The Criminal Investigations Division, or C.I.D., is under the command of Captain Jason Daffin and is responsible for investigating persons and property crimes occurring in Bay County. In addition to the investigation and prosecution of criminals, these professionals are responsible for crime scene investigations, administration of truth verification devices, gathering and compiling of criminal intelligence and evidence processing and storage. 

Sixteen investigators are assigned major crimes such as homicides, rapes robberies, and home invasions, as well as property crimes such as auto thefts, burglaries, and financial or fraud cases like pyramid schemes and credit card scams.

This division also includes investigators who work with the Gulf Coast Advocacy Center  and specialize in crimes against children, a unit that specialize in Domestic Violence crimes, investigators who focus on sexual offenders and predators and monitor internet traffic for offenders who target children. The Crime Scene Unit provides highly trained crime scene investigators, who gather and study evidence and present it in the courtroom at trial. 

Because of the advanced technology and training contained within this division, investigators are frequently asked to assist other municipalities with all aspects of crime investigations. The implementation of the Cold Case Squad (experienced investigators from area law enforcement agencies assigned to work unsolved homicides) has already seen several old murder cases solved and the unit continues to look at other unsolved cases.

The Criminal Investigations Division continues to work with local, state, and federal agencies as well as working hand in hand with the prosecutors office.

The Bay County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigations (CSI) Unit is comprised of sworn law enforcement officers who have received extensive specialized training in the documentation, collection, preservation, and analysis of physical evidence. Our investigators receive ongoing professional training to remain current with evolving forensic techniques and investigative standards.

Training completed by members of the unit includes specialized instruction in areas such as:

• Buried Bodies and Surface Skeletal Remains

• Forensic Entomology at Death Scenes

• Crime Scene Processing Workshops

• Science of Fingerprints and Latent Print Identification

• Cyanoacrylate (Super Glue) Fuming Techniques

• Shooting Incident Reconstruction

• Forensic Photography and Digital Imaging

• Bloodstain Pattern Analysis and Interpretation

• Crime Scene Reconstruction

• Evidence Documentation and Presentation at Trial

• Shoe and Tire Impression Recovery

• Explosive Devices Awareness

• Crime Scene Safety

• Forensic Anthropology

Investigators also participate in numerous professional training seminars through the Florida Division of the International Association for Identification (FDIAI) and other accredited forensic training organizations.

Responsibilities of a Crime Scene Investigator

Crime Scene Investigators are responsible for the systematic examination of crime scenes. Their duties include documenting the conditions present at the scene and providing investigators, prosecutors, and ultimately the jury with an accurate representation of the scene and the relationship between items of evidence.

CSI personnel evaluate items located at the scene to determine their relevance and evidentiary value in relation to the crime under investigation. Investigators preserve, collect, and properly package physical evidence, and process items that cannot be removed from the scene. Once collected, evidence is submitted to the appropriate forensic laboratory or examiner for further analysis.

Following scene processing, investigators prepare detailed reports documenting the actions taken, evidence collected, and observations made during the investigation.

Purpose of Crime Scene Investigation

The primary purpose of crime scene investigation is to establish what occurred through crime scene reconstruction and to help identify the individual responsible for the offense. The ability to recognize, document, and properly collect physical evidence is often critical to both solving and successfully prosecuting violent crimes.

In many cases, the law enforcement officer who secures and processes the crime scene plays a pivotal role in determining whether physical evidence can be effectively used during an investigation and in court.

The Reality of Crime Scene Investigation

Unlike portrayals in television and film, crime scene investigation is a complex and time-intensive process. Successful investigations require patience, attention to detail, and a methodical approach. Investigators must avoid drawing premature conclusions and instead develop multiple possible explanations for the events that occurred. As new information and evidence are discovered, these theories are evaluated and refined.

Careful documentation, physical evidence, and witness information work together to help investigators reconstruct events and determine the facts of the case.

No one, not even someone you live with, has the right to hit you or threaten you with violence. There are laws to protect you. If you are being physically or sexually abused or threatened by a family or household member you may be a victim of domestic violence. You need not be married to the abuser or related to be protected under the law. Family or household member is defined as any spouse, former spouse, person related by blood or marriage, or any other household member who is or was living in the same household as you. In addition, the law also protects you from abuse by a person with whom you have a child in common. 

Protection from Domestic Violence: If you have been abused physically or sexually, or have reason to fear you may become a victim of domestic violence, Florida law enables you to file for a Petition for Injunction for Protection Against Domestic Violence; it explains your situation to the judge and tells the court from whom you need protection. An Injunction For Protection is a court document that states a particular person must not have contact with another person. You are eligible for an Injunction for Protection if you have lived with the abuser at some time and were recently the victim of abuse and/or threatened with abuse by the abuser. 

3421 N Highway 77
Panama City, FL 32405

(850) 747-4700

5700 Star Lane
Panama City, FL 32404

(850) 785-5245
(850) 215-5140