Georgia Bureau of Investigation annual report 2003

INVESTIGATIVE
Operations
T he Investigative Division is the largest division of the GBI and is primarily responsible for assisting the nearly 800 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 three inspectors.

REGIONAL
Offices

Special agents assigned to the 15 regional investigative 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. Consistent with recent
years, the Investigative Division has placed its greatest concentration of resources on the investigation of violent crimes against persons.

Regional Office Locator

Region 1, Calhoun

Region 9, Thomasville

Region 2, Greenville

Region 10, Conyers

Region 3, Americus

Region 11, Athens

Region 4, Douglas

Region 12, Eastman

Region 5, Statesboro

Region 13, Perry

Region 6, Milledgeville

Region 14, Kingsland

Region 7, Thomson

Region 15, Sylvester

Region 8, Gainesville

Command Staff
Kent E. Wilson Deputy Director
Robert Hardin Inspector
Don Robertson Inspector
Lee Sweat Inspector

FY'03: Investigative Hours Expended

Crimes Against Persons

Property Crimes

Death Investigations...... 51,724 Child Abuse.................... 27,804 Crime Scene.................. 15,981 Assault........................... 13,428 EOD................................. 7,720 Sex Crimes...................... 7,196 Robbery........................... 6,787 Terroristic Acts................. 5,835 Public Corruption............. 4,258 Kidnapping.......................... 872 Crime Analysis.....................450

Theft.............................. 46,678 Burglary........................... 5,069 Forgery............................ 4,913 Arson................................1,492 Vehicle Theft....................... 975 Criminal Damage............... 155

FY'99-FY'03: Investigative Hours Expended

180,000

160,000 140,000 120,000

100,000

80,000

60,000

40,000

20,000 0

Drugs

Persons Property Other/Misc.

1999 122,805
F 2000 114,778 Y 2001 109,532
117,141 2002
107,534 2003

143,433 120,567 132,688 130,101 113,648

64,134 56,113 52,136 55,449 59,309

45,935 54,676 74,269 104,917 94,079

DRUG
Enforcement
T hree GBI regional drug enforcement offices, along with the High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA), the State Drug Task Force, and GBI supervised multi-jurisdictional task forces work to combat illegal drug activity throughout Georgia. Personnel in these offices often work in conjunction with other state, local and federal law enforcement agencies.
REGIONAL DRUG OFFICES
The GBI's drug enforcement efforts are led by three regional drug enforcement offices (RDEOs) located in Gainesville, Savannah and Macon. The offices oversee drug investigations in 79 counties. The drug-related investigative activity generated during FY'03 in the three regional drug enforcement offices, 15 regional investigative offices, and by the State Drug Task Force is depicted as follows: Seized $38,223,969 in contraband Initiated 1,272 drug investigations Expended 107,534 agent hours.
DRUG TASK FORCES
The GBI participates in 13 multi-jurisdictional task force (MJTF) programs focused on drug enforcement. These work units include traditional drug task force programs statewide, and the High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force, which is located in Atlanta. Drug task forces are staffed by a total of 100 sworn officers/agents and 17 administrative/support staff employees. During FY'03, MJTFs: Initiated 3,628 investigations Arrested 3,105 offenders Made drug seizures valuing $52,816,000 Asset forfeitures are valued at $159,265.

Drug Enforcement
Gainesville RDEO Macon RDEO
Savannah RDEO
State Drug Task Force High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area D.A.R.E. Unit
Appalachian MJTF Altamaha MJTF Cherokee MultiAgency Narcotics Squad
East Central Georgia DTF
West Georgia MJTF Pataula MJTF
South Georgia DTF Haralson-Paulding
DTF Tri-Circuit MJTF Ocmulgee MJTF Oconee Dublin MJTF Piedmont-Northern
Metro Fugitive Squad Middle Georgia Fugitive Squad
Juvenile Crimes Unit

The Metro Fugitive Squad and the Middle Georgia Fugitive Squad initiated 2,365 investigations and arrested 1,389 fugitives during FY'03.

D. A. R. E. U N I T

The Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) Unit is responsible for training all of the D.A.R.E-certified law enforcement officers in Georgia, as well as presenting the D.A.R.E. curriculum in several schools.
The GBI D.A.R.E. Unit trained 48 officers

for certification in FY'03. There are a total of 260 active D.A.R.E. officers in Georgia.
The curriculum was presented in 673 schools in 167 school systems to 142,453 students (grade K-12) in the past year.

SPECIALIZED
Units
T he GBI specialized work units play vital roles in the daily operations of the Investigative Division. The units support other GBI offices and local criminal justice agencies in specialized areas of expertise.

STATE HEALTH CARE FRAUD CONTROL UNIT

The State Health Care Fraud Control Unit (SHCFCU) is staffed with prosecutors from the Department of Law; auditors from the Department of Audits; special financial investigators, special agents and criminal intelligence analysts from the GBI; and requisite support staff. The unit's function is to identify, arrest and prosecute providers of health care services who defraud the

Medicaid program. In addition, the unit is
tasked with investigating allegations of abuse and neglect involving patients who receive care at Medicaid-funded health care facilities such as nursing homes. During FY'03, SHCFCU was expanded to address the increasing number of patient abuse investigations occurring in the state.

Specialized Work Units
Crime Analysis Unit (CAU)
Crime Scene Specialists (CSS)
Behavioral Sciences Section (Profiling)
Financial Investigations Unit (FIU)
State Health Care Fraud Control Unit
(SHCFCU)
Special Operations Unit (SOU)
Bomb Disposal Unit (BDU)
Technical Services Team
Intelligence Unit Training Unit Polygraph Unit
Accreditation Investigative Staff
Services Communication Center

FINANCIAL INVESTIGATIONS
UNIT
The Financial Investigations Unit (FIU) provides investigative support to other GBI work units and criminal justice agencies throughout Georgia in the areas of financial- and computer-related crimes.
Because FIU is primarily an investigative support unit, its statistics relating to arrests, stolen and recovered property, as well as seized contraband are often reported by other GBI work units. Therefore, the statistics are not reported by FIU even though FIU personnel contributed significantly to the resolution of cases. The unit routinely assist in conducting major corruption cases, which often involve public officials. It also conducts evidence retrieval/processing services involving computers that are believed to contain evidence related to various crimes.
FIU initiated 223 cases during FY'03 and continues to lead the state by developing strategies and expertise to combat computer crimes.
The GBI views computer-oriented crimes as a

POLYGRAPH UNIT

The GBI Polygraph Unit provides criminal justice preemployment polygraph examinations and criminal examina-

FY'03: Breakdown of Polygraph Exams

tions for GBI work units and

other Georgia law enforce-

ment agencies. The

Polygraph Unit con-

ducted 3,638 poly-

graph examinations in FY'03 Preemployment 57 percent of

Criminal Investigations

those tests were preemployment

57 %

43 %

exams and 43 per-

cent were exams for

criminal investiga-

tions.

FY'03: Confession Rate/Deception

Known Deceptive
(Did not confess)
34%

Polygraph examinations

often result in confes-

sions by suspects who

are being tested for

their participation

Confessions

in commissions of specific crimes.

66 %

In FY'03, GBI polygraphers

received confes-

sions in 66 per-

cent of the exami-

nations where

there was indication

that the subject was

deceptive.

rapidly emerging and highly technical area of law enforcement that will require significant growth in resources and capabilities. FIU is uniquely positioned to lead this effort

and to develop additional resources aimed at combating these crimes.

ACCREDITATION
UNIT
In November of 1998, the GBI was awarded its initial accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA), becoming the first and only state law enforcement agency in Georgia to achieve national accreditation.
In August of 2001, the GBI went through its first reaccreditation on-site and was found to be in compliance with all 304 CALEA standards that are applicable by function to the GBI. As a result of this on-site visit, the GBI was re-accredited in November of 2001.
The GBI will seek re-accreditation in 2004. In the interim, the GBI will continue to demonstrate professionalism and excellence in law enforcement by adhering to policies and procedures that have been validated by the accreditation process.

CRIME ANALYSIS UNIT

The Crime Analysis Unit (CAU) provides expert

crime analysis (behavioral science) and crime

scene examina-

tion services to law enforcement agencies

FY'02: CAU Hours Expended

on a statewide basis. The serv-

Crime Analysis

ices include providing

3%

offender profiles

and investiga-

tive strategies.

In addition,

crime scene

specialists

provide

highly technical evi-

Crime Scene Processing

dence identification

97 %

and collection

services using

state-of-the-art

forensic equipment

and methods.

INTELLIGENCE UNIT

T he Intelligence Unit serves as an analytical criminal information repository and provides intelligence gathering and dissemination services to agencies throughout Georgia. The unit processed 9,518 requests for intelligence information, which included 300 background checks at

the request of the Governor's Office and 1,092 standard background checks during FY'03.
The GBI's forensic artist is assigned to this unit and during FY'03 worked with victims and investigators in gathering information to depict 224 composite drawings of criminal suspects

and produced three threedimensional reconstructions depicting the likeness of unidentified persons based on skeletal remains.

BOMB DISPOSAL TEAM

T he Bomb Disposal

Unit (BDU) provides statewide assistance in performing render-

FY'03: Bomb Disposal-Related Investigations
50

45 40 34 20

safe procedures on

explosive devices,

chemicals and other

40

volatile substances.

The BDU opened 195

cases in FY'03.

The GBI has four

30

specially equipped

bomb vans and three

remote robots that 20
are used to examine

packages, perform

render-safe proce-

dures and probe

10

structures.

4

3

The unit is in the

process of enhancing

its capabilities with

0

Hoax Devices

Bombing Events

Explosives Recovery/
Disposal Improvised
Explosive Device

Suspicious Package/ Explosive

Event Standby

an additional four

specialized bomb dis-

posal vehicles,

increasing the num-

ber of response vehi-

cles to eight. The program also is being
expanded to address the growing threat of weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Bomb technicians are certified to handle bombing situations involving hazardous materials and will expand this capability to address the threat presented by chemical and biological devices. GBI

bomb technicians have all ready received basic WMD training at the FBI Hazardous Devices School. The expansion will involve the acquisition of personal protective equipment and render-safe equipment that, when combined with existing training and knowledge, will form a capacity that has not previ-

ously existed in Georgia. This will serve as a segment of the National Domestic Preparedness Plan with relation to WMD threats.

CHILD ABUSE INVESTIGATIVE SUPPORT CENTER

The Child Abuse Investigative Support Center was established during August of 2000 to

FY'03: Child Abuse Investigative Support
Center

wound recognition. Criminal investigative analysts affiliated with the GBI's Crime Analysis Unit provide investigative con-

address the needs of the

sultations based upon expertise

GBI and other agencies

in the analysis of crimes

Cons1u6lta%tions

involved in child abuse

against children.

recognition and the

Members of the center

investigation of child

travel regularly through-

maltreatment.

out the state upon

The Center currently

request to furnish

preforms dual func-

instruction and train-

tions by providing

ing concerning topics

consultative assistance and on-site

Forensic Case Reviews

relating to child abuse and neglect. Statistical

training throughout the

83%

information regarding

state. Forensic patholo-

child abuse and child

gists, who are members of

deaths in Georgia main-

the GBI Medical Examiner's

tained by the center is used

Office, provide expertise

to support future child abuse

regarding child pattern injury and

curricula and programs.

GEORGIA INFORMATION SHARING ANALYSIS CENTER

Created by an Executive Order in 2003, the Georgia Information Sharing Analysis Center (GISAC) serves as the focal point for the collection, analysis, and

dissemination of information relative to threats or attacks of a terrorist nature, within and against the State of Georgia, its citizens or its infrastructure.

GISAC supports this mission by working in conjunction with local, state and federal agencies as well as members of the private sector.

INVESTIGATIVE
Excellence

E very year inspectors with the Investigative Division's Command Staff nominate investigations to be considered for the prestigious GBI Director's Award for Investigative Excellence.

Special Agent Bobby Stanley and his col- the Director's Award for Investigative

leagues at the Financial Investigations Unit Excellence. The unit received the award for

(FIU) were named the 2003 recipients of

its investigation into a case of Internet child

pornography that led to the arrest of a Macon man.
The case was brought to Agent Stanley's attention by the Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC). The Center reportedly received from another law enforcement agency some pornographic images of a female toddler, possibly as young as two years of age. It was believed that the child and the suspect lived somewhere in Georgia. Concerned for the child's safety, NCMEC contacted the GBI for help.
With the aid of Forensic Computer Specialist Vickie Adams and Special Agent

John Harrell (R-13, Perry), Agent Stanley was able to identify the child and trace the pornographic images to Troy Ray Bennett. Bennett's young victim was reportedly the daughter of a friend.
During the course of the investigation, two additional victims were identified. Bennett was charged with 59 counts of child exploitation in Bibb County and three counts of child exploitation and one count of child molestation in Twiggs County. Additional charges are expected.

GCIC
Operations
T he Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) is the chief provider of criminal justice information in the state of Georgia. With a staff of 127 employees, GCIC assists criminal justice agencies statewide and nationwide by providing round-the-clock access to needed information.

INFORMATION
Services

T he Criminal Justice Information System(CJIS) is a computerized network that provides law enforcement with access to important criminal justice information. Various databases make up the system, and the network is accessible 24 hours a day. GCIC services include:
The Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS)
Computerized Criminal History (CCH) record
Uniform Crime Reporting

(UCR) records.
CJIS also contains information on:
Wanted and missing persons
The Sexually Violent Offender Registry
The Protection Order Registry
Stolen property (vehicles, guns, boats, and securities, etc.
Access to other local, state and national files.

FINGERPRINT IDENTIFICATION
ELECTRONIC SUBMISSIONS: Electronic submissions refer to technology using "livescan" or a "card scan" device to electronically capture fingerprints at local booking stations and then transfer them to the GCIC's Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS). This process saves time and effort during the booking process and significantly improves the quality of post-arrest fingerprints. In addition, fingerprint checks for non-criminal justice purposes (e.g. employment, licensing, adoptions, etc.) may also be submitted electronically via such devices.
During FY'03, 21 additional local law enforcement and

Command Staff
Paul Heppner Deputy Director
Computer Services
Gib Heuett Assistant Deputy
Director
Information Services
Terry Gibbons Assistant Deputy
Director

applicant agencies began transmitting electronic fingerprint images and data to the state's AFIS via livescan and card scan devices. A total of 96 agencies currently submit arrest and applicant fingerprints electronically for their respective agencies and others for which they provide booking and applicant services. Electronic transmissions represent 78 percent of criminal and 13 percent of applicant fingerprint cards received for processing. The average processing time for electronic transmission is 15 minutes. This includes identification, transmission of responses to the booking agency, and where applicable, update and creation of a Georgia computerized criminal history record and electronic submission to the FBI.

REMOTE ACCESS: Remote terminals connected to the host AFIS are used to extend AFIS technology to the local agency for identification of arrested offenders and to allow for local searching of latent fingerprints lifted from crime scenes. Twenty-two local agencies access and search the state's fingerprint database via an AFIS remote fingerprint workstation. These agencies also may extend this service to surrounding jurisdictions.
A total of 11,079 tenprint and latent print searches were initiated from these AFIS remote terminals during FY'03. These inquiries resulted in 839 tenprint (offender identification) hits and 817 hits on latent prints left at crime scenes.

Plans & Program Development
J. William Holland Assistant Deputy Director
Compliance & Customer
Support

FY'03: Local Agencies with Remote Access

Athens-Clarke Police Department Atlanta Police Department Bibb County Sheriff's Office Chatham County Police Department Clayton County Sheriff's Office Cobb County Police Department Cobb County Sheriff's Office Columbus Police Department DeKalb County Police Department DeKalb County Sheriff's Office Dougherty County Sheriff's Office

Douglas County Sheriff's Office Fulton County Sheriff's Office Glynn County Sheriff's Office Gwinnett County Police Department Lowndes County Sheriff's Office Marietta Police Department Macon Police Department Richmond County Sheriff's Office Savannah Police Department Thomas County Sheriff's Office Whitfield County Sheriff's Office

George Emfinger Assistant Deputy
Director
Security Operations
Charles A. Severs Assistant Deputy
Director

FY'03 OPERATIONAL

ACTIVITY: The chart (to

right) represents significant operational activity associated with criminal, appli-

Activity

Production

AFIS Searches ................................................ 547,851

cant and juvenile fingerprint identification services. AFIS matches represent the

AFIS Matches .................................................. 328,716 Tenprint to Latent Inquiries .............................. 545,489

total number of hits made against stored fingerprints

Tenprint to Latent Hits .............................................. 79

of previous offenders.

Tenprint to latent inquiries

are those automated

searches made against the

Unsolved Latent Print file gerprint cards began to

receipt throughout FY'03

from criminal arrests and build. At the close of FY'02, due to reassignment of per-

applicant prints processed the average processing time sonnel, but increased sub-

daily. These are in addition for criminal cards was two missions and additional

to the direct latent search days from receipt. By the

budget cuts will create

queries performed by GBI's close of FY'03, the process- backlogs in FY'04.

Division of Forensic Science ing time had increased to

During FY'03, total sub-

or from AFIS remote sites. more than six days. The

missions of criminal finger-

Due to budget cuts experi- processing of applicant fin- print cards including live

enced in FY'03, backlogs of gerprint cards remained

scan transmissions

non-electronic criminal fin- current within five days of decreased 3.8 percent, while

submissions of applicant

fingerprint

FY'03: Production & Receipts

cards increased eight

percent over

500,000

FY'02 totals.

Receipts

400,000 300,000 200,000

Production
Approximately 28 percent of the total fingerprint identification workload is associated with non-criminal justice background checks.

100,000

0

FCianrgdesrprint CAaprpdliscant

CRIMINAL HISTORY REPOSITORY

At the close of FY'03, GCIC maintained fingerprint and criminal history records on 2,486,005 individuals. An additional 90,712 individuals were added to the Georgia Computerized Criminal History (CCH) file during the year, which represents a 3.8 percent growth rate. An additional 734,107

CCH records were updated with subsequent arrests or disposition information.
Approximately, 70 percent of all arrests dating from the early 1970s to the present have final dispositions reported. Eighty percent of all felony arrests reported in the last two to seven years have a final disposition reported. A total of 326,548 final dispo-

sition reports were posted to CCH records during FY'03, with 22 percent reported electronically from courts and prosecutors.
A total of 22,721 requests for special record reviews and corrections were completed during the fiscal year. These requests came from law enforcement/crimi-

nal justice agencies as well as attorneys and private individuals requiring record updates or modifications to ensure complete and accurate records.
A total of 1,390,688 Georgia CCH records were disseminated via the CJIS network to instate and out-ofstate criminal justice agencies.

COMPUTER SERVICES

The CJIS Network is a telecommunications network that provides local and state criminal justice agencies access to a variety of person, property and information files. During FY'03, 10,936 CJIS network terminals processed more than 138 million messages in support of criminal justice agencies within Georgia, the nation and around the world. The CJIS network had availability in excess of 99 percent during FY'03.
CONNECTIVITY CONVERSION: While maintaining normal network operations, GCIC, along with its CJIS customers, continued implementation of the upgrade to TCP/IP protocol for all connections. GCIC staff continued to work closely with terminal agency coordinators (TACs) and other personnel as agencies continued to plan for system upgrades. A critical part of the CJIS network conversion was the close working relationship that GCIC had with

the Georgia Technology Authority (GTA). CJIS customers connect through the state frame relay backbone managed by GTA. By the end of FY'03, 15 percent of agencies had converted to TCP/IP. The TCP/IP protocol provides GCIC and GTA with new possibilities for connectivity that may lower the cost, improve performance and provide for greater network security.
In FY'04, the evaluation of the Virtual Private Network (VPN) will achieve several objectives: meet FBI standards for data security; allow agencies much greater flexibility in connecting to the CJIS network; and allow lower cost option for CJIS network connection.
Also in the next fiscal year, GTA will be evaluating the new Multi-Protocol Layer Switching (MPLS) as a replacement for frame relay. MPLS offers significant improvement in increased bandwidth and lower costs for data connections.

SEXUALLY VIOLENT OFFENDER REGISTRY

The Georgia Sexually Violent Offender (SVO) Registry was enacted by the 1996 Georgia General Assembly and became operational during FY'97. Since that time, the GBI has reg-

istered 7,683 offenders, with 1,257 added during FY'03. More than 4,345 images of registered sex offenders have been placed on the Web site.
As a public service, the

GBI Web page was launched on the Internet in FY'98. During FY'03, the SVO registry portion of the Web page received more than 6,213,936 hits.

PROTECTIVE ORDER REGISTRY

In May 1997, the FBI established a National Protection Order File, and GCIC implemented the programs to access and update this federal file. During the 2001 session of the Georgia General Assembly, a bill passed the legislature and was signed giving GCIC authority to develop and operate a state protective order registry. The registry was operational effective July 1, 2002.
The Georgia Protective Order Registry (GPOR) is an online, Web-based service that stores protective orders issued by the Superior Courts of Georgia. The goal of this registry is to enhance victim safety by providing law enforcement officers, prosecuting attorneys, and the courts 24hour/seven-day-a-week access to protective orders issued by U.S. and international courts.
The registry process begins with the victim filing a protective order. A judge then issues the order and it is given to a court clerk to process. The clerk indexes the required data, electronically scans a copy of the order and also sends a hard copy of the order to the local sheriff's offices. The scanned copy is transmitted to the Georgia Superior Court Clerks Cooperative Authority (GSCCCA) server. GSCCCA compiles the orders and transmits them nightly to the GPOR. The GPOR system processes these orders, making them available on the Georgia Protective Order Registry secured

Web site. Order information is then transmitted to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) for inclusion in the national files.
Law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and the courts are authorized to access information in the registry. To access protective order registry information, agencies must have Internet capability and log on to the secured Web site using an assigned user ID and password.
There are currently ten standardized forms that are included on the registry:
Family Violence Ex Parte
Family Violence Six Month
Family Violence Permanent
Stalking Ex Parte
Stalking Six Month
Stalking Permanent
Stalking Criminal
Dismissal
Continuance
Modification.
Since implementation, more than 23,300 orders have been received and approximately 718 authorized users have been granted access to the Web site.

FIREARMS PROGRAM

INSTANT BACK-

GROUND CHECK: The Firearms Program pro-

FY'03: Firearms Program Activity

vides instant background checks pursuant to Georgia law and provi-

Total Telephone Calls Answered .......................... 85,576 Total Transactions .............................................. 190,969

sions of the federal

Total Transactions Approved .............................. 181,231

"Brady Act" on persons wishing to purchase firearms from federally

Total Transactions Denied ..................................... 3,292 Reasons for Denial:

licensed firearms dealers. Background checks ensure that people prohibited by either state or

Felony Conviction .................................................. 1,690 Outstanding Warrant (Fugitive) ................................. 656 Mental Health Reasons ................................................. 9

federal laws from possessing firearms are barred from purchasing them. The program is

Family Violence ........................................................ 429 NICS Denials ............................................................. 301 Under Indictment ....................................................... 207

operational six days a week from 8:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. and

Total Transactions Delayed ..................................... 6,466 Reason for Delay:

from 8:00 a.m. until

Total Transactions Delayed ..................................... 6,466

6:00 p.m. on Sundays. The program is closed on Christmas Day.

Felony Arrest (No Disposition) ................................. 5,975 Family Violence (No Disposition) ............................... 471

During FY'03, the

Firearms Program

changed its policy on

delaying the approval of firearms sales to individuals whose final dispositions for potentially disqualifying offenses could not be immediately located. Prior to the change in policy, GCIC could delay the firearms transaction until the status of the case was thoroughly researched. Now, the sale can only be delayed for three business days. If the disposition cannot be determined, then the gun purchase is neither approved nor denied by GCIC and the sale of the weapon is left to the dealer's discretion.
From July 2002 through December of the same year, a "delayed" response was issued 3,350 times. Despite the change in law, GCIC staff continues to research transactions for 21 days in an attempt to locate a final disposition. If the status of the case still cannot be obtained, the transaction becomes "unresolved." Followup research later resulted in approval or

denial of 51 percent (1,700) of the delayed firearms purchases. Of those transactions, 89 percent were approved, while 11 percent were denied. The majority of the purchases denied were due to felony convictions and outstanding indictments for felony charges.
In the cases where firearms are sold to individuals who were prohibited from possessing them, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms is notified and the weapon retrieved. Since the policy change, 17 retrievals were initiated, with five weapons recovered.
The Firearms Program processed 190,969 instant background checks from federally licensed firearms dealers during the 2003 fiscal year. This represents a seven percent decrease in volume over transactions processed in the previous fiscal year. Instant background checks resulted in 181,231 ( 95 percent) approved firearm

sales. Of the total checks processed, 135,104 (71 percent) were approved instantly, requiring no further action.
Envoy Automated Licensing Systems of Nashville, Tennessee, through their VeriFAX program, provides a point-of-sale instant background check service to large volume firearms dealers in Georgia. This service allows dealers to enter and receive the same information they would receive from a firearms program operator, without going through the operator, saving both the dealer and the firearms program time and expense. During

FORCIBLE FELON NOTIFICATION PROGRAM: A 2000 amendment to O.C.G.A. 1611-131 made it a felony for any person convicted of a forcible felony or on first offender probation for a forcible felony, to attempt to purchase a firearm.
Subsequently, in January 2001, GCIC implemented procedures to notify local law enforcement authorities when an instant background check determines that a person convicted of a forcible felony has attempted to purchase a firearm.
Within four to eight hours of a final determination that a potential purchaser is disqualified from buying a gun because of a forcible felony conviction or first offender probation, GCIC sends an Administrative Message via the CJIS network to the county sheriff and city police chief of the county and city in which the attempted purchase occurred. Copies of this message are sent to the district attorney and probation or

parole office (if appropriate for individuals currently on probation or parole as identified by the Department of Corrections' Offender Status file).
This message contains information on the subject and location of the dealer where the attempt occurred. Information is provided for possible criminal investigation and/or any further law enforcement action deemed appropriate. During FY'03: GCIC disseminated 415 messages regarding convicted forcible felons who attempted to purchase firearms.
Thirty-one individuals were on active probation or parole.
Law enforcement agencies have advised that 82 arrests have been made for attempt to purchase and/or possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

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 to interested citizens through the publication of "Crime in Georgia2002" and 90 special reports.
The UCR program also col-

lects special family violence act (FVA) incident reports. A total of 41,455 family violence incident reports were processed during FY'03.

COMPLIANCE
& Security

CJIS COMPLIANCE AUDITS
G CIC, as the Control Terminal Agency for the state, is responsible for biennial audits of Georgia criminal justice agencies operating computer terminals on the CJIS network. During FY'03, GCIC's CJIS Audit staff conducted 643 audits of local agencies. Audit production successfully closed the current biennial audit cycle. In addition, audit staff provided advisory services to local agencies. The Audit Team also administered 268 hours of training and testing to 1,115 criminal justice personnel. The FBI Access Integrity Unit regards the Georgia CJIS audit program as one of the best in the nation. This year's FBI audit results were unprecedented for Georgia. Not only was GCIC found in full compliance with all FBI issues, but also the composite error rate of 1.57 percent for locally-audited hot files was far below the current national average of 3.02 percent.

CCH COMPLIANCE AUDITS

The Computerized Criminal History (CCH) Compliance Audit is a valuable program that Georgia relies on to keep its CCH database up-to-date. New CCH audit requirements make continuation of this program imperative for Georgia's criminal justice system.
Utilizing federal funds awarded under the Edward Byrne Program for criminal history record improvement, GCIC grant staff conducts performance audits of Georgia criminal justice agencies, focusing on the reporting to GCIC of arrest fingerprint cards and corresponding final disposition information as required by state statute. In addition, grant staff researches local court and other criminal justice files seeking final disposition information that has not been

previously reported for arrests that are on the CCH file/database.
During FY'03, grant staff:
Conducted 272 CCH compliance audits
Researched 30,028 reported arrests sent to GCIC without a corresponding final disposition
Located final disposition information in 11,620 cases.
Such activity benefits not only criminal justice officials investigating criminal activity and adjudicating criminal cases, but also benefits the GCIC Firearms Program by providing information needed to properly process record check requests on persons attempting to purchase firearms.

COMPUTER SERVICES SECURITY OPERATIONS

During FY'03, GCIC received requests from federal, state and local law enforcement agencies for computerized investigative support in more than 2,026 high priority cases. A total of 5,277 reports were produced as a result of these requests. GCIC produced 370 reports, detailing inquiries of CJIS databases, in response to 404 requests for such assistance.

CUSTOMER
Support

G CIC's Customer Support Section is responsible for providing training and consultative services for Georgia's criminal justice agencies on all GCIC programs and services. During FY'03, 6,431 criminal justice employees received training from1,643 hours of instruction. Each staff member of this section is a certified P.O.S.T. (Peace Officers Standards & Training) instructor. In addition, the Customer Support representatives visited 773 criminal justice agencies while provid-

ing consultative services. The Customer Support Section also
planned and coordinated the 2002 Terminal Agency Coordinator (TAC) Conference hosted by GCIC. More than 830 TACs attended the conference, receiving instruction on issues current to the operation of Georgia's criminal justice community. Planning and support for this annual conference requires resources from all of GCIC's components.

PLANS & PROGRAM
Development

CCH SYSTEM REDESIGN & MODERNIZATION

G CIC entered into a contractual agreement with the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) to analyze and document the current Computerized Criminal History (CCH) system. GTRI is responsible for providing

the research and analytical capability to document the database, data definitions, and the various programs and modules. In addition, GTRI developed database conversion rules to aid in the migration of the current CCH database to its new

schema. The first phase was complete on October 31, 2002.
The second phase consists of creating business rules for the new system. These rules provide greater detail on how the new system will operate.

COURTS AUTOMATION

GCIC continues to be heavily involved with court disposition automation efforts, and as a result of these efforts, 129 courts representing 69 counties in Georgia now have automat-

ed court disposition reporting capabilities. In addition, GCIC is working with the Georgia Superior Court Clerk's Cooperative Authority (GSCCCA) to automate court disposition data

from all 159 Superior Court clerks' offices. Georgia Superior Court clerks are responsible for providing electronic collection and transmission of disposition data to the

GSCCCA. The GSCCCA then transmits the disposition data to GCIC. Court automation vendors must meet the GCIC and GSCCCA guidelines. Four vendors have met the GCIC requirements for

transmission of final disposition data as outlined in the GCIC Automated Disposition Guide. As a result, these vendors have been approved to send final disposition data from their local court sites to the GSCCCA server and to GCIC.

IMAGE ARCHIVE SYSTEM

The Image Archive System stores documents containing National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) fingerprint images, mug shot images, miscellaneous images and document images. Images, which serve to substantiate criminal history information, are stored as

events and can be retrieved for review or printing by GCIC and eventually by local criminal justice agencies. The system was fully operational in July 2001. In June 2003, more storage space was added to meet the growth in fingerprint image and mug shot submissions.

RETRIEVAL & REPORTING SYSTEM

In April 2003, GCIC completed installation of a new Retrieval & Reporting System (RRS). This system provides investigative data to assist local, state and federal law enforcement agencies in developing leads and/or identifying potential suspects. The system stores network activity data that is

considered as public information and subject to the Open Records Act. The system also enables agencies throughout the state to have rapid response to inquiries for criminal network traffic data stored by the GBI.
The RSS currently has nine months of logged data

transactions. Network activity data is logged and stored for the current year plus the previous four. Therefore, this new system will operate in combination with the prior system for the next four years. The GCIC Computer Services group operates and maintains this system.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE
INTEGRATION INITIATIVE
G CIC is actively involved in an effort to improve the sharing of criminal justice data among local, state and federal agencies. An Integrated Justice Strategic Plan is being updated to provide a framework for the coordina-

VIRTUAL PRIVATE NETWORK
The State of Georgia is in the process of implementing a virtual private network (VPN). With the statewide implementation of the VPN, Georgia will meet all federal requirements mandated for the security of criminal justice data.

tion of integrated statewide criminal justice systems where accurate, precise, and comprehensive criminal

justice information will be shared and evaluated by all components of the criminal justice system.

DIVISION OF
Forensic Sciences
T he Division of Forensic Sciences (DOFS) provides scientific support to criminal justice agencies, enabling them to detect, apprehend and prosecute criminals by utilizing accurate, useful and timely laboratory analysis and testimony. Except for limited services provided by local and federal laboratories, DOFS crime laboratories are the only forensic services available to the criminal justice community of Georgia.

Command Staff
Dan Kirk Deputy Director

DOFS
Personnel

T he Division of Forensic Sciences (Georgia State Crime Laboratory) was formed by legislative Act in 1952. The laboratory had five full-time staff members who

processed 651 cases that year. In FY'03, DOFS employed had

a total staff of 266 scientists technicians, support staff, and

administrative personnel. Despite carrying an average of 40

vacancies, principally due to budget shortfalls, DOFS pro-

duced more than 105,275 reports.

The individual caseload for scientists remains high, but the

overall case production of DOFS has fallen well short of the

demand for services. The result is a greatly increased backlog

over the previous year.

The laboratory

receives and processes about 9,225 service

Regional Crime Labs
Central Regional Lab, Macon

requests per month.

Coastal Regional Lab, Savannah

This exceeds the capacity of the laboratory to produce cases by approximately 453 services per month. The

Eastern Regional Lab, Augusta Headquarters Lab, Decatur
Northwest Regional Lab, Summerville Southwest Regional Lab, Moultrie Western Regional Lab, Columbus

resulting backlog is

growing at a rate which will approach 24,000 services by the

end of FY'04.

With additional budget constraints (due to a weak economy)

and a growing caseload, DOFS will most likely develop a

backlog larger than the one that existed in FY'01 (36,000

cases).

DOFS Operations
Dr. George Herrin Assistant Deputy
Director
DOFS Operations
Karen Scott Assistant Deputy
Director

140,000

FY'03: Requests for Services
127,000

120,000 100,000

110,000 106,000 88,000

105,275

80,000

60,000 0

DOFS Operations
Bill Wall Assistant Deputy
Director
Med. Examiner's Operations

F Y 1999
FY 2000 F Y 2001 F Y 2002 F Y 2003

FY'03: DOFS Cases Worked
Forensic Biology .................................................... 3,904 CODIS Database .................................................. 21,866 Chemistry ............................................................... 35,791 Firearms .................................................................. 4,607 Latent Prints .......................................................... 1,844 Questioned Documents ....................................... 591 Toxicology ............................................................... 33,218 Trace Evidence ...................................................... 520 Medical Examiner................................................... 2,934 Total.......................................... 105,275

Dr. Kris Sperry Chief Medical Examiner
Med. Examiner's Operations
Scott Roberts Assistant Deputy
Director

LABORATORY
Services

DOFS provides scientific support to the criminal justice system in Georgia. Using the most recent technologies and highly sophisticated equipment, lab scientists and technicians in specialized disciplines collect, analyze and interpret all aspects of physical evidence for law enforcement and prosecutors through the state. They also offer expert testimony on their findings.

FIREARMS SECTION

The Firearms Section ended the fiscal year with a backlog of 39 cases. There is a national shortage of trained firearm examiners. Since no individuals graduate college with the necessary skills for firearms examinations, all crime laboratories must train new staff in a program that takes two years to complete. To solve part of this problem, the GBI, the Florida Department of Law

Enforcement (FDLE), and the Royal Bahamas Police Force sponsored a joint firearms training program. Two GBI firearms examiners successfully completed the training during FY'03 and were assigned to regional laboratories. All the labs, with the exception of the Southwestern Regional Crime Lab in Moultrie, perform firearm examinations.

IMPLIED CONSENT

Implied Consent provides training in the operation of the Intoxilyzer 5000 for the detection of drivers suspected of being under the influence of alcohol. The section administers the quality control and assurance programs for Georgia's breath alcohol testing program.
In FY'03, 39 Intoxilyzer basic certification classes were held at the Georgia Public Safety Training

Center (GPSTC), training 1,167 law enforcement personnel. The unit provided training for: The Georgia State Patrol The Department of Natural Resources The federally-funded Police Corp. Intoxilyzer 5000 recertification classes were conducted at seven regional training centers.
Georgia has 9,000 certified Intozilyzer 5000 opera-

Crime Lab Disciplines
Drug Identification Analyzes and identifies suspected narcotics and other controlled substances as well as paints and accelerants.
Forensic Biology/DNA Detects, identifies, and individualizes biological fluids. The section also maintains a computerized database called CODIS, (COmbined DNA Index System) that stores the DNA profiles of convicted sexual offenders and felons in Georgia. Evidence from all types of cases can be searched on the database to see if matches can be found and suspects identified.
Pathology Performs autopsies to determine cause and manner of death in criminal and coroner cases.
Toxicology Section Isolates and identifies drugs and poisons in human tissues.

tors to administer Georgia police Approximately

tests to person arrested for driving under the

agencies purchased 29 new Intoxilyzer 5000

590 agencies participate in the GBI Implied

Crime Lab Disciplines

influence (DUI) of instruments dur- Consent breath

alcohol, operating a boat under the influence of alcohol (BUI), and other alcoholrelated offenses.

ing FY'03, brining the number of certified instruments in the state to 550 statewide.

alcohol testing program.

Firearms Identification
Compares bullets and cartridge cases to the firearms from which they were fired; utilizes the National

QUESTIONED DOCUMENTS

Integrated Ballistics Identification Network

In addition to conducting routine examinations and comparisons of handwriting involved in check forgery

In an Elbert County double murder, the defendant steadfastly denied intentionally shooting a second

(NIBIN), monitored by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF).

cases and other financial instruments, Question

person at the scene. He claimed the person was

Latent Prints

Documents examines docu- struck by a stray bullet and

Collects, preserves,

mentary evidence involved was not a deliberate target.

identifies, and com-

in serious violent crimes. Prosecutors discovered a

pares fingerprints

One such matter in

letter reportedly written by

from crime scenes

DeKalb County involved a the defendant to a friend,

and physical evidence

triple homicide case that admitting that he shot the

utilizing the Auto-

ended in conviction of the second victim so she could

mated Fingerprint

shooter. His admission in a not testify against him at

Identification System

letter to a friend claiming trial. Handwriting analysis

(AFIS).

responsibility for the

established that the defen-

killings was crucial to the prosecution's case.

dant wrote the incriminating letter.

Trace Evidence

Examines evidence,

FORENSIC PHOTOGRAPHY

including fibers, hairs, glass, shoe and

Forensic Photography continues to enhance its value to Georgia's criminal justice community. This year marked the addition of a state-of-the-art digital video imaging system for surveillance tapes, CDs, and other recorded media submitted for enhancement. Law enforcement agencies throughout the state submit surveillance recordings from

tire impressions, and other forms of trace evidence, assisting in determining if a suspect was present at a crime scene.

robberies and thefts at businesses. The new system is

equipped with technology developed by the National Air

and Space Administration (NASA) that allows for improved

image enhancement of suspects, vehicle tag numbers, and

other information helpful in developing investigative leads and key in prosecution.

TOXICOLOGY

During FY'03, the Headquarters Toxicology Section suffered several setbacks in its efforts to meet the DOFS goal of 80 percent of all cases being completed and released in 30 days or less.
The cause for the delay in the completion of test work was due to veteran toxicologists retiring, several employees leaving, and budget shortfalls, including

decreased funding for supplies and the hiring of needed toxicologists.
Approximately, 20,879 requested services were completed at HQ Toxicology during the year with 79.3 percent draft completed on time and 67.3 percent released on time. All performance measures were indicative of strained resources as compared to the previous year's performance.

Crime Lab Disciplines
Questioned Documents
Using a variety of techniques, the service examines and compares documents for possible forgery. It also determines if a suspect is linked to documents key to an investigation.

TRACE EVIDENCE

Forensic Photography

Processes and prints

Trace Evidence provides identifications, comparisons and

crime scene photo-

analysis of hair, fibers, paint, plastic, glass, footwear, tire

graphs.

impressions, fractured materials, and other miscellaneous

materials. Forensic analysis, interpretation and courtroom testimony of scientists assigned to this unit play a critical role in the investigation and prosecution of serious/violent crimes such as homicide, sexual assault, armed robbery, kidnapping and burglary. The timely analysis of trace materials is critical to the successful apprehension and prosecution of criminals.
Trace Evidence currently has a backlog of approximately 150 violent criminal cases. The current average turn-

Implied Consent
Administers the state's breath alcohol testing program and provides training on the use of breath alcohol testing instruments.

around time for requests is approximately six months for

cases involving the analysis of hair, fiber, glass, and

impressions. There is a nine-month delay for paint, plastic,

and fracture matches. This backlog will continue to grow until

the lab is able to fill the vacant scientist positions in this section.

Throughout the year, Trace Evidence has provided investigative leads to agencies. Some

of these investigative leads included vehicle year/make/model/color as determined from

paint left on the clothing of hit-and-run victims; brand/model of tires and footwear as

determined from impressions left at crime scene; and race of suspects as determined

from hair left at the scene.

The Latent Prints Section of the Crime Lab collects, preserves, identifies and compares fingerprints from crime scenes and physical evidence. The unit also interfaces with the

LATENT PRINTS

Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS), a database that houses fingerprints of persons who have been arrested in Georgia.
In FY'03, the section

processed 1,550 requests with an on-time rate of 99.8 percent (30 days or less). The section consists of three certified latent print examiners.
In April of 2003, the sec-

tion went online with the FBI's Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS), which allows the latent print examiners to search the FBI database. However, these searches are limited to only 30 percent of the database. In September of 2002, the section assisted the Alabama Bureau of Investigation (ABI) in the shooting death of two Montgomery police officers. ABI sent some latent prints found at the scene of the shootings to the GBI and asked for an AFIS search. The search resulted in a hit, giving ABI the name of a suspect in the shootings. The suspect later committed suicide to avoid arrest.

CHEMISTRY/DRUG IDENTIFICATION

The Chemistry Section received 44,728 requests for drug identification in FY'03, six percent less than in FY'02. Unfortunately, from July 2002 to June 2003 the backlog grew from 482 to 7,900 cases. Most of the cases are in the Headquarters laboratory, but two regional labs also contributed to the total number. The major reason for this increase is a loss of personnel because of a lack of funding. The Headquarters Chemistry Section has 16 unfilled positions and the regional labs have two vacant positions. Fire debris services performed by the Chemistry staff numbered 400 in comparison with last year's total of 499 a 25 percent decrease.
The discipline continued though to

improve and advance the testing and services offered by DOFS. This year a new testing technique, Raman spectroscopy, was implemented. This method permits a preliminary identification of a substance through the plastic packaging so that the package does not have to be opened nor a sample taken. The identity of multiple bags of drugs can now be obtained in much less time.
Chemistry has worked to meet the needs of law enforcement agencies by providing additional resources to address the increased number of clandestine methamphetamine laboratories seized in Georgia. The Clandestine Laboratory Response Team (CLRT) continues to respond to

these dangerous sites statewide on a 24hour/7-day-a-week basis. Efforts to restrict illegal methamphetamine production resulted in new legislation enacted in the 2003 Georgia General Assembly. This legislation, in addition to increasing penalties for methamphetamine production, also made ephedrine and anhydrous ammonia, both used in this process, a felony to possess for drug production. Sampling and testing protocols for use in the field by officers and the CLRT were developed and implemented. New procedures to allow DOFS staff to perform the identifications mandated by this new legislation in the laboratory were also created. Clandestine laboratory responses by

the Clandestine Laboratory Response Team increased 39 percent to 107 in FY'03.
During the fiscal year, the staff members of Chemistry assisted in the training of Georgia law enforcement officers. A complete revision of the existing officer's Marijuana-Certified Examiner Course training program was undertaken. The resulting two-day class provides officers who successfully complete the training with the ability to test leafy material for the presence of marijuana and present their findings in court. New courtroom training, now a part of the course, provides officers with better techniques to convey the results of their testing within the judicial system of Georgia.

FORENSIC BIOLOGY/DNA

In FY'03 the Forensic Biology Section received more than 20,000 requests for services. In casework operations, the majority of these requests were semen identification. These submissions averaged 132 requests per month. A backlog in this service area grew quickly to 375 cases due to staff leaving and training. The service of criminal paternity was expanded to all law enforcement agencies in Georgia, not just GBI cases as was previously practiced. There was an increase in the number of DNA requests overall for attempting identification of remains and "source transfer" on evidence items worn by potential suspects.
In databasing, 22,736 offender profiles were entered into CODIS (Combined DNA Index System). The total database size of CODIS grew to more than 75,000 profiles. An increase in the number of unsolved cases linked to offenders (offender hit) was observed compared to the previous year. In FY'02 there were 89 offender hits and in FY03, 106 offender hits occurred. The

number of offender hits since the Georgia program began now totals 236. An average of seven offender hits are made per month. As observed since the database expansion in 2000, most of the cases solved were rapes linked to offenders incarcerated for non-sex related crimes.
CODIS also links cases to each other that may or may not have a perpetrator identified (forensic hit). Twenty-four forensic hits occurred, identifying several serial crime situations. In terms of national hits, 15 cases were linked to offenders in other states. Eight offenders from Georgia were matched to crimes across the country.
The trend of non-sex offenders being linked to unsolved sexual assault cases continues. At the national level, six forensic hits and seven offender hits were observed. Because of the quality and quantity of casework data at the national level, GBI was awarded a two-year appointment to the National CODIS Board in December 2001.

QUALITY
Systems

T he Division of Forensic Sciences (DOFS) continues to maintain a comprehensive quality assurance system that allows the laboratory system to meet all of the requirements of two accrediting bodies. DOFS has been accredited by the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board (ASCLD/LAB) since 1999 and the ISO 17025 General Requirements for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories since 2001.
For two years prior to achieving ISO 17025 recognition, the crime laboratory

was accredited to ISO 9002 standards. DOFS is unique in that it is the first forensic lab in the United States to be granted accreditation by both ISO 17025 and ASCLD/LAB.
DOFS has demonstrated its continuing commitment to the quality system by promoting training for potential auditors. Trainees are selected for ISO 17025 internal auditor training classes as these classes become available. In addition, all managers and assistant managers have attended ASCLD/LAB auditor training.

INFORMATION
Management

F Y'03 was a year of stabilization in the area of information management. The laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) underwent only one major software upgrade dur-

ing the year. Due to staff suggestions, the upgrade implemented several changes related to data review and retrieval. The Web site used for the dissemination of official reports continued to be a success. New servers were

installed at all seven laboratory sites to improve the storage capacity and speed of LIMS. Several dozen replacement computers were installed for users to enhance their ability to perform their job functions. DOFS continued to be a

leader in the area of information management. Personnel with the FBI laboratory visited the Headquarters lab to gather information to be used in implementing their own systems.

FACILITY
Improvements

W ith increasing workloads at GBI crime laboratories, renovations, upgrades, and construction of new modern laboratory facilities were needed to keep pace with demand.
New laboratories to replace existing obsolete buildings are on schedule:
The Eastern Regional Crime Laboratory in Augusta, Richmond County, was completed and opened in November 2002.
The Central Regional Crime Laboratory in Macon, Bibb County, was completed at the end of July and opened in August of 2003.
Toxicology and morgue additions to the Coastal Regional Crime Laboratory in Savannah, Chatham County, was completed and opened in April 2003.
Toxicology and morgue addition to the Southwestern Regional Crime Laboratory in Moultrie, Colquitt County, are scheduled for completion in 2004.

The Northeastern Regional Crime Laboratory in Cleveland, White County, is the newest laboratory and scheduled for completion in late 2003.
The Headquarters Laboratory Annex and Morgue was completed and occupied in September 2002. The new building is named in honor of the laboratory founder, Dr. Herman Jones. Renovations to the old laboratory building at Headquarters began in February 2003 and is expected to be complete in September of 2003.
The total forensic laboratory system will soon have eight locations strategically located throughout the state, with more than 250,000 square feet of modern scientific space.

FINANCE

Office

Ray

Higgins

T he primary mission of the GBI Finance Office is to provide sound, solid advice and financial management to the Director's Office, the Administrative

Fiscal Officer/ Treasurer

Division, the Investigative Division, the Division of

Forensic Sciences, and the Georgia Crime Information Center. GBI Finance also adminis-

ters the funds for the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC), attached to the GBI

for administrative purposes. The Finance Office is supervised by the agency's fiscal offi-

cer/treasurer and consists of three main units: Budget, Accounting and Purchasing. The

office is supported by 22 employees and is responsible for all financial transactions

involving the agency.

BUDGET
T he Budget Unit is supervised by a budget administrator and consists of four budget analysts. The unit is responsible for the development and management of the GBI budget. Likewise, this unit is responsible for monitoring all expenditures from work units as well as fund sources for the entire agency. Each member of the Budget Unit works directly with division personnel to provide guidance and approval of expenditures for travel and operating costs, including monitoring 27 grants. The unit also is responsible for processing all allotments through the Governor's Office of Planning and Budget to the Office of Treasury and Fiscal Services. All amendments to the Annual Operating Budget are developed and processed by the budget staff.
During FY'03, the budget

FY'03: Total Funds Budgeted by Division
Admin.

GCIC

Investigative Division

6,125,135

13,476,144

37,839,297

DOFS

20,457,262

Criminal Justice

staff managed an overall Annual Operating Budget

Coordinating Council (CJCC)

of $80,717,925

State Funds ............................ $349,380

(GBI only, CJCC Federal Funds ................... $53,389,514

not included),

Other Funds ........................ $6,726,431

while creating and Total ................................... $60,465,325

developing the

FY'03 Amended,

Information Technology, and FY'04 budget requests. The effort resulted in an

FY'04 state appropriation of $61,590,913.

ACCOUNTING

Crime Information Center (GCIC), the section received and recorded more than $1.4

T he Accounting Unit is responsible for all accounting transactions, including the

million in revenue collections for instant gun check, criminal history, and finger-
print-licensing programs.

reconciliations of cash

FY'03: Finance Activity

The section is responsible for transmitting all

accounts, GA

revenue collections to

Fund I

the state treasury on a

accounts, sub- 70,000

70,475

monthly basis.

sidiary ledgers,

The Accounts Payable

and the general 60,000

Section (AP) consists of

ledger. The

three employees and a

unit also han- 50,000

supervisor. This section

dles all of the accounting

40,000

is responsible for processing all payments for

transactions for the

30,000

28,667

22,257

the GBI and CJCC. In FY'03, the section dis-

Criminal Justice

20,000 18,962

bursed approximately 18,131 checks and made

Coordinating Council

10,000

more than 852 electronic payments for sub-grant

(CJCC), attached to the GBI for admin-

0

Expense Purchase Deposits Paychecks/

Payments Orders

Dir. Dep.

payments, travel reimbursements, and invoice payments. In addition to

istrative pur-

these day-to-day respon-

poses. CJCC

sibilities, the section is

accounts for a

responsible for all 1099 processing and

large portion of GBI revenue, including sev- semi-annual prompt pay reports. AP also

eral federal grants as well as many cash

assists in travel and per diem expense rec-

disbursements and sub-grant payments.

onciliations. Likewise, AP administers the

The Accounting Unit is a lead contact with American Express card travel program and

the State Department of Audits, supervised enters payments for charges on our pur-

by the accounting director, and is broken chasing cards as well as payments for all

down into three main sections: Accounts

rental space.

Receivable, Accounts Payable, and Payroll.

Two administrative staff positions provide

The Payroll Section has one employee

critical support to all areas of the Finance and a payroll supervisor. This section

Office.

processes the semi-monthly payroll for all

The Accounts Receivable Section (AR) consists of four employees, including a supervisor. The section is responsible for all revenue received by the GBI. In FY'03 the unit collected and recorded more than $138 million through 65,000 check deposits, and processed electronic fund transfers from several different fund sources, including state funds, governor's emergency funds, federal grants, and forfeitures. In conjunction with the Georgia

employees of the GBI and the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council. During FY'03, payroll effectively processed approximately 3,469 paychecks and 18,600 direct deposits in a timely manner. In addition to the routine payroll operations, payroll also is responsible for financial entries to create deductions for items such as insurance premiums, contributions to the 401K program, payments to the credit unions and entries for all salary adjustments.

PURCHASING

The Purchasing Section of the Finance Office has three employees. The section is responsible for entering all purchase orders for the GBI and CJCC. Last year, purchasing entered approximately 2,384 purchase orders for var-

ious items, such as vehicle purchases, large equipment purchases, repairs and maintenance.
Similarly, Purchasing has the primary responsibility of overseeing the Visa Purchasing Card Program (P-Card) and training employees on the

use and reconciliation of the cards.
In FY'03, there were more than 8,700 transactions on the P-Card from more than 550 cardholders. As a result, approximately $2 million in P-Card activity took place.
The Purchasing Section is responsible for coordinating the entire procure-

ment process by ensuring the Finance Office has all appropriate documentation. Purchasing also acts as the print coordinator for the agency and handles all inhouse procurements by coordinating the bid process.

LEGAL
Services

T he Legal Services Division is staffed with six full-time employees, including two attorneys (the director and

subpoenas, 30 court

Mark B. Jackson
Director

deputy director); an assistant deputy direc- orders,

tor (ADD); two legal assistants, and a

112 production of document requests, and

records management technician.

orchestrated the release of more than 89

biological specimens.

The Open Records Unit

OPEN RECORDS
The Open Records Unit, which includes archives, is within Legal Services and

FY'03: Open Records Activity
Open Record Requests............. 2,445

continued to provide training sessions to various agencies throughout the state regarding the Open Records Act.

functions under the direction of the ADD. The ADD has a

Subpoenas Processed................ 65

In addition to the open

legal assistant and a records management technician to assist in the processing of open records and archives requests. The open records requests have continued to increase, from 2,014 in FY'02

Court Orders............ 30 Production of Documents.............. 112 Biological Specimens............... 89 Training Sessions.... 20

records function, Legal Services provides legal counsel to the GBI and its employees via training and legal updates. The office conducted 34 training sessions for current agents,

to 2,445 in FY'03. In addition

new agents and supervi-

to the requests, the Open

sors. During FY'03, four

Records Unit processed 65

new civil cases were filed

and 16 civil cases were resolved. The office coordinated with the Georgia Attorney General's Office in handling these cases.
The Legal Services Division also drafted significant proposed legislation. These bills included amendments to the Protective Order Registry and revisions to the authority of medical examiners.

FY'03: Legal Services Activity
Training Sessions.................... 34 Civil Cases Resolved............... 16 New Civil Cases........................ 4

PROFESSIONAL
Standards

Bill

T he Office of Professional Standards (OPS) is responsible for investigating allegations of misconduct made against GBI employees. The office

Malueg
Inspector

reviews and investigates all complaints, determining

whether they have legitimacy or lack merit. Each year the complaints are reviewed and

studied to identify any patterns of misconduct. Based on those findings, OPS then rec-

ommends appropriate actions and/or training. In FY'03, OPS documented its investiga-

tions through three primary means: Internal Affairs Investigations, Preliminary Inquiries,

and Reviews of Incidents. OPS also reviews all use of force and conducts all exit inter-

views.

During FY'03, the Office of Professional Standards:
Conducted 17 internal affairs investigations
Conducted 18 preliminary inquiries

Conducted five reviews of incidents Conducted 12 reviews of use of force Conducted 62 exit interviews.

PERSONNEL
Office

T he Personnel Office is comprised of one parttime and eight fulltime employees. The office is responsible for providing support to the three divi-

sions and the Administrative Section of the GBI in all human resource matters. The routine responsibilities include the following: recruiting and

LuAnne Worley
Director
hiring of new employees; processing personnel trans-

actions; handling employee relations matters; classify-

FY'03: Employee Breakdown

ing positions; developing new and revising existing

CJCC

Admin.

agency jobs; monitoring the

compensation structure; establishing minimum job qualifications; administer-

GCIC

52 30

Investigative Division

ing Equal Employment

Opportunity (EEO) services;

135

administering the agency's

drug screening program;

443

overseeing the performance

management process;

246

assisting employees with

benefits; serving as the liaison for workers' compensation; coordinating the student internship and youth

DOFS

Total Employees
906

apprenticeship programs;

and managing the

Employee Assistance

Program (EAP). The Office of Personnel provided manage-
ment training in evaluating employee performance; made concerted efforts to ensure that equal employment opportunities were available to a diverse population by making

its job vacancy notices available to a variety of audiences and organizations; provided recruitment information via private and government web sites; and received job applications over the Internet.
In addition to their regular responsibili-

ties, staff in the Office of Personnel provid-

ed information and assistance for the

FY'03: Personnel Office Activity

national re-accreditation process through the Commission on Accreditation for Law

Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) and the

Approximately 1,833 applications for employment were received and processed.

state certification process through the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police.

Approximately 812 personnel transactions were completed and processed (promotions, new appointments, transfers, retirements, separation, etc.).

Applicable policies and procedures were reviewed for necessary changes, as onethird of the standards established by this program are personnel-related. The office

Approximately 130 applications were processed for the internship program, with 35 college students placed.

also played a key role in coordinating and providing data for the GBI's Work force Plan.

One special agent hiring process was held, with Basic Agent School conducted in August of 2002.

PUBLIC
Affairs

Disseminating information to the media and the public falls under the domain of the Public Affairs Office. The staff of two employees acts as a liaison

John Bankhead
Director

between the agency and the media/public, coordinating

the release of information on investigations, missing persons, fugitives, agency achieve-

ments, programs, and any other items of interest that may arise.

Along with its daily duties, the office also writes articles for law enforcement publica-

tions, publishes the annual report and recruiting brochures, compiles a quarterly

newsletter for employees and retirees, schedules speaking engagements, and produces

informational and training videos. The Public Affairs director also represents the agency

at the Georgia General Assembly, maintains the GBI Web site, and responds to the pub-

lic's requests for information via electronic mail.

WEB SITE
During FY'03, more than 7.6 million hits were recorded to the GBI Web site. The site can be viewed at www.ganet.org/gbi.
FY'02: Web Site Hits
Sex Offender Registry ....................... 6,213,936 Employment ................................................. 62,836 Unidentified Remains ................................ 30,511 Criminal History .......................................... 30,100 Wanted Persons .......................................... 27,044 GCIC ............................................................... 29,212 Uniform Crime Reporting ......................... 22,334 Investigative ................................................ 18,827 DOFS .............................................................. 18,136 Missing Persons ........................................... 16,210 Unsolved homicides ..................................... 15,529
The above statistics represent the most visited pages on the GBI Web site and is not cumulative.

STAFF
Services

Staff Services provides a variety of support functions for the GBI, including facility management, fleet management, asset management, telecommunications, agent supply, and mail.
The Facility Management Section worked on the following projects during FY'03:
Northeast Regional Crime Lab & Region-8 Investigative Office, Cleveland: These two facilities are being built on a single contract on approximately eight acres of land near Cleveland. The building shells are complete and installation of the mechanical and electrical systems are well underway. Interior partitions are about complete and installation of casework will be the next major effort to start. Once completed and staffed, the crime laboratory will be able to provide forensic services locally to the northeast region of the state.
The new Investi-

gative office will replace an older facility located in Gainesville that no longer meets operational needs.
Central Regional Crime Lab: Construction is nearly complete on a new 15,000-square-foot Central Regional Crime Lab in Macon. This facility will replace an existing 21-year-old, 7,000square-foot building and provide much needed modern laboratory space and a morgue. The facility consists of two structures, the lab building and a freestanding morgue

building.

Jon Paget

Coastal Regional

Director

Crime Lab:

Construction was

completed on a lab in Moultrie.

annex and morgue Construction will

at the Coastal

start soon. Like the

Regional Crime Lab Coastal Regional

in Savannah. The Crime Lab Annex,

10,000-square-foot this 10,000-square-

addition provides

foot addition pro-

additional toxicology vides additional toxi-

lab space, a medical cology lab space, a

examiner suite and medical examiner

morgue.

suite and morgue.

Southwestern Regional Crime Lab: The architectural firm has completed the design for a laboratory and morgue annex to the Southwestern Regional Crime Lab

Crime Analysis Garages: This project provides for the building of freestanding Crime Analysis Garages at six of regional investigative offices. These "garages" will

Cleveland Lab: Construction on the new Cleveland lab is expected to be complete in 2004.

provide office space, a garage bay, and lab space for regional crime scene specialists. Three of these garages were completed at regional offices in Perry, Thomasville, and Kingsland. A fourth, in Athens, will be completed in March 2004. Evidence will be brought to these specialized garages and processed in a controlled environment.
Headquarters Lab Renovation: When Chemistry, Toxicology, the Medical Examiners Office and laboratory administration moved into the new lab annex, office space was left vacant in the the existing facility. The vacant space is undergoing renovation and will provide new laboratories for the remaining lab sections and offices for Personnel and some Investigative

units. Special features will include a bullet recovery system (shoot tank) and a firing range for muzzle and target testing. This project is being delivered with a design/build process, which is new for GBI.
GCIC Renovation: Open office space currently occupied by GCIC is being renovated to provide a more efficient layout, updated furniture, and revised power, phone and computer distribution. Georgia Correctional Industries is currently installing the workstations and removing the existing systems. Required power, phone and computer modifications are simultaneously being performed.

SUPPLY & MAILROOM
The staff of the Supply and Mailroom Section consists of three full-time employees and one temporary employee. This section maintains approximately $500,000-worth of agent inventory to include weapons, body armor, and radio gear, along with other equipment and supplies needed by the agents. The section also maintains a record on equipment issued, returned, lost and stolen.
The mailroom processes and sends out approximately 3,000 pieces of mail weekly, including inter-office mail throughout the state. It also provides a courier service.
During FY'03 this section worked closely with Investigative Staff Services on the following special details: Verified the equipment needs for two new agent classes and issued the items as well as verifying with the agents that all items were accounted for.
Received and prepared equipment to be issued for the new Clandestine Laboratory Response Team and child abuse specialists.
Verified outdated radios and prepared for surplus to allow new radios to be purchased.
Completed an inventory of weapons.

FLEET & ASSET

The Fleet and Asset Section manages the GBI's fleet of more that 500 vehicles and GBI assets totally nearly 5,000 items valued in excess of $32 million.
The section managed and supported GBI staff in the use of the Fleet Anywhere software. Fleet Anywhere provides GBI staff with

information regarding status of the fleet. Reports on current and projected use of vehicles have proven invaluable in the preparation of strategic budget planning.
Other services provided by this section included management of the surplus property program, accident reporting, commercial fuel

card management, and management of undercover commercial accounts. An additional position was added this fiscal year in order to help manage and account for the growing inventory and surplus program.

OTHER SUPPORT SERVICES
Staff Services is responsible for the administration of the Headquarters' security personnel and maintenance contracts. This past year was the final year of the maintenance contract with CB Richard Ellis. A new request for proposal was written and successfully executed. The new contract was awarded to CB Richard Ellis.
Staff Service is also responsible for: Telecommunications management Risk management Security and access management Contract administration.

ORGANIZATIONAL
Chart
Board of Public Safety
Director Vernon M. Keenan

Assistant Director Christina Ash

Assistant Director: Assists the Director in establishing agency policies and coordinates the management of administrative, personnel and new program issues.
Represents the Director on various boards and assumes the duties of the Director in his absence.

Investigative Division
Kent Wilson Director for Investigations
At the request of the Governor, law enforcement and district attorneys, the Investigative Division provides criminal investigative assistance to the law enforcement community statewide.
Combats illicit drug trade through specialized drug enforcement units.
Provides specialized services, including computer forensics, health care fraud investigations and explosives and bomb disposal.

Georgia Crime Information Center
Paul Heppner Deputy Director Operates the Georgia Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) network and audits systems for other agencies. Maintains Georgia's repository for all criminal history records and fingerprints. Staffs and operates the Georgia Firearms Program. Collects and compiles crime statistics, the Sexually Violent Offender Registry, and the Protective Order Registry.

Division of
Forensic Sciences
Dan Kirk Deputy Director
Furnishes scientific support to the state's criminal justice community.
Provides scientific, forensic testing, including Firearms, Trace Evidence, Chemistry, Questioned Documents, Toxicology, Forensic Biology/DNA, Pathology, and Latent Fingerprints.
Provides expert testimony in court.

Administration
Supports the Investigative Division, GCIC and DOFS in carrying out their duties.
Consists of: Finance Office (Ray Higgins, Fiscal Officer/Treasurer); Legal Services (Mark Jackson, Director); Personnel Office (LuAnne Worley, Director); Professional Standards (Bill Malueg, Inspector); Public Affairs (John Bankhead, Director); Staff Services (Jon Paget, Director).