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Crime scene van now on the job
By Michßal Kurtz
Staff Writer
Detective work at the Sheriff’s office is going
mobile thanks to a new law enforcement van and
forensic scientist.
Crime Scene Technician Katrina McDonald is in
charge of gathering evidence and other information
at crime scenes. With the department’s new van, the
job is being done more quickly.
“Everything we need is ready to go,” McDonald
said. “The van is stocked with all the equipment we
would use.”
Located within the vehicle’s drawers and cabinets
are powders, sprays and chemicals which can be
used to trace everything from blood stains to finger
prints.
The van is equipped with Luminal -a spray
designed to light up blood. McDonald said Luminal
can find blood stains on dark cloth and other areas
not easily searched by human eyes.
One set of chemicals allows the detectives to pull
fingerprints off such everyday items as pieces of
paper.
“We do a lot of chemical work in finding latent
print,” she said.
An ultraviolet light is also on board. McDonald
said the light is used a lot in domestic violence
cases since it can pick up semen traces and bruises,
EZONINGS from 1A
matter, saying that the fence is
needed “so I don’t have to look at
this eyesore.” County codes
require some form of buffer when
a commercial property backs up to
a residential one. County officials
* said the fence would take the
’ place of a buffer.
< Other rezoning applications
before the commission on Mon
■day night will include:
%
C • White Repair & Contracting
Co. Inc. has applied to rezone
136.63 acres on Peachtree Parkway
land Vaughan Road from agricul
jtyral/residential to commercial.
The Planning Commission has
recommended approval of the
< application with conditions. At the
May 27 public hearing, there was
; no opposition to the application.
; • Emory Lipscomb has applied
to rezone 27.73 acres on James
Burgess Road east of Settles Road
from agricultural to residential.
’ The plan is for a 37-lot subdivi
sion at the site. The Planning
Commission has recommended
approval with the condition that
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some several days old.
Lights also play an important role on the outside
of the van.
It is equipped with several flood lights and a gen
erator, giving detectives the detectives the opportu
nity to comb crime scenes regardless of the time of
day or the weather.
Even hard-to-find items shouldn’t escape notice.
The van is equipped with axes, chainsaws, shovels
and other items to get into wherever the important
proof might be.
And McDonald knows how to use all of it.
After graduating from Jacksonville State
University with a bachelor’s degree in forensic sci
ence, McDonald went to work with the Cobb
County Sheriff’s office.
She spent four years handling al! their evidence
before coming to Forsyth County.
Her training includes specializations in crime
scene photography, dusting for fingerprints and
sketching crime scenes.
Unfortunately, she has had to put those skills to
use often and at all times of day.
She was recently called out to a 4 a.m. burglary
scene to gather evidence.
McDonald said burglaries are taking up most of
her time, but she and the van will respond to any
type of crime where evidence has to be located
including homicides, rapes and bank robberies.
sidewalks be included. At the May
27 public hearing, there was no
public opposition.
• Wayne F. Orr has applied to
rezone 14.6 acres on the west side
of Stoney Point Road north of
Shiloh Road East for construction
of an office building. The area had
been zoned for agricultural use.
The Planning Commission has
recommended approval with the
conditions that there be a densely
planted buffer along the property
on the north and northeast proper
ty lines. At the May 27 hearing,
there was no public opposition.
• Jane L. Splawn has applied to
rezone less than an acre on the
south side of Dunroven Way near
Cantrell Road from residential to
agricultural. Splawn said at the
May 27 hearing that she wants the
land to remain in its natural state.
Commission Chairman Bill
Jenkins noted, “I like to see this
kind of application,” referring to
the fact that so many of the rezon
ing requests in Forsyth County
these days want just the opposite.
The Planning Commission has
recommended approval and there
was no public opposition.
• Paul J. McGruder and Phill
Bettis have applied to rezone less
than an acre to pave way for an
office development at the intersec
tion of Bannister and Namon
Wallace roads. The Planning
Commission has recommended
approval with the condition that
the space can only be used for an
office and for antiques.
• Scott M. Bremus and Phill
Bettis have applied to rezone an
acre from agricultural to commer
cial at the intersection of
McGinnis Ferry and Christopher
Robin (oads. The Planning
Commission has recommended
approval of the application, but to
change the use to office or institu
tional.
• Mock/Gattis/Litchfield has
applied to rezone 30.16 acres on
Hubert Martin Road northeast of
Meadow Creek Drive from agri
cultural for a subdivision.
The Planning Commission has
recommended approval of the
plan.
Photoflom Brooks
Crime Scene Technician Katrina McDonald works in the new mobile crime scene van designed to
speed up the investigation process. McDonald says that burglaries are taking up most of her time
these days, but the van is ready to handle virtually any type of criminal investigation.
5 9fannah ?
Johnson
Congratulations for graduating from North Forsyth High School! We look at
you and see your kind and strong spirit! We are also proud of your walk
with the Lord and how you honor HIM!
Many daughters have done virtuously, but Thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is
vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
Proverbs 31: 29-30
We Love You!
Dad, Mom, David, Daniel, Michael, Grandmother and Papa Johnson,
and Grandma and Grandpa Cunningham
» “Our light will LEAD you HOME”
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ns
★ Guilty Police
July 21st
Referendum
HOWDOWESELECTACOUNTYPOLICECHIEF?
★ Create a law enforcement system that
will select the best person available to be
I the top law enforcement officer.
A nationwide search for the most
rA experienced and qualified law
enforcement person.
a
Search committee, made up of business
and community leaders to find the best
person available and make the final
recommendation to the county. |
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FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS - SuiKtey, Juiw 7, IMS -
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