Technical Investigations Division

The Crime Scene Unit assists local law enforcement agencies in felony investigations by processing crime scenes for physical evidence and providing expert forensic testimony in court.

BCI’s crime-scene investigators are among the most highly trained and best equipped in the nation. They use the latest forensic techniques and state-of-the-art equipment to support local investigations, ensuring the best opportunity for identifying and prosecuting criminals.

The Crime Scene Unit can respond 24/7 to homicides, questioned deaths, officer-involved critical incidents, major burglaries, sexual assaults, and other felony cases requiring specialized evidence recovery.

Specialized capabilities

• Bloodstain-pattern analysis
• Shooting-incident reconstruction
• Crime-scene documentation using Leica 3D scanners
• Detection of latent blood using chemical reagents
• Fingerprint development and recovery
• Drone photography and missing-person support
• Investigation of clandestine gravesites
• Training in evidence preservation and collection

Crime-scene reconstruction experts

BCI crime-scene investigators are nationally recognized experts in reconstructing complex crime scenes. Whether the incident involves bloodstain-pattern interpretation, shooting-incident reconstruction, or multi-scene analysis, our team applies proven methodologies and cutting-edge technology to piece together critical forensic evidence — delivering clear, defensible findings in support of investigative and prosecutorial efforts.

Need assistance?

Assistance is available 24/7 to local law enforcement agencies. To request help, call the BCI Radio Room at 855-BCI-OHIO (855-224-6446).

The Cyber Crimes Unit helps local officials deal with the increasingly complex technical and legal issues involved in investigating and prosecuting criminal cases that have a digital component.

Cases handled by the Cyber Crimes Unit include cyber-evidenced criminal activity, cyber-facilitated criminal activity, and traditional cyber crime.

Services offered include the forensic acquisition and analysis of data from computers, smartphones, data storage devices, motor vehicles, and various other electronic devices. Special agents in the Cyber Crimes Unit can also assist with the drafting and execution of search warrants for physical locations, physical devices, and online information.

Unit members can assist agencies that want field-based assistance and that just need to submit devices for data acquisition and analysis. They also can write expert reports to help a jury understand not only that certain data exists on a device but also how that data came to be on the device, as well as factors that can help with user attribution.

Specialized capabilities

• Cyber-evidenced crime: Most traditional criminal activity can now be evidenced through modern devices. Whether it’s a home-surveillance system capturing video of a crime or text messages detailing crime plans, the unit’s expertise in digital forensics can help find evidence needed to bring truth to light in criminal investigations.
• Cyber-facilitated crime: Old scams die hard, especially when modern communication makes such crimes easier, faster, and cheaper to carry out than in the past. Romance scams, investment scams, sextortion, and similar crimes are more prevalent than ever. The Cyber Crimes Unit, often working with the Electronic Fraud Unit and/or the Criminal Intelligence Unit, can help piece together the digital artifacts to stop the perpetrators or help recover some of a victim’s losses.
• Traditional cyber crime: Computer hacking, cyber vandalism, and ransomware continue to be reported by everyday computer users. The Cyber Crimes Unit can help to investigate, mitigate, and disrupt these types of crimes, and can provide guidance for individuals and institutions suffering such attacks.
• Investigative and field assistance: Almost all investigations now have a cyber component. If you need help, guidance, or advice for drafting and serving legal process on remote computing service providers, electronic communication service providers, or other third-party data custodians, the Cyber Crimes Unit can provide it. If field response is needed, our special agents can assist on-site to triage evidentiary items, offer investigative support, and/or provide real-time actionable information from digital sources to the investigative team.

The Forensic Accounting Unit provides specialized financial investigative services to law enforcement agencies throughout Ohio. Staffed by credentialed forensic accountants, the unit supports felony-level investigations involving complex financial crimes and fraud.

These professionals are trained to assist at every stage of an investigation — from developing investigative strategies and analyzing financial records to conducting interviews and presenting expert testimony in court.

Specialized capabilities

The Forensic Accounting Unit helps uncover and explain the financial aspects of criminal activity. Our team works closely with detectives, prosecutors, and other investigative personnel to:

• Trace the flow of illicit funds.
• Identify and document financial motives.
• Analyze bank records, ledgers, and digital transactions.
• Identify victims and quantify losses.
• Prepare exhibits and reports for court proceedings.

Types of cases we support

Financial elements are often central to a wide range of criminal activity. The unit has played a crucial role in investigations involving:

• Homicide, uncovering financial motives or tracing funds used in the commission of violent crimes.
• Narcotics trafficking, identifying money laundering operations and illegal proceeds.
• Public corruption, exposing embezzlement, bribery, and misuse of public funds.
• Investment fraud, analyzing Ponzi schemes, securities fraud, and deceptive financial practices.
• Mass theft and fraud, investigating large-scale scams, elder fraud, and cyber-enabled financial crimes.

Collaboration and innovation

The Forensic Accounting Unit is a key partner in the newly established BCI Electronic Fraud Investigations Unit, which focuses on digital and cyber-enabled financial crimes. This collaboration enhances the state’s ability to respond to increasingly sophisticated fraud schemes that exploit technology and online platforms.

In fiscal year 2025, the unit:

• Assisted 111 law enforcement agencies statewide.
• Supported 150 criminal investigations.
• Helped victims recover from losses totaling more than $110 million.

These efforts not only support justice for victims but also help deter future financial crimes by holding offenders accountable.

Need assistance?

Ohio law enforcement agencies can request support from the Forensic Accounting Unit through BCI’s case-intake process. The unit prioritizes cases with significant financial complexity or public impact. Call 855-BCI-OHIO.

The Narcotics Unit works with local law enforcement to combat illicit drug activity, which may range from individual street-level trafficking to complex, multijurisdictional trafficking organizations.

Special agents assigned to the Narcotics Unit can assist local law enforcement and drug interdiction task forces with manpower and resources.

The Narcotics Unit employs overt and covert investigative methods to aid in the apprehension and prosecution of narcotic trafficking organizations. The unit’s primary focus is assisting local law enforcement in targeting those involved in the manufacture, transportation, distribution and sale of illegal drugs throughout Ohio.

The Technical Operations Unit offers multiple services involving specialized technical skills. Among other things, unit members:

• Provide direct field support for law enforcement agencies through the installation and use of technology such as body wires and other audio- and video-recording devices, wiretaps, and GPS tracking devices. Operations can be covert or overt.
• Train both state and local law enforcement officers in the use and deployment of surveillance equipment.
• Facilitate remote child-victim testimony and depositions.