The Investigative Services Division's primary function is to prepare a case for a successful prosecution by the District Attorney's office in Santa Ana. The Division is commanded by a Captain and is composed of several units whose primary mission is to investigate crimes and prepare cases for a successful prosecution.

The Violent Crimes Unit investigates:

• Homicides
• Robberies
• Rapes and sexual assaults
• Child abuse
• Assaults
• Stalking
• Domestic violence
• Sexual predators and prison parolees
• Lewd or annoying conduct
• Elder abuse
• Hate crimes
• Missing persons

Additionally, the VCU has a well-equipped forensic laboratory with the capability of processing most evidence from crime scenes. The lab also analyzes fingerprints and submits them to the CAL-ID system for identification.

The VCU is composed of one sergeant, seven detectives, one domestic violence Police Service Officer and one Forensic Specialist.

The Property Crimes Unit investigates:

• Burglaries
• Thefts
• Auto Theft
• Fraud
• Worthless documents and bad checks
• The unit also has one detective and an officer from the Patrol Division whose primary responsibility is to present the D.A.R.E. program to fifth grade classes in the Orange Unified School District. These two also investigate runaway juveniles.
• A School Resource Officer who investigates many crimes that occur on the campuses of the Orange Unified School District.

The Economic Crimes Unit investigates major fraud and computer related crimes.

Our Property section receives evidence, as well as found and "safekeeping" property. Property held by us can be released Monday through Thursday from 8:00am to 5pm. To avoid untimely delays, an appointment to release property should be made with the Property Officer at 714-744-7395.

The unit has a police artist/detective who is nationally known for his work in computerized age progression. We have the unique capability to take the last known photograph of a long term missing child and create an "age progressed" image. See the example to the right. By combining powerful computer technology, science and art, we can give law enforcement a projection of what the child may look like today. This has proven to be an invaluable tool in the nationwide search and recovery of missing children.

The PCU is staffed with one sergeant, eight detectives, one D.A.R.E. officer, one school resource officer, two property officers, a police service officer who investigates bad checks, a police service officer who works as court liaison with the District Attorney, and a police service officer assigned to property and evidence. The Economic Crimes Unit is composed of two detectives and one police service officer.