The Bellingham Police Department provides fingerprinting and property retrieval services.
If you have property you need to claim from Evidence & Identification, please call 360-778-8743 to schedule an appointment.
Evidence and Identification consists of three work groups that collect, analyze, and hold property as evidence or for safekeeping.
- Evidence:
- Consists of a sergeant and two civilian technicians.
- Catalog and maintain the records for and physical custody of approximately 10,000 items impounded each year.
- Prepare evidence for shipping to the Washington State Crime Lab and maintain the chain of custody on all items in their care.
- Transport evidence to court and testify to the chain of custody.
- Identify the owners and return impounded property.
- May be reached at (360) 778-8743 Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM.
- Crime Scene Investigations:
- Consists of two Evidence and Identification Officers (CSI unit leads) and four uniform patrol CSIs who specialize in the identification, collection, and packaging of evidence.
- Work as a team of three to provide 24-hour coverage.
- Analyze and test evidence or prepare the evidence to be sent to the crime lab.
- Areas of expertise:
- Detection and development of latent prints.
- Examination of fingerprints. We have four Latent Print Examiners who use the Automated Biometric Indexing System. This is operated through the WSP Crime Lab System and the Washington Information Network.
- Digital photography.
- Collection and preservation of DNA samples.
- Blood spatter.
- Diagraming and documentation of crime scenes.
- Computer and Audio Visual Forensics:
- Consists of two Computer Forensic Officers and one Audiovisual Forensic Officer. They collect, preserve, and analyze evidence from computers, cell phones, tablets, and video systems.
- They are on call 24/7 to assist officers, crime scene investigators, and detectives. They maintain uniforms and assist patrol in times of need.
- Training is intensive and ongoing with classes ranging from five days to several weeks. Our officers maintain all required certifications and licenses.
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