Honoring and congratulating the Crime Scene Unit of the Philadelphia Police Department upon celebrating its 50th Anniversary.

WHEREAS, In 1952, the Philadelphia Police Department Homicide Unit was interested in forming a team of specialists to respond to crime scenes so that forensic evidence could be recovered and processed. Applicants for this new unit were chosen from among the most qualified people within the ranks of the Philadelphia Police Department. These specially trained officers formed the beginning of the Mobile Crime Detection Unit; and

WHEREAS, Although first formed under the Criminal Investigation Division, the Mobile Crime Detection Unit would be referred to by many names over the years, including: Crime Detection Laboratory, Mobile Crime Lab, Crime Lab, and most recently, the Crime Scene Unit; and

WHEREAS, It has been the Crime Scene Unit’s history to set the standard for professionalism and performance. In the past, other jurisdictions have looked to Philadelphia for training and guidance. The Federal Protection Agency, military personnel, DEA, ATF, and FBI are just some of the agencies that have been trained by past and present members of the Crime Scene Unit; and

WHEREAS, Members of this elite unit have aided in the arrest and prosecution of this City’s most notorious criminals over the past fifty years by performing their tasks with tireless dedication and commitment. Whether it’s a fingerprint, footwear impression, bloodstain or a hair that was uncovered, technicians have consistently found and recovered crucial evidence to implicate the guilty and exonerate the innocent; now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby honors and congratulates the Crime Scene Unit of the Philadelphia Police Department upon celebrating its 50th Anniversary.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the Crime Scene Unit of the Philadelphia Police Department as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.

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