Investigation & Support Bureau

The Investigation & Support Bureau (ISB) conducts follow-up investigations of crimes committed against persons or property in the City of New Orleans that require a degree of specialization or a centralized investigative approach.

The mission of the Investigation & Support Bureau is to conduct quality, thorough and factual investigations which lead to arrests and the successful prosecution of individuals who prey upon on law-abiding citizens. 

Leadership 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deputy Superintendent Nicholas Gernon

Overview

The Crime Lab and Evidence Division serves as NOPD's central hub for forensic science and evidence management. Our teams handle the entire lifecycle of evidence: from collection and processing to storage and final disposition. Through two primary sections, we provide crucial scientific support for criminal investigations while maintaining the highest standards of evidence integrity.

Scientific Criminal Investigations Section (SCIS)

Crime Scene Unit

Our 24/7 Crime Scene Unit responds to active crime scenes throughout New Orleans. These skilled technicians document crime scenes through detailed photography and sketches, collect physical evidence, and process scenes for fingerprints. Available around the clock, they provide essential support to law enforcement personnel during critical investigations.

Criminalistics Unit

This specialized unit conducts professional chemical analysis of suspected controlled substances, providing scientific validation crucial for criminal investigations and court proceedings.

Forensic Support Unit

• Our Forensic Support team provides advanced scientific services through several specialized areas:
• The Forensic Investigative team focuses on developing latent fingerprints and providing other specialized forensic services.
  • Within our Firearms Unit, expert technicians examine all gun-related evidence for potential connections to other crimes. They utilize the National Integrated Ballistics Network (NIBIN) to link firearms evidence across cases, test-fire weapons, and provide detailed analysis of firearms used in crimes.

Central Evidence & Property Section (CE&P)

Our state-of-the-art facility operates 24/7, processing approximately 100 new items daily. Every piece of evidence or property receives careful handling with strict attention to security and integrity. We utilize advanced technology and best practices to ensure proper storage and management of all items in our care.

Public Services

We maintain a public-release window Monday through Friday, providing citizens with professional assistance in retrieving their property. Our team is committed to returning property to rightful owners whenever possible while ensuring all evidence handling meets legal requirements and departmental standards.

Quality Assurance

All SCIS personnel are prepared to testify in court regarding their evidence handling and analysis. They provide expert interpretation of their findings and explain their methodologies to ensure transparency in the judicial process.

About Our Division

The Criminal Investigative Division stands at the heart of NOPD's detective work, bringing together specialized units dedicated to solving and preventing crimes across New Orleans. Our comprehensive approach encompasses five key sections, each staffed by expert investigators trained to handle specific types of cases.

Our Investigative Sections

Homicide Section

Our Homicide Section leads all homicide investigations in New Orleans while providing crucial support for district investigations of suicides and unclassified deaths. Within this section, our Cold Case Unit applies modern investigative techniques and new technology to solve long-standing cases. Using advanced DNA analysis, fingerprint databases, and collaborative partnerships, we work tirelessly to bring closure to families affected by unsolved crimes.

If you have information about an unsolved case, please contact our Cold Case Homicide Section at (504) 658-5300.

Special Victims Section

This section houses three specialized units designed to handle our most sensitive cases with expertise and compassion.

The Sex Crimes Unit investigates sexual assaults, maintains sex offender registration, and pursues cold case sexual assaults. Their specialized training ensures thorough investigation while supporting survivors through the process.

Our Child Abuse Unit focuses exclusively on protecting young victims, investigating cases of physical abuse, neglect, sexual molestation, and unexplained infant deaths. When children under 18 are victims and there's a custodial relationship with the offender, this unit takes the lead in seeking justice.

The Domestic Violence Unit handles follow-up investigations on domestic incidents, focusing on cases involving aggravated battery, assault, burglary, and kidnapping. They also oversee investigations of elderly abuse, working closely with state agencies to protect vulnerable residents.

We recognize that support for victims and witnesses extends beyond the investigation. Our assistance unit provides comprehensive services including safety planning, crisis intervention, and advocacy. We help connect individuals with crime victim reparations programs, counseling services, and community resources while keeping them informed about their case progress.

Community Partnerships

Success in criminal investigations requires strong community relationships. We maintain active partnerships with community organizations, government agencies, and support services to ensure comprehensive assistance for those affected by crime.

Property Crimes Section

The Property Crimes Section is a centralized investigative section consisting of the Auto Theft Unit, the Towing and Recovery Unit, the Bicycle Registration Unit, the White Collar/Forgery Unit, the Pawnshop Unit, and the Digital Forensics Unit. These units function in a support capacity to the eight police districts and the other investigative sections.

Juvenile Section

The Juvenile Section is separated into the Intake Unit, the Missing and Parental Kidnapping Unit, and the Curfew Unit.

The Intake Unit consists of booking, photographing and fingerprinting the arrested juveniles. The juveniles that can be released for releasable offenses are released to a parent or guardian. The juveniles that are held for court are transported to the Juvenile Justice Intervention Center until they appear in court. The intake unit prepares paperwork for the District Attorney’s Office. It also serves as a liaison with the District Attorney’s Office and Juvenile Court.

Missing Juvenile Unit investigates instances where juveniles that become missing under special circumstances such as juvenille’s age, mental deficiency, or suspected foul play. They also investigate juveniles that are kidnapped by a parent with the intent not to return the child to the legal parent.

The Curfew Center is staffed by members of the Juvenile Section. The juveniles that are picked up for curfew violations are transported to the curfew center. The paperwork is processed and the juvenile is released to the parent or guardian.

District Attorney Section

Detectives assigned to the District Attorney Section are assigned a variety of duties, including investigation of previously refused homicide cases, as well as contractor fraud cases, victim and witness intimidation cases, and other criminal matters. They assist in bringing victims, witnesses, and evidence to and from court appearances. They are occasionally tasked with providing victim and witness protection, and escort Assist District Attorneys and Victim/Witness Counselors to and from all homicide scenes, and rape scenes, when requested. They maintain a presence in and provide security for the District Attorney's Office. One detective is assigned to Juvenile Court, where he escorts victims and witnesses to and from court appearances, retrieves evidence from Central Evidence and Property, and maintains the Juvenile Court evidence room.