Scene and Evidence Services Command
To view information about the Crime Scene Services check out the PDF below:
- Crime Scene Services Area Map Opens in new window
- TCRU Service Map Opens in new window
- Agency Information Opens in new window
SESC Overview
Scene and Evidence Services Command (SESC) consists of Crime Scene Services (CSS), the Traffic Crash Reconstruction Unit (TCRU), and the Statewide Evidence Vault (SEV). SESC strives to provide quality crime scene and traffic crash processing to our user agencies, to be a reliable custodian of evidence for the Illinois State Police, and to consistently go beyond what is expected. SESC will provide services to any law enforcement agency within the State of Illinois.
Crime Scene Services Overview:
Approximately 40 Crime Scene Investigators (CSIs) are assigned to five regions (Crime Scene Services Area MapOpens in new window) with the goal of responding to property crime and violent crime anywhere in the State within one hour. CSIs are trained in photography, scene diagramming, surface remains and buried body recovery, entomology collection, and evidence processing, preservation and packaging. Several CSIs have received additional training in Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) operations, forensic art, bloodstain pattern analysis and bullet trajectory analysis. These disciplines help identify suspects based on witness descriptions and reconstruct events at crime scenes where bloodshed occurred, or firearms were used. CSS utilizes the UAS during incidents involving missing persons, significant risk of terrorism, natural disasters, public health emergencies and to document crime scenes.CSIs work in a real-time, paperless environment by utilizing an iPad application on scene to document scene observations and evidence collection. This application integrates with the Forensic Sciences Command (FSC) laboratory information management system to allow for the seamless transfer of evidence.
The regular hours of operation for CSS are 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M., seven days a week. During these hours of operation, CSIs respond to both property crimes and crimes against persons. Outside of these regular hours, CSIs continue to respond to all crimes against persons cases, while response to major property crimes/property crimes that have high evidence potential are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. To request a CSI, the CSS Command Center can be contacted 24-hours a day at 800-892-4095.
Traffic Crash Reconstruction Overview:
The Illinois State Police began providing traffic crash reconstructions in 1982, with six officers completing training and receiving certifications. Traffic Crash Reconstruction Officers (TCRO) were assigned to ISP Districts and received operational supervision from District Command until the establishment of the Traffic Crash Reconstruction Unit in 2014. The TCRU is supervised by a Lieutenant and two Master Sergeants, each overseeing operations in the Northern and Southern Regions of the state. TCROs utilize highly technical investigative equipment and software to investigate complex crash scenes including: Unmanned Aircraft Systems, GPS-laser total stations, airbag and engine control module readers, and PIX4D mapping software. TCROs attend extensive training to achieve certification as Crash Reconstruction Specialists and attend over 120 hours of training in new vehicle technology each year to keep up with technological developments in the automotive industry. The ISP TCROs have been recognized by numerous Illinois courts as expert witnesses in the field of crash reconstruction by providing expert testimony in criminal and civil crash proceedings. TCRU Service Map Opens in new window
