The Criminal Investigations Division and the Uniform Patrol Division have an interlocking working relationship responding to crimes committed and reported.

With few exceptions, Uniform Patrol Division deputies initiate reports of alleged criminal activity.

Those reports are forwarded to the Criminal Investigations Division, where investigators begin the process of determining the validity of the reported incident and whether a crime was committed.

Once a crime report is validated by CID personnel, an investigation begins to identify the offender, recover any property stolen, and develop a case that will lead to an arrest and conviction.

PROPERTY CRIMES
The Property Crimes Section consists of investigators who focus on specific types of property crimes, processing crimes such as burglary, thefts, and motor vehicle thefts.

FINANCIAL CRIMES
The Financial Crimes Section focuses on investigating a variety of financial crimes, including identity theft, forgery, and financial transaction card fraud.

PERSON CRIMES
The Person Crimes Section focuses on crimes committed against a person, including robbery, assault, sexual assault, and child abuse.

This unit also handles missing persons cases.

CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION
The Crime Scene Unit identifies, collects, preserves, and conducts examinations of physical evidence recovered at crime scenes and other investigations.

The unit also provides technical assistance to the Sheriff's Office staff and other agencies as necessary.

Members of the Crime Scene Unit are specially trained in the use of alternate light sources, scientific chemical testing, advanced photography techniques, advanced fingerprint lifting techniques, and latent print examination.

This unit can process everything from a minor crime scene to a complex homicide.

ABOUT INVESTIGATIONS
Most investigations are initiated by the Uniform Patrol Division and, when possible, resolved by Patrol.

However, some cases are more complex and may require the additional time and skillset offered by CID to bring the case to resolution.

Cases may be initiated directly by the Criminal Investigations Division.

CID also responds to and assumes investigative authority over all major crimes and crime scene investigations within Habersham County 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

CID personnel not only specialize in conducting broad-based investigations but also in processing crime scenes, conducting surveillance, and undercover operations.