~~~,,~ SUllllrefVille

I 1994, 5573r 6078: 87691 61761 670+ __ 9905
~.~:-;~~~=;~1-=-::~1: n_:~::._~~!;:!.~.~:J .--~32i

r--r998:--66470t-

I I :

I

65s-slr-_58431---4932~-

, i II



770i
I
I

----833-5 --2352;

II

]

+-- t-.-_-::" --- _. --_ L. . :*FY91TOt8lsincltiJe-2004-aaiFlnlSfrativeseiVicesnotiiftri6i1fOCi to 000 labsite. -- i

t. - .._..__. _._~n -.

..J

58

GeorgiaBUredU ofInvestigation

SERVICES By FUNCTION

Division a/ForensicSciences

1994! 1995

1996!

1997

1998

--f------f---.----+----- -----1

!----jjToodAICOhOI---

~_.

.__.

. _.. . ._..

i

Criminalistics

r--------Jjfug ID ----.---
1FfrearmsTD

16768! 18747

_.

..__L._.._._.. ._.

20571

1726

39394 i 40386
2718 i 2547-

23190: 23591

17227

.__ _ ~._-- -.-.-_--..-..- --;_=_

16191

1684

1167

45153: 48907 40600

6707; 7182 6561

~

Latent Prints

23981

2180

24991

3072

2451

[_.... . ..--P-athology----- -----99531 935 1 ...... 9-575r--~f5-4-0 -.82[9-

t

Photography

Lt----Q-u-e--s.t-ione .d.--Document-s

,437

470 i

405

294

---.-----.--1- -.---.... --.-..-----....,. - - - - --.- _- --.

1542!

1222

1201 1 1366

903

!

Serology/DNA

33281

3133

37131

3909

3924

!i---------.--------.----.--.--------------- ~--------T-------- - - - - . _ ' - - . - - - - - - - - - - - - -..-0.--.

TOXicology

15200 i 15306

19077 i 18683

15205

i.

.

..

.

.__._. .....__..

--.-.- .....- ...- - - . - - -..- ....,.-.---.--..-.----.-.... f--.-.-- .-----~'- . - -..--...- - - -....- . - -..--..- ...

i Miscellaneous Admin

:

i

2614

5638

r! ---

--------"

'

: .

~~==--=--==~~~:~~rI9mll~

OllIER LAB FUNCTIONS

~

~FY94 FY95 I!Y96 FY9!__~!Y98'_-l

rCo.urrlrppe-arances.~-. -..-'---- --. --------..l ..-- ---.-.--.-- - 1 -- --.-.--..

iScientist Hours

I 9,096

8,765 8,611 9,3941 8,988 i

iAutopies Performed
~--_._----------_.._-------------- ---

1,588

1,428 1,438 1,6081 ** 1,822

----.--

.

. . __-0_-

-- - - -.-----L-.------------

,*__F_ig_u_re_ no l_onger available:J__.._

_. _. _.._ _ _. _ _._

._.

I . _. ._._.._ __.._-j_



._ ...

** Does not include 517 additional Autopsy Related

ll. M_e_d ical Exami.ner Services P._ er_ for._m._.ed

L .___ __---.1I_.

I,

_

GeorgiaBureau ofInvestigation
I I PATHOLOGY

Division ofForensicSciences 59

NUMBER OF MEDICAL EXAMINER SERVICES COMPLETED
FY85 -FY98

2500,.--
2000 +-

_ 2339
__,1-

+- 1500

---:~~~~~~-

I I~Total GBI Autopsies

1000 +----------,.4ll~:..:....---------

500 .JrtIf~IIll----------------

* D O+-~____r-...__---r----,__,_r_--.-___,..___r____r_-..__-r-___,

~~~~~~~ ~~~~

~

The Crime Lab's Medical Examiner Staff conducted more autopsies than in any year in the history of the GBI. The primary reason for the increase was several counties turned over their autopsies to DOFS. The additional death cases had a serious impact throughout all lab service areas.

I NEW TECHNOLOGIES
FY98 was a productive year for the Serology/DNA Section of the laboratory. After an extensive validation process, a new, faster DNA testing methodology was brought on line for routine casework in November 1997. This new method, based on capillary electrophoresis ofshort tandem repeats (STRs), gives the scientists in this section the abil-

ity to complete analysis on cases in approximately 25% ofthe time previously required and still provide levels ofdiscrimination equal to what was obtained with the methods it replaced. Because this method also utilizes some semiautomated equipment, it means that the staff can also be more productive because they have to spend less hands-on time with each case. The Serology/DNA Section of GBI-DOFS was one of the first (if not the first) labo-

ratory to begin utilization of all 13 ofthe DNA markers which are now required for entry of data into the national DNA database. Unsolved cases were reworked with the STR method in order to include information from those samples in the DNA database.

60

GeorgiaBureau ofInvestigation

Division ofForensicSciences

In February 1998, the section began a dedicated effort to begin the utilization of the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), which is the DNA counterpart to the Automated Fingerprint Identification System.

CODIS contains DNA profiles of convicted offenders and samples from casework. In June, the task of data input for data obtained since 1991 was completed and the first searches were performed.

As a result of that initial search and the reanalysis of the unsolved cases with the STR markers, three previously unknown case-to-case associations were identified. As more information is entered into the system, there is a strong probability that more associations will be discovered. Since that initial search of the DNA profiles, two more caseto-case associations have been identified. DNA profiles from approximately 2,200 convicted sex offenders and 940 case samples have been entered into the system.

CODIS Administrator and GBI Crime Lab Scientist Ted Staples begins a comparison search ofDNA profiles collected from cases where there is no known suspect to the CODIS database system in
search of a possible match.

GBI Crime Lab Scientists are one of the first in the country to utilize the latest technology in DNA testing - Capillary Electrophoresis (CE). The benefits to CE are extraordinary. For example, this technology is revolutionizing DNA testing to allow scientists to spend more time analyzing the data while spending a fraction ofthe time
preparing the sample.

HISTORY OF THE
GBI

Georgia Bureau ofInve5tigation

History ofthe GBI

63

THE HISTORY

implement a Criminal Justice Information System for Georgia. Criminal

OF THE

activity of all types was increasing

GBI

dramatically across the state, and Gov-

ernor Carter was convinced that more

timely and accurate information would

What would come to be known as be extremely beneficial to state and

the Georgia Bureau of Investigation local law enforcement agencies. On the

was created in 1937 by the State General recommendation of this task force,

Assembly. Along with the Georgia State Governor Carter issued an Executive

Patrol, lawmakers created the Division Order in June of 1972, creating the

of Criminal Identification, Detection, Georgia Crime Information Center

Prevention and Investigation. The

(GCIC). When GCIC began operation

agency was created to assist local law in 1973, as part of the GBI, it became

enforcement agencies in fighting the the focal point in Georgia for the collec-

growing crime problem. Since that

tion, storage, rapid retrieval and dis-

time, thousands of perpetrators, from semination of law enforcement and

common criminals and local street-level criminal justice related information.

drug dealers to serial killers and drug

The second turning point for the

czars, have been brought to justice

GBI came on February 28,1974, when

through the efforts of the GBI.

the Georgia General Assembly past

A milestone in Georgia law en- Governor Carter's proposed Executive

forcement occurred in February of 1952 Reorganization Act and later amend-

when the Fulton County Crime Labora- ments, making the GBI an independent

tory became the State Crime Laboratory agency.

and part of the Department of Public

The Reorganization Act estab-

Safety. It became the second statewide lished the organizational framework of

crime laboratory in the United States. the GBI that still exists today. That

The founder and director of the Fulton framework consists of three divisions:

County Laboratory, Dr. HermanJones, the Investigative Division, the Division

introduced forensic laboratory work to of Forensic Sciences and the Georgia

Georgia in the early 1940's. Dr. Jones' Crime Information Center.

Fulton County position was transferred

The role of the GBI has ex-

to the state where he continued as the panded dramatically in the past 60

laboratory director.

years. It has faced many challenges in

Another turning point for the GBI meeting the demands of providing up-

occurred in February of 1972 when

to-date investigative, forensic science

GovernorJimmy Carter commissioned and crime information services, as well

a task force to establish a master plan to as supporting Georgia's entire criminal

64

Georgia Bureau ofInvestigation

justice system. The GBI takes pride in the fact that it has evolved over the past six decades into a respected law enforcement agency with highly trained and dedicated professional employees. From all of its state-of-the-art technologies, scientific capabilities, sophisticated computers and more than a half century of experience, today's GBI prides itself on its most important asset - The individual employees who have dedicated their lives to public safety and serving the citizens of the Great State of Georgia.
In 1940 when Governor E.D. Rivers appointed the first director to manage the GBI, the Bureau's first agent, Arthur E. Hutchins, was awarded the distinguished honor of being named Director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Today the GBI falls under the direction of Milton E. Nix,}r., who is only the 14th person to serve in such an esteemed and wellrespected capacity.

History a/the GBI