5-08/030.10 - Patrol or Detective Personnel Requests in Field

It shall be the responsibility of the employee taking the crime report to use his knowledge and training to determine if a request for Latent Print Section personnel shall be made.  When it is decided that Latent Print Section personnel is not necessary, employees shall use discretion in discussions with the victim.

The following cases do not normally warrant the services of a Latent Print Section personnel:

• All misdemeanor crimes, for example:
  • Petty theft from vehicles;
  • Bicycle thefts and recoveries; and
  • Malicious mischief with minor damage;
• All auto burglaries unless heavy loss or unusual circumstances, e.g., several cars hit at same time on auto lot, or suspect in custody;
• Garage burglaries unless heavy loss or forced entry or workable information; and
• Auto thefts, or motorcycle thefts, unless stripped, other felony crime suspects named or in custody or SVS has "Hold for Prints."

In most circumstances, loss or damage is to be considered heavy when it is in excess of $1,000.

The Station/Unit Watch Commander or Detective Bureau Commander has the authority to make exceptions to any of the above crime categories.