Georgia Bureau of Investigation annual report 2004

INVESTIGATIVE
Operations
T he Investigative Division is the largest division of the GBI and is primarily responsible for assisting the more than 600 local law enforcement agencies in the investigation of crimes committed in Georgia. The deputy director for investigations supervises the division with a command staff of four inspectors.

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.

Command Staff

Kent E. Wilson Deputy Director

Robert Hardin Inspector

Joe Jackson Inspector

Don Robertson Inspector

Lee Sweat Inspector

FY'04: Investigative Hours Expended

Crimes Against Persons

Property Crimes

Death Investigations...... 42,920 Child Abuse.................... 23,525 Crime Scene.................. 16,427 Assault........................... 13,634 EOD................................. 7,173 Sex Crimes...................... 5,723 Robbery........................... 4,077 Terroristic Acts................. 3,562 Public Corruption............. 2,590 Kidnapping.......................... 935 Crime Analysis.....................214

Theft.............................. 46,482 Burglary........................... 3,568 Forgery............................ 5,094 Arson...................................719 Vehicle Theft.....................1,059 Criminal Damage............... 364

FY'00-FY'04: 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.

2000 114,778
F 2001 109,532 Y 2002 117,141
107,534 2003
86,807 2004

120,567 132,688 130,101 113,648 120,780

56,113 52,136 55,449 59,309 57,286

54,676 74,269 104,917 94,079 106,551

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 Canton, Savannah and Macon. The offices oversee drug investigations in 91 counties. The drug-related investigative activity generated during FY'04 in the three regional drug enforcement offices, 15 regional investigative offices, and by the State Drug Task Force is depicted as follows: Seized $4,436,973 in contraband Initiated 847 drug investigations Expended 86,807 agent hours.

Drug Enforcement
Canton RDEO Macon RDEO Savannah RDEO
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

State Drug Task Force

DRUG TASK FORCES

High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area

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 federally-funded High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force, which is located in Atlanta. Drug task forces are staffed by GBI personnel as well as members of other law enforcement agencies.

During FY'04, MJTFs:

Initiated 3,179 investigations

Arrested 2,934 offenders

Made drug seizures valuing $32,555,921

SPECIALIZED
Units

Specialized Work Units
Crime Analysis Unit (CAU)

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.

Financial Investigations Unit (FIU)
State Health Care Fraud Control Unit
(SHCFCU)

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. SHCFCU has been expanded to address the increasing number of

Special Operations Unit (SOU)
Intelligence Unit Training Unit Polygraph Unit Accreditation
Investigative Staff Services
Communication Center
patient abuse investigations occurring in the state.

FINANCIAL INVESTIGATIONS U N I T

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 computerrelated crimes.
Because FIU is primarily an investigative support unit, its statistics relating to arrests, stolen and recov-

ered 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 215 cases during FY'04 and continues to lead the state by developing strategies and expertise to combat computer crimes.
The GBI views computeroriented crimes as a rapidly emerging and highly techni-

cal 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.
FIU is responsible for Georgia's Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC). The purpose of the ICAC project is to provide to law enforcement agencies across the state a unit dedicated to the prevention, investigation, and prosecution of crimes committed against children over the Internet.
In FY'04, FIU coordinated 134 ICAC investigations with other GBI work units, local agencies, and federal agencies as compared to 49 cases the previous fiscal year.

POLYGRAPH UNIT

The GBI Polygraph

FY'04: Breakdown

Unit provides criminal

of Polygraph Exams

justice pre-employment

polygraph examinations

and criminal exami-

nations for GBI

work units and

other Georgia

law enforcement agencies. The Polygraph Unit conduct-

Preemployment
56 %

Criminal Investigations
44 %

ed 3,089 poly-

graph exami-

nations in FY'04

56 percent of

those tests were pre-

employment exams and 44

percent were exams for criminal investigations.

FY'04: Confession Polygraph examinations

Rate/Deception

often result in confessions

by suspects who are being

tested for their participa-

tion in commissions of

specific crimes. In

Known

FY'04, GBI polygraphers received

Deception

confessions in

(Did not

67 percent of

confess)

Confessions

the examina-

33%

67 %

tions where there was

indication

that the sub-

ject was decep-

tive.

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 10,565 requests for intelligence information, which included 321 background checks at the request of the Governor's Office and 889 standard background checks during FY'04.
The GBI's forensic artist is assigned to this unit and during FY'04 worked with victims and investigators in gathering information to depict 138 composite drawings of criminal suspects.

CRIME ANALYSIS UNIT

The Crime Analysis Unit (CAU) provides expert

crime analysis (behavioral science) and crime

scene examination services to law enforcement

agencies on a statewide basis. The services

include providing offender profiles and investiga-

tive strategies.
In addition, crime scene

FY'04: CAU Hours Expended

Crime Analysis

specialists

17%

provide highly

technical evi-

dence identifi-

cation and

collection

services

using state-

of-the-art

Crime Scene

forensic equipment

83%

and methods.

During

FY'04, CAU

processed 97 crime

scenes and provide

analytical support in 20 cases.

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 enforce-

ment agency in Georgia to achieve national accreditation.
In August of 2001, the GBI went through its first re-accreditation 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.

BOMB DISPOSAL TEAM

T he Bomb Disposal

Unit (BDU) provides statewide assistance in performing render-

FY'04: Bomb Disposal-Related Investigations
50

47

safe procedures on

explosive devices,

chemicals and other

40

volatile substances.

The BDU opened 105

cases in FY'04.

The GBI has eight

30

specially equipped

21 12

Bomb Response

19

Trucks and nine

20

remote robots that

are used to examine

packages, perform

render-safe proce-

10

dures and probe

4

structures.

2

The unit is in the

0

process of enhancing

Hoax Devices

Bombing Events

Explosives Recovery/
Disposal Improvised
Explosive Device

Explosive

Suspicious Package/

Event Standby

its capabilities with

an additional two

specialized bomb dis-

posal vehicles,

increasing the num-

ber of response vehicles to ten.
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. This expands the capability of the unit to address the threat presented by chemi-

cal and biological devices. GBI bomb technicians have received basic WMD training at the FBI Hazardous Devices School. The expansion has involved the acquisition of personal protective equipment and render-safe equipment that, when combined with existing training and knowledge, forms a capacity that has

not previously existed in Georgia. This will serve as a segment of the National Domestic Preparedness Plan with relation to WMD threats.

GEORGIA INFORMATION SHARING ANALYSIS CENTER

The Georgia Information Sharing & Analysis Center (GISAC) is one of the three main components of Georgia's Office of Homeland Security (GAOHS). The Georgia Homeland Security Task Force (GHSTF) and Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) are also included under GAOHS. GISAC was created in October 2001 as one of the first priorities of Georgia's homeland security plan developed in response to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington, D.C. GISAC provides vital support to GAOHS's broader mission, leading and directing the preparation, employment, and management of state resources to safeguard Georgia and its citizens against threats or acts of terrorism and the effects of natural disasters.
GISAC is the only statelevel agency dedicated solely to homeland security, antiterrorism, and counterterrorism operations.
Under the provisions of the Antiterrorism Act (OCGA 35-3-60), and the Antiterroristic Training Act (OCGA 16-11-150), at the state level, GISAC is responsible for developing and evaluating intelligence about persons engaged in terrorist activities, investigating acts of terrorism, and liaising with other agencies engaged in counter-terror-

ism operations. GISAC's primary mission
is to serve as the state's focal point for the collection, assessment, analysis, and dissemination of terrorism intelligence relating to Georgia. GISAC was not intended to replace or duplicate the counter-terrorism functions of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), but rather to enhance and facilitate the collection of information from local and state sources, and to integrate that information into a system that would benefit homeland security and counter-terrorism intelligence programs at all levels.
Investigative Division personnel manage GISAC, provide all administrative support and account for most of its operational staffing. GBI special agents and intelligence analysts, together with other sworn personnel representing the Georgia State Patrol, Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police, and Georgia Sheriff's Association, provide GISAC with a wide range law enforcement and counterterrorism intelligence capabilities.
Additionally, analysts assigned to GISAC from GEMA's Terrorism Emergency Response Planning Division, the Georgia Army National Guard, and the Georgia Association of Fire Chiefs

contribute vital expertise and resources to GISAC's efforts to protect Georgia's citizens, critical infrastructure, and key assets/resources from acts of terror.
During FY'04, GISAC continued to expand and improve its capabilities and was recognized nationally for its performance. During the year, the National Governors Association recognized GISAC as one of three "Best Practices" for state-level counter-terrorism intelligence centers.
Beginning in July 2003, and continuing through June 2004, GISAC played a major role in planning, coordinating, and conducting counter-terrorism intelligence operations in support of security operations for the 2004 G-8 Summit at Sea Island, Georgia. Because the Summit was a National Special Security Event (NSSE), the U.S. Secret Service was in charge of the overall security plan; however, GISAC and the FBI shared the lead role in developing and implementing intelligence operations.
Looking ahead to FY'05, GISAC has several major initiatives planned that will further improve counter-terrorism intelligence operations and significantly enhance the state's capabilities to detect, deter, disrupt, and prevent terrorist activities.

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 Agents James Garmon, James Harris, Joe Montgomery, Audey Murphy, and the Calhoun Regional Investigative Office were the 2004 recipients of the Directors Award for Investigative Excellence. The office received the award for its investigation into a quadruple homicide and triple kidnapping in Gordon County.
On January 7, 2004, the bodies of a man, two women, and a child were found at two rural Gordon County homes. A Ford Explorer belonging to one of the victms and three children ages 10 and younger were missing. Through intensive investigation and crime scene processing, agents and sheriff's office investigators developed a suspect and began looking for Jerry Jones, the ex-boyfriend of one of the victim's daughters. Jones also was the father

of two of the missing children. A Levi's Call: Georgia's Amber Alert was
issued for the three missing girls who were believed to be with Jones in the stolen vehicle.
After a daylong search, travelers on Interstate-75 near the Tennessee state line spotted the missing SUV. Jones, driving the vehicle, was able to elude police briefly. The chase ended when a Georgia state trooper perform a PIT (Precision Intervention Technique) and forced the Explorer into the ditch. Jones shot himself but his wounds were not life-threatening. The three young girls were not harmed and safely recovered.
Jerry Jones is currently pending trial in Gordon County Superior Court on multiple counts of murder and other related charges.

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 123 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.
CJIS 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.
GCIC services also include:
The Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS)
Computerized Criminal History (CCH) File
Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) records.

FINGERPRINT IDENTIFICATION
ELECTRONIC SUBMISSIONS: Electronic submissions refer to technology using "live scan" or "card scan" devices 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'04, ten 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 live scan and card scan devices. A total of 107 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 83 percent of criminal and 15 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 sub-

mission 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 10,814 tenprint and latent print searches were initiated from these AFIS remote terminals during FY'04. These inquiries resulted in 785 tenprint (offender identification) hits and 924 hits on latent prints left at crime scenes.

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

FY'04: 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

Shirley Andrews Assistant Deputy
Director
Chief of Staff
Neil Gerstenberger

FY'04 OPERATIONAL ACTIVITY: The chart (to right) represents significant operational activity associated with criminal, applicant and juvenile fingerprint identification services. AFIS matches represent the total number of hits made against stored fingerprints of previous offenders. Tenprint to latent inquiries are those automated searches made against the Unsolved Latent Print file from criminal arrests and applicant prints processed daily. These are in addition to the direct latent search queries performed by GBI's Division of Forensic Science or from AFIS remote sites.
Due to budget cuts experienced in FY'04, backlogs of non-electronic criminal fin-

FY'04: AFIS Production

Activity

Production

AFIS Searches ................................................ 584,030 AFIS Matches .................................................. 359,580 Tenprint to Latent Inquiries .............................. 531,129 Tenprint to Latent Hits ............................................. 100

gerprint cards have been created. At the close of FY'04, the average processing time for non-electronic criminal cards was nine days from receipt. Applicant fingerprint cards were processed within 15 days of receipt throughout FY'04.
During FY'04, total sub-

missions of criminal fingerprint cards including live scan transmissions increased two percent, while submissions of applicant fingerprint cards decreased 16 percent over FY'03 totals.

FY'04: Production & Receipts

500,000 400,000

457,624 441,335

300,000 200,000 100,000

151,831 140,206

Total Received
Total Processed
Approximately 24 percent of the total fingerprint identification workload is associated with non-criminal justice background checks.

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CRIMINAL HISTORY REPOSITORY

At the close of FY'04, GCIC maintained fingerprint and criminal history records on 2,597,405 individuals. An additional 111,400 individuals were added to the Georgia Computerized Criminal History (CCH) file during the year, which represents a 4.3 percent growth rate. An additional 819,401

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 362,051 final dispo-

sition reports were posted to CCH records during FY'04, with 31 percent reported electronically from courts and prosecutors.
A total of 27,040 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 1,616,797 Georgia CCH records were disseminated via the CJIS network to instate and out-ofstate criminal justice agencies.

PROTECTIVE ORDER REGISTRY

In May 1997, the FBI established a National Protection Order File, and GCIC implemented the programs to access and update the 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 24-hours/ seven-day-a-week access to protective orders issued by Georgia courts as well as courts in other states and jurisdictions.
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 49,907 orders have been received and approximately 1,198 authorized users have been granted access to the Web site.

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 9,095 offenders, with 1,371 added during FY'04. More than 6,481 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'04, the SVO registry portion of the Web page received more than 7,230,562 hits.

FIREARMS PROGRAM

INSTANT BACK-

GROUND CHECK: The Georgia Firearms

FY'04: Firearms Program Activity

Program (GFP) provides instant background

Total Telephone Calls Answered .......................... 82,625

checks pursuant to

Total Transactions ............................................... 192,211

Georgia law and provisions of the federal "Brady Act" on persons

Total Transactions Approved .............................. 183,122 Total Transactions Denied ...................................... 3,275

wishing to purchase

Total Transactions Delayed .................................... 5,814

firearms from federally

licensed firearms dealers. Background checks

Reasons for Denial:

ensure that people prohibited by either state or federal laws from pos-

Felony Conviction ................................................... 1,689 Outstanding Warrant (Fugitive) ................................. 556

sessing firearms are

Mental Health Reasons ................................................. 2

barred from purchasing them. The program is operational six days a

Family Violence ........................................................ 460 NICS Denials ............................................................. 275

week from 8:00 a.m.

Under Indictment ....................................................... 293

until 10:00 p.m. and

from 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Sundays.

Reason for Delay:

The program is closed on Total Transactions Delayed ..................................... 5,814

Christmas Day. During FY'04, the
Firearms Program's poli-

Felony Arrest (No Disposition) ................................ 5,320 Family Violence (No Disposition) ............................... 494

cy on the retention peri-

od for data on "approved

transactions" was

changed to a 24-hour destruction policy. On January 23, 2004, President Bush signed the Consolidated Appropriations Bill, which required all identifying data on approved transactions be destroyed within 24 hours of notifying the firearms dealer of the approval.
The FBI National Instant Check System

(NICS), Georgia Firearms Program, and other participating states were given 180 days to comply with the new mandate that became effective July 21, 2004. This meant that the GFP would not maintain any descriptive data pertaining to a firearm purchaser who was approved. All descriptive data is destroyed by the end of the busi-

ness day and the remaining data moves to the history file after ten days. All data from transactions that have been "delayed" or "denied" remain on the system for 90 days before moving to the history file.
The Firearms Program processed 192,211 instant background checks from federally licensed firearms dealers during the 2004 fiscal year. This represents a one percent increase in volume over transactions processed in the previous fiscal year. Instant background checks resulted in 183,122 ( 95 percent) approved firearm sales. Of

the total checks processed, 134,349 (70 percent) were approved instantly, requiring no further action. The remaining 57,862 required additional research, resulting in 42,959 (74 percent) transactions approved; 3,275 (six percent) transactions denied; and 11,628 (20 percent) transactions were either pending or unresolved.
During FY'04, there were a total of 71 gun retrievals required due to pending transactions where a firearm was released but subsequent research produced information that the buyer was prohibited. GBI,

working with the firearms dealers and buyers, retrieved 36 of those firearms.
Envoy Automated Licensing Systems of Nashville, Tennessee, through their VeriFAX program, provides a point-ofsale 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.

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 jurisdiction 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'04: GCIC disseminated 432 messages regarding convicted forcible felons who attempted to purchase firearms.
Thirty-one individuals were on active probation or parole.
Law enforcement agencies have made 71 arrests for attempt to purchase and/or possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. There have been 298 arrests since January of 2001.

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 Georgia-2003 and 89 special reports.
The UCR program also collects special family violence act (FVA) incident

reports. A total of 38,499 family violence incident reports were processed during FY'04.

COMPUTER
Services

CJIS Network
T he Criminal Justice Information System 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'04, 11,328 CJIS network terminals processed more than 140 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 the year. GCIC Computer Services Integrated CJIS Data Center provided 24-hour, seven-day-a-week support to agencies utilizing CJIS.
CJIS Connectivity Conversion
During FY'04, GCIC continued to work with the Georgia Technology Authority to finalize plans for major network developments including the Virtual Private Network (VPN) solution and the MultiProtocol Layer Switching (MPLS) data line conversion both are slated to be implemented in FY'05. VPN will provide a more secure overall network and insure the CJIS network meets stricter security standards set for connectivity to the FBI's National Crime Information Center databases. The conversion of the current CJIS

Network's frame circuits will improve the speed of data transfer and provide lower cost options for agencies connecting to the CJIS network. MPLS will facilitate the conversion of the remaining CJIS terminals that have yet to switch to the TCP/IP protocol. TCP/IP allows agencies to take full advantage of expanded data capabilities, such as imaging of fingerprints and mug shots.
Mainframe Computer Support
GCIC Mainframe Programming Unit programmers developed and maintained hundreds of programs that support key systems such as the Criminal History File, Sex Offender Registry, Protection Order Registry, Uniform Crime Reporting, connectivity to NCIC, and the National Law Enforcement Telecommunication System (NLETS) to list a few.
Microcomputer Support
GCIC's Microcomputer Unit supports GBI's internal IT (Information Technology) infrastructure in more than 30 facilities housing over 900 employees statewide. In addition, the unit developed case management systems plus provided critical IT support to the GBI and other agencies at both security centers operating at the G-8 Summit.

Investigative Support
GCIC's Computerized Investigative Support Unit extracts information to assist criminal justice agencies with criminal

investigations as well as administrative management of the CJIS network. In FY'04, the unit assisted agencies with 7,424 network/database search projects.

COMPLIANCE & Customer Support
CJIS COMPLIANCE AUDITS
G CIC, as the CJIS Systems Agency for the state, is responsible for biennial audits of Georgia criminal justice agencies operating computer terminals on the CJIS network. During FY'04, GCIC's CJIS audit staff conducted 519 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 248 hours of training and testing to 700 criminal justice personnel.
The FBI Access Integrity Unit regards the Georgia CJIS audit program as one of the best in the nation. All GCIC auditors are certified instructors through the Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (P.O.S.T.).

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'04, grant staff:
Conducted more than CCH compliance audits
Researched more than 19,000 reported arrests sent to GCIC without a corresponding final disposition
Located final disposition information in more than 9,000 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.

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'04, 5,713 criminal justice employees received training from 1,724 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 1,031 criminal justice agencies while providing consultative services.

The Customer Support Section also planned and coordinated the 2003 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.
Customer Support staff completed 378 statewide training sessions.

PLANS & PROGRAM
Development

CCH SYSTEM REDESIGN & MODERNIZATION

G CIC entered into a

ing the research and analyt- schema. This first phase of

contractual agreement ical capability to document the CCH project was com-

with the Georgia Tech the database, data defini- pleted on October 31, 2002.

Research Institute

tions and various programs GCIC is currently working

(GTRI) to analyze and docu- and modules. In addition, on the second phase, which

ment the current

GTRI developed database

consists of the development

Computerized Criminal

conversion rules to aid in

of a Request for Proposal

History (CCH) system. GTRI the migration of the current (RFP).

was responsible for provid- CCH database to its new

COURTS AUTOMATION

GCIC continues to be heavily involved in court disposition automation efforts. There are now 184 courts representing 114 Georgia coun-

ties with automated reporting capabilities. In addition, GCIC continues to work with the Georgia Superior Court Clerks'

Cooperative Authority (GSCCCA) to automate court disposition data from all 159 Superior Court Clerk's offices. To

date, six vendors have met the GCIC requirements for electronic transmission of final disposition information.

AFIS UPGRADE

Georgia's Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) has the ability to electronically capture and send all fingerprint cards to the FBI's (Federal Bureau of Investigation) Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS) and return state and federal identification responses to agencies that electronically submit transactions. In addition, GCIC has the capability to electronically receive arrest-booking photos (mug shots) and juvenile arrest records submitted by local law enforcement agencies.
GCIC is in the process of upgrading AFIS so that it will support the electronic receipt

of court dispositions and custodial information, allowing a timelier update of criminal history record information. In addition, the upgrade will ensure that comprehensive data is available to support background checks on persons employed in or licensed for sensitive positions and support the increasing need for criminal history record information available for authorized noncriminal justice purposes, such as background checks on persons with responsibility for children or the elderly. New hardware has been delivered and program code is currently being written.

VIRTUAL PRIVATE NETWORK

The current state router network, to which all Georgia Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) users are migrating, does not provide for the new security measures to the extent required by the FBI. Therefore, Georgia is in the

process of implementing a virtual private network (VPN). The VPN will employ 3DES encryption for CJIS data and provide secure access for criminal justice agencies. In addition, identification and two-factor authentication will be uti-

lized to ensure that the CJIS network recognizes a valid user's identity and verifies the claimed identity of the user, thereby providing an enhanced level of both system and data security.

CRIMINAL
JUSTICE
MESSAGE
SWITCH
The current Law Enforcement Message Switch (LEMS) software enables criminal justice agencies to interface with the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and the National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (NLETS), as well as with computer systems of other vital agencies. This LEMS

CRIMINAL JUSTICE
INTEGRATION INITIATIVE
GCIC 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 coordination 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.

software is over 25 years old justice community for real-

and cannot support the new time images/data on crimi-

demands of the criminal

nal offenders and suspects.

Currently, approximately 11 million transactions are processed monthly through the GCIC message switch system. The expansion of NCIC and NLETS functionalities place additional demands on the GCIC message switch system.
Georgia is in the process of replacing the current message switch software, which will support newer capabilities and mixed image/text responses. This is the first step to ensure that a modern electronic delivery capability will exist for law enforcement, judicial and correctional agencies to access and update criminal history data more efficiently. Detailed specification work has been conducted and a Statement of Need will soon be issued.

LIVE SCAN / MUG SHOT

Georgia is in the process of implementing the capability for live scan/mug shot submission. The mug shot system will have the capability to send data and images in the prescribed format, to the

transmitting live scan system that will act as a pass through for the facial images to the GBI and FBI. Live scan systems that electronically submit to the state must comply with the

FBI's Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS) Image Quality Specifications (IQS) and those amended by the GBI. This project is in the pilot phase.

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'04, DOFS was author-

ized 281 scientists, technicians, support staff, and adminis-

trative personnel. Despite carrying an average of 40 vacan-

cies, principally due to budget shortfalls, DOFS produced

more than 88,144 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 backlog is expected to be in

excess of 36,000

cases by the end of FY'05. DOFS is in

Regional Crime Labs

the process of evaluating the services provided and will be instituting changes in FY'05 that will

Central Regional Lab, Macon Northeast Regional Lab, Cleveland Coastal Regional Lab, Savannah
Eastern Regional Lab, Augusta

maximize resources

Headquarters Lab, Decatur

available to the lab. Northwest Regional Lab, Summerville

Southwest Regional Lab, Moultrie

Western Regional Lab, Columbus

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

FY'04: DOFS Cases Worked
Forensic Biology .................................................... 3,433 CODIS Database .................................................. 10,560 Chemistry ............................................................... 36,394 Firearms .................................................................. 4,343 Latent Prints .......................................................... 1,253 Questioned Documents ....................................... 369 Toxicology ............................................................... 28,189 Trace Evidence ...................................................... 466 Medical Examiner................................................... 3,137 Total.......................................... 88,144

DOFS Operations
Mark Maycock Assistant Deputy
Director
Med. Examiner's Operations

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.

Dr. Kris Sperry Chief Medical Examiner
Med. Examiner's Operations

FIREARMS SECTION

The Firearms Section ended the fiscal year with a backlog of 249 cases. During the fiscal year a significant backlog of cases accumulated in the Gunshot Residue service. Computer hard drive and subsequent software changes and problems associated with the Scanning Electron

Microscope/Energy Dispersive X-ray (SEM/EDX) contributed to the backlog. These problems have been corrected and it is anticipated that the backlog will be eliminated during the next fiscal year.
The National Integrated Ballistic Information Network

Scott Roberts Assistant Deputy
Director

(NIBIN) group within the firearms section is presently operating with a substantial backlog of test bullets and cartridge cases awaiting entry on the IBIS computer. The backlog has been gradually increasing for the last two fiscal years due to a lack of staffing.
Firearms services at the Eastern Regional Laboratory (Augusta) has ceased due to the departure of the resident examiner. Cases normally worked by the Eastern Laboratory are being worked by other regional laboratories. Forensic

firearms examination support is available at all regional laboratories except for the Eastern Regional Laboratory and the Southwestern Regional Crime Laboratory in Moultrie.
On July 14, 2003, the Firearms Section moved into their newly-renovated wing of the Headquarters Laboratory. The addition of a shooting tank room, a small range, individual laboratories, and work areas for all personnel are just a few of the improvements the renovation project provided.

IMPLIED CONSENT
Implied Consent provides training in the operation of the Intoxilyzer 5000 for the chemical testing 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'04, 40 Intoxilyzer basic certification classes were held at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center (GPSTC), training 1,122 law enforcement personnel representing 262 different agencies. Among these agencies are the Georgia State Patrol, the Department of Natural Resources, and the federally-funded Police Corp. Thirtytwo Intoxilyzer 5000 recertification classes were conducted at seven regional training centers throughout FY'04.
Overall, Georgia has approximately 9,000 certified Intoxilyzer 5000 operators to administer tests to persons arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol, operating a boat under the influence of alcohol (BUI), and other alcohol-related offenses. Georgia police agencies purchased approximately 20 new Intoxilyzer 5000 instruments during FY'04, bringing the number of certified instruments in the state to more than 500 statewide. Currently approximately 520 agencies actively participate in the GBI Implied Consent breath alcohol testing program.

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.

QUESTIONED DOCUMENTS

The Questioned Documents Section of the laboratory completed 369 cases for the fiscal year 2004. In addition to the examination of financial documents, such as suspected forged checks, Questioned Documents examiners continue to make substantial contributions to the criminal justice system. During the past year, assistance was provided to law enforcement agencies throughout the state investigating such crimes as identity theft, handwritten school bomb and death threats, extortion, drug cases, Medicaid fraud, witness intimidation, theft by public officials, and murder.
Testimony was also provided at trial in various homicide and conspiracy to commit murder cases.
In a Gwinnett County drug case, a potentially damaging witness moved to an undisclosed location to avoid being found by the defendants she was going to testify against. One of the defendants rented a post office box and sent an

anonymous certified return receipt envelope to the witnesses' old address. The post office returned the envelope as undeliverable but did provide the defendant with the witnesses' new address. The witness was subsequently murdered by other defendants involved in the case. The author of the envelope, who was identified by crime lab handwriting experts, was tried and convicted of conspiracy to commit murder.
In a cold case, law enforcement authorities in Arizona stopped an individual and searched the driver's glove box. The authorities discovered a notebook that contained a handwritten confession/suicide note admitting to an unsolved double homicide in Walker County. The individual was extradited to Georgia to stand trial. Testimony was provided at trial by laboratory personnel that the defendant prepared the handwritten note confessing to the murders. The defendant was convicted predominantly on that testimony.

FORENSIC PHOTOGRAPHY

The Forensic Photography Section of the laboratory has completely entered the digital age with a total revamping of its operation. All of the antiquated processing equipment was replaced with a state-of-theart digital mini-lab capable

of printing any format of digital media. The section is also capable of converting traditional film images to digital formats. This conversion has given the imaging specialists the tools to remain current with technology. It will also permit

Crime Lab Disciplines
Firearms Identification Compares bullets and cartridge cases to the firearms from which they were fired; utilizes the National Integrated Ballistics Identification Network (NIBIN), monitored by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF).
Latent Prints Collects, preserves, identifies, and compares fingerprints from crime scenes and physical evidence utilizing the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS).
Trace Evidence Examines evidence, including fibers, hairs, glass, shoe and tire impressions, and other forms of trace evidence, assisting in determining if a suspect was present at a crime scene.
better, more efficient capture of evidence imaging, processing and enhancement all necessary in the analysis of physical evidence by crime lab scientists.

A significant contribution by the staff of the Forensic Photography Section during the fiscal year was their participation in the documenting and processing of more than 6,000 digital photographs for credentials

for the security staff assigned to the G-8 conference at Sea Island. Photographers traveled throughout the state and to South Carolina over a several month period to assist in this project.

TOXICOLOGY

The Toxicology Section provides analysis of biological materials for alcohol, drug, and poison content. These samples may originate from either the state's Implied Consent Law or the Post-mortem Death Investigation Act. The section's toxicologists also assist during trials and hearings by providing professional, expert testimony, statewide.
In FY'04, the section completed 28,189 requests. This represented a 15 percent reduction in case volume versus FY'03. Due to vacancies being held, backlogs in this section grew to approximately 1,200 cases. Additional resources are planned for this section which should eliminate the backlog during FY'06. The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) awarded DOFS with a research grant in the

amount of $407,451. The funds went to purchase, install and institute toxicology testing on a new LCMS-MS system. This is only one of a handful of these instruments in the world dedicated solely to forensic toxicology analysis. Once standard analytical conditions are worked out and validated for the instrument, in excess of 107 drugs may be analyzed in a sample the size of two drops from standard eye dropper. This technology will, undoubtedly, change the way forensic toxicology is done in the 21st Century, both in terms of amount of sample required, the amount of pre-analytical processing needed, and personnel resources needed to perform the analysis. The confidence shown by the NIJ in the staff or the DOFS is only the most current

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.
Forensic Photography Processes and prints crime scene photographs.
Implied Consent Administers the state's breath alcohol testing program and provides training on the use of breath alcohol testing instruments.
example of the ability and willingness of DOFS scientists to employ technology to solve current and projected problems facing the laboratory.

TRACE EVIDENCE

Trace Evidence provides identifications, comparisons and analysis of hair, fibers, paint, plastic, glass, footwear, tire 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 investiga-

tion 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 approxi-

mately 150 violent criminal cases. The current average turn-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 the section.
Throughout the year, Trace Evidence

provided investigative leads to agencies. Some of these investigative leads included vehicle year, make, model, and 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'04, the section

processed 1,253 requests with an on-time rate of 91.17 percent (30 days or less). The section consists of three certified latent print examiners.

CHEMISTRY/DRUG IDENTIFICATION

The Chemistry Section received 44,957 requests

FY'04: Meth

Clandestine Laboratory Response Team were 99 in

for drug identification in FY'04. Unfortunately, dur-

submissions

FY'04. For the second consecutive

ing this time period, the

2001 ................................. 3,076

year, efforts to restrict illegal

backlog grew to more than 17,000 cases. The main reason for the backlog was

2002 ................................. 4,529 2003 ................................... 5,211

methamphetamine production in clandestine laboratories within the state of

the inability to fill 16

2004 ................................. 6,938

Georgia resulted in new legis-

vacant positions, 14 in the

lation enacted by the 2004

Headquarters' laboratory

Note: Statistics are based on

Georgia General Assembly.

and two in the regional labs.

a fiscal year calendar (July 1June 30).

This legislation controlled the number of pseudoephedrine

The Chemistry staff per-

tablets, commonly used in

formed 467 fire debris

methamphetamine produc-

services during the fiscal year compared to last tion. This new legislation stated possession of

year's total of 400 a 14 percent increase.

300 or more tablets or nine grams or more of

Chemistry has worked to meet the needs of powder containing pseudoephedrine was now

law enforcement agencies by providing addi- defined to be a felony.

tional resources to address the increased num- During the fiscal year, the staff members of

ber of clandestine methamphetamine laborato- the Chemistry Section increased its assistance

ries seized in Georgia. The Clandestine

in the training of Georgia law enforcement offi-

Laboratory Response Team (CLRT) continues cers. The two-day class provides officers who

to respond to these dangerous sites statewide successfully complete the training with the

on a 24-hour/seven-day-a-week basis.

ability to test leafy material for the presence of

Clandestine laboratory responses by the DOFS marijuana and present their findings in court.

FORENSIC BIOLOGY/DNA

In FY'04 backlogs of casework and offender DNA testing grew significantly. By yearend, the casework backlog was more than 1,200, with most of those consisting of sexual assault cases. The offender backlog grew to more than 4,700. The section reported more than 3,400 cases and 10,560 offender profiles were added to the DNA database or CODIS (Combined DNA Index System).
By the end of FY'04, the total number of samples in CODIS was 85,315. The breakdown of that number was 81,456 offenders and 3,859 casework samples. "Offender hits" are matches where an unsolved case

is linked to a convicted offender. "Forensic hits" are matches between cases that link a common perpetrator whose identity may or may not be known. In FY'04, seven forensic hits and 69 offender hits were obtained.
Since the offender law expansion in 2000, a majority of the offender hits made have involved rape cases. For FY'04, 47 percent of the hits involved burglaries and 41 percent involved rapes. The top three groups of offenders involved in these hits were incarcerated for burglary, theft, and drug offenses.

ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE

Safety, Health and Environmental Compliance has faced several challenges this fiscal year, including safety and security, respirator training, chemical hazards, and bloodborne pathogen exposure.
One of the largest projects this year was providing respiratory protection for GBI agents assigned to the G8 Summit. Medical evaluations, respirator fit testing, and training were provided for more than 300 GBI agents. This office, in conjunction with the Personnel Office, the Medical Examiner's Office, and the Investigative Division assisted with this task.
Chemical hazards associated with suspected clandestine methamphetamine laboratories were studied. Safety procedures for handling anhydrous ammonia, lithium and other clan lab evidence were given to GBI agents, DOFS chemists and

laboratory technicians. New air monitoring devices were procured and distributed to employees responding to clan lab sites. These devices have the ability to perform monthly calibrations, ensuring that the units are ready for use in the field. The units also have data collection and retention features, allowing GBI to monitor employee or bystander exposure during the investigation.
The GBI procured Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs). Used in the event of sudden cardiac arrest, the AED will increase the victim's chance of survival. These were distributed to all GBI work units. Accidents and injuries remain a concern. Incidents reported to this office were cuts (15), falls (5), lifting injuries (5), repetitive motion injuries (1), chemical exposure injuries (2), other events (3). Ten of

the cuts involved bloodborne pathogen exposures. Due to the serious consequences of this type of accident, all DOFS personnel received training regarding correct procedures. Employees are encouraged to use cut resistant gloves; however, in at least one case this protective equipment did not prevent exposure.
Safety audits have been used to identify risks and hazards. These inspections make sure that the GBI is in compliance with federal and state regulations. The Safety, Health and Environmental Compliance program will continue to emphasize accident prevention and training to ensure a safe workplace.

INFORMATION
Management

F iscal year 2004 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. Upon 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 the LIMS system. Several dozen replacement computers were installed for users to enhance their ability to perform their job functions. DOFS contin-

ued to be a leader in the area of information management with several laboratories, including the FBI laboratory, visiting the Headquarters facility to gather information to be used in implementing their own systems.

QUALITY
Systems

T he Division of Forensic Sciences continues to maintain a comprehensive quality assurance system that allows our laboratory 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 Division of Forensic Sciences was accredited to ISO 9002 stan-

dards. The GBI Division of Forensic Sciences is unique in that it is the first forensic lab in the United States to be accredited to both ISO 17025 and ASCLD/LAB standards.
During FY'04, the Western and Central laboratories achieved ASCLD/LAB accreditation in the Firearms discipline. In October of 2004, all laboratories within the Division of Forensic Sciences were involved in an ISO 17025 assessment audit. Following the assessment, all laboratories within the system achieved reaccreditation to this international standard.

FACILITY
Improvements

W ith increasing workloads at the GBI Division of Forensic Sciences laboratories, renovations, upgrades, and construction of new modern laboratory facilities were needed to keep pace with demand. The final two facilities are nearing completion and should be occupied by late 2004. Each of these facilities, one located in Moultrie and one located in Cleveland, will provide modern laboratory facilities to meet the regional needs.
New laboratories to replace existing obsolete buildings are on schedule:

A toxicology and morgue addition to the Southwestern Regional Crime Laboratory in Moultrie is scheduled for completion in November 2004.
The Northeastern Regional Crime Laboratory in Cleveland is the newest laboratory and is scheduled for completion in September 2004.
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 21 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 of all 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'04, the budget

FY'04: Total Funds Budgeted by Division
Admin.

GCIC

Investigative Division

6, 334,021

12,492,528

41,128,773

DOFS

19,197,341

Criminal Justice

staff managed an overall Annual Operating Budget

Coordinating Council (CJCC)

of $79,152,663

State Funds ............................ $332,266

(GBI only, CJCC Federal Funds ................... $56,964,056

not included),

Other Funds ....................... $11,386,574

while creating and Total ................................... $68,682,896

developing the

FY'04 Amended,

Information Technology, and FY'05 budget requests. The effort resulted in an

FY'05 state appropriation of $57,311,970 (GBI only, CJCC not included).

ACCOUNTING

all revenue collections to the state treasury on a monthly basis.

T he Accounting Unit is responsible for all accounting transactions,

The Accounts Payable Section (AP) consists of three employees and a supervisor.
This section is

including the recon-

FY'04: Finance Activity

responsible for pro-

ciliations of cash

cessing all pay-

accounts, GA Fund

ments for the GBI

I accounts, subsidiary ledgers and

70,000

and CJCC. In FY'04, the section

the general ledger. The unit also han-

60,000

52,000

disbursed approximately 17,437

dles all of the accounting transac-

50,000

checks and made more than 1,541

tions for the Criminal Justice

40,000

electronic payments for sub-grant pay-

Coordinating Council (CJCC),

30,000

20,422

ments, travel reimbursements, and

attached to the GBI for administrative

20,000

invoice payments. In addition to these

purposes. CJCC accounts for a large

10,000

8,433 1,259

day-to-day responsibilities, the sec-

portion of GBI rev-

0

tion is responsible

enue, including sev-

Purchasing Purchase Deposits Paychecks/

for all 1099 pro-

eral federal grants

Card

Orders

Dir. Dep.

cessing and semi-

as well as many

annual prompt pay

cash disbursements

reports. AP also

and sub-grant payments. The Accounting assists in travel and per diem expense rec-

Unit is a lead contact with the State

onciliations. Likewise, AP administers the

Department of Audits, supervised by the

American Express card travel program and

accounting director, and is broken down

enters payments for charges on our pur-

into three main sections: Accounts

chasing cards as well as payments for all

Receivable, Accounts Payable and Payroll. rental space.

The Accounts Receivable Section (AR) consists of three employees and a supervisor. The section is responsible for all revenue received by the GBI. In FY'04 the unit collected and recorded more than $129 million through 52,000 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 Crime Information Center (GCIC), the section received and recorded more than $1.4 million in revenue collections for instant gun check, criminal history and fingerprint-licensing programs. The section is responsible for transmitting

The Payroll Section supervisor is responsible for all GBI payroll matters and this section processes the semi-monthly payroll for all employees of the GBI and the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council. During FY'04, payroll effectively processed approximately 2,247 paychecks and 18,175 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 1,259 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'04, there were 8,433 transactions on the P-Card from more than 550 cardholders. As a result, approximately $1,637,243 in PCard 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 deputy director); an assistant deputy director (ADD); two legal assistants, and a records management technician.
OPEN RECORDS
The Open Records Unit, which includes archives management, is within Legal Services and functions under the direction of the ADD. The ADD has a legal assistant and a records management technician to assist in the processing of open records and archives requests. Requests pursuant to the Georgia Open Records Act have continued to increase, from 2,445 in FY'03 to 2,904 in FY'04. In addition to the requests, the Open Records Unit processed 97 subpoenas, 62 court orders, 105 production of document requests, and orchestrated the release of more than 140 biological specimens.
The Open Records Unit continued to provide training sessions to various criminal justice agencies throughout the state regarding the Open Records Act. More than 900 personnel were trained on this subject

throughout the year.

Mark B. Jackson
Director

In addi-

tion to the

open records function, Legal Services pro-

vides legal information to the GBI and its

employees via training and legal updates.

The office conducted 22 training sessions for

current agents, new agents and supervisors.

During FY'04, seven new civil cases were

filed and 22 civil cases were resolved. The

office coordinated with the Georgia Attorney

General's Office in handling these cases.

The Legal Services Division drafted pro-

posed legislation regarding criminal penal-

ties to individuals who expose children to

the harmful elements of the manufacturing

of methamphetamine. The bill also increases

the penalties when a child suffers physical

injury from the exposure.

During the G-8 Summit, Legal Services

was responsible for swearing in approxi-

mately 1,170 local and state law enforce-

ment officers as temporary special agents.

Prior to swearing in these officers, Legal

Services prepared a Memorandum of

Understanding, Oath of Office, Officer

Certification and Certification of Officer

forms for use in obtaining needed information from the 99 agencies who assisted during the G-8 Summit. P.O.S.T. (Peace Officers Standards & Training) records were checked for all officers to ensure compliance with state law training requirements. Upon completion of the Memorandums of Understanding between

the agency head and the GBI director, these officers were sworn in by Legal Services at different venues throughout the state of Georgia and even South Carolina. The swearing-in process began in late April and continued right up until two days before the summit began.

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'04 the Office of Professional

Standards documented its investigations through three primary means: internal affairs

investigations, preliminary inquiries, and reviews of incidents. OPS also conducts exit

interviews and reviews all uses of force by GBI agents and Drug Task Force agents that

are GBI supervised.

During FY'04, the Office of Professional Standards:
Conducted 21 internal affairs investigations
Conducted nine preliminary inquiries
Conducted four reviews of incidents

Conducted 17 reviews of use of force Conducted 79 exit interviews. Conducted 25 personnel actions not requiring a formal investigation.

PERSONNEL
Office

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

Administrative Section of the GBI in all human resource matters. The routine responsibilities include the following: recruiting and hiring of new employees; processing personnel transactions;

LuAnne Worley
Director
handling employee relations matters; classifying positions; developing new and revising

existing agency jobs; moni-

toring the compensation

structure; establishing mini-

mum job qualifications; administering Equal

FY'04: Employee Breakdown

Employment Opportunity (EEO) services; administer-

CJCC

Admin.

ing the agency's drug screening program; overseeing the performance man-

GCIC

54 30

Investigative Division

agement process; assisting employees with benefits; serving as the liaison for

121 389

workers' compensation;

coordinating the student

235

internship and youth

Total

apprenticeship programs;

Employees

and managing the Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

DOFS

806

The Office of Personnel

coordinated management

training for new supervisors,

which included evaluating

employee performance and were available to a diverse and assistance for the

legal issues. Personnel

population by making its

national reaccreditation

Office staff made concerted job vacancy notices availefforts to ensure that equal able to a variety of audi-

process through the Commission on

employment opportunities

ences and organizations. The office

Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies

also provid- (CALEA) as well as imple-

FY'04: Personnel Office Activity
Approximately 719 applications for employ-

ed recruitment information via private and

mented an agency telework program. Representatives of the Personnel Office are currently participating in

ment were received and processed.

government statewide meetings to pro-

Approximately 574 personnel transactions were completed and processed (promotions, new appointments, transfers, retirements, separation, etc.).

web sites. In addition to their regular duties,

vide input into the new Career Banding System, the state's new classification system that will be imple-

Approximately 120 applications were

Personnel

mented in 2006.

processed for the internship program, with 25 college students placed.

Office staff provided

information

PUBLIC
Affairs

Disseminating information to the media and the public falls under the domain of the Public Affairs Office. The staff of two a director and a public

John Bankhead
Director

affairs officer acts as a liaison between the agency and

the media/public, coordinating the release of information on investigations, missing per-

sons, fugitives, agency achievements, 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 newsletters 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 public's requests for

information via electronic mail.

WEB SITE
During FY'04, more than 10.1 million hits were recorded to the GBI Web site. The site can be viewed at www.ganet.org/gbi.
FY'04: Web Site Hits
Sex Offender Registry ....................... 7,230,562 Crime Scene Specialist............................. 945,304 Employment ................................................. 203,817 Criminal History .......................................... 66,916 GCIC ............................................................... 51,293 Wanted Persons .......................................... 50,370 DOFS .............................................................. 35,276 Unidentified Remains .................................. 33,437 Unsolved Cases .............................................. 20,568 Missing Persons ........................................... 19,520
The above statistics represent the most visited pages on the GBI Web site and are 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'04:
Northeast Regional Crime Lab & Region-8 Investigative Office, Cleveland:
These two facilities were built on approximately eight acres of land near Cleveland (White County). The new investigative office is now furnished and occupied. It replaced an older facility located in Gainesville that no longer met operational needs.
The crime laboratory is completed and furnished. The instrumentation is being purchased and will be installed in fall of 2004. Occupancy of the facility will begin in fall 2004. When staffed and equipped, it will be

able to provide forensic services local to the northeast region of the state.
Central Regional Crime Lab: Construction is complete on a new 15,000-square-foot Central Regional Crime Lab in Macon (Bibb County). It is occupied and fully operational. This facility replaces the existing 21-year-old 7,000-square-foot laboratory building and provides much needed modern laboratory space and a morgue. The facility consists of two structures, the lab

building and a freestanding morgue building.

Jon Paget
Director

Southwestern Regional Crime Lab: Construction is almost complete on a laboratory and morgue annex to the Southwestern Regional Crime Lab in Moultrie (Colquitt County). Like the Coastal Regional Crime Lab Annex completed last year, this 10,000-squarefoot addition provides additional toxicology lab space, a medical examiner suite and morgue.
Crime Analysis Garages: This proj-

ect provides for the building freestanding crime analysis garages at six of regional investigative offices. These garages will provide office space, a garage bay and lab space for the regional crime scene specialist. Three of these garages were completed at regional investigative offices in Perry, Thomasville, and Kingsland prior to FY'04. The fourth garage in Athens,

Southwestern lab: Construction is almost complete to additional lab space at the crime laboratory in Moultrie. New space will provide scientists with state-of-the-art testing facilities.

and a fifth one in Eastman were just completed. Evidence is brought to these specialized garages and processed in a controlled environment.
GCIC Renovation: This project was completed this year. It renovated the open office space currently occupied by GCIC to

provide a more efficient layout. It updated furniture system and revised power, phone and computer distribution. Georgia Correctional Industries provided and installed the workstations. Required power, phone and computer modifications were simultaneously 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 $900,000-worth of 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'04 this section worked closely with Investigative Staff Services on the following special details: Issued new gas masks and accessories to all GBI agents during in-service training at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center.
Received and prepared equipment to be issued for the G-8 Summit on Sea Island.
Issued mass fatality and clandestine lab equipment to designated agents.
Inventoried and transferred out-dated body armor to a police academy for training purposes.

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 includ accident reporting and the management of the surplus property program, commercial fuel cards and undercover commercial accounts.

OTHER SUPPORT SERVICES
Staff Services is responsible for: The administration of the Headquarters' security personnel and maintenance contracts Telecommunications management Risk management Security and access management Contract administration.

ORGANIZATIONAL
Chart
Board of Public Safety--Governor Sonny Perdue, Chairman
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, Chief of Operations).