Page 38 - 2018 WCSO ANNUAL REPORT HTML5 ONLY
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of the system. After presenting data,
                                                                              it was agreed a change could result
                                                                              in  an  increase  in hit  ratio.  A  proposed
                                                                              threshold level change was presented
                                                                              to the vendor, who then agreed to the
                                                                              recommendations.





                                                                              Once  the threshold was changed  to
                                                                              the suggested level, the test prints
                                                                              were searched again under the same
                                                                              conditions as the initial research study
                                                                              in  order to compare  resultant hit
                                                                              ratios produced by the system at both
                                                                              threshold levels. An increased hit ratio
                                                                              of 30% was obtained.


                                                                              An increased hit ratio allows FSU
                                                                              to identify more prints, essentially
                                                                              providing    more     information     to
                                                                              investigators and creates the potential            BAIT PACKAGE PROGRAM - DEPUTIES
                                                                              to close more cases.


                                                                              FACES OF WCSO - MEET NIKKI WAGAR                   HELP DELIVER STOLEN PACKAGES
      RESEARCH STUDY INCREASES ACCURACY                                       Nikki  Wagar joined the  WCSO as a

      Testing fingerprints from crime scenes is a common       Forensic Analyst in 2008. Her specialties for the past            The  2018  holiday  season  wrapped  up  with  the  fourth  this innovative program, package thefts could increase
                                                               twelve years are in latent print examination and crime
      practice for forensics. Each time a print is analyzed and   scene processing. She holds certification as both a            successful year of the WCSO Bait Package Program. This  up to 20% over the holidays.
      tested, it is compared to fingerprints in the criminal   Certified Latent Print Examiner and a Certified Crime             unique initiative, designed to deter thefts of mail and
      justice system. In 2018, Forensic Analyst Nikki Wagar    Scene Analyst through the International Association for           packages, yielded several arrests as well as the recovery  PCU  attributes  the  success  of  this  program  largely  to
      began a research study with the intent of establishing   Identification (IAI).                                             of stolen mail.                                          patrol deputies who support the mission in the field by
      a best practices guideline for the local biometric                                                                                                                                  their quick response to bait package activations. PCU
      database in order to maximize search efficiency and      When Nikki first graduated high school, she had the               On  Sunday, December 9, 2018 deputies responded to  has expanded to a year-round hybrid deployment model
      tailor the FSU approach based on the lab’s needs and     lofty dream of becoming an artist, with sculpture and             an alarm activation from a bait package at a residence  for similar programs, including bait cars, motorcycles,
      system configurations.                                                                                                     near Tualatin Valley Highway and 170th Avenue in Aloha.  power tools and bicycles. Deputies and detectives alike
                                                               photography as her focus. However, an introductory                They were able to track the stolen package using GPS  continually evaluate geographic locations for patterns
                                                               anthropology course soon introduced Nikki to the                  technology, leading them to a 29-year-old suspect from   and problem areas.
      To begin her research, Wagar chose 150 latent prints for   world of forensics, where she fell in love with the
      searching, each with variable levels of quality. She then   sculptural nature of the skeletal system and she never         Portland, who was also an Amazon delivery driver. He
      launched tests utilizing specific searching techniques,   looked back.                                                     admitted to stealing the bait package while delivering   SUPPORT FOR TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS
                                                                                                                                 another shipment to the same address.
      resulting in 1,200 total searches. Data was then                                                                                                                                    IN LAW ENFORCEMENT
      collected and analyzed to create an efficiency flowchart   Locally, Nikki is the 2nd Vice President of the Pacific         Deputies located a total of 18 Amazon packages inside    Programs like the  bait package program would not be
      guideline for streamlined searching.                                                                                                                                                possible without the support of the Washington County
                                                               Northwest  Division  of  the IAI  and a  member  of the           the suspect’s vehicle and  personally delivered the
                                                               Northwest Regional Response Team, which is a team of              remaining packages to avoid delays.  Detectives from     Sheriff’s Office Foundation. Their support of innovative
      The intended research study quickly morphed into         forensic professionals who are trained in mass fatality           the WCSO Property Crimes Unit (PCU) deployed numerous    solutions and projects work to improve neighborhoods
      a validation study of the database.  The research        incident response. She has a master’s degree in Forensic          bait packages throughout Washington County to prevent    and strengthen our community.
      indicated a potential improvement that could be made     Science and has worked extensively on grant proposals,            potential thieves and catch those who steal during the
      to the configuration of the system, specifically to the   policy and procedure development and accreditation               season of giving.                                        A special thank you to the Sheriff’s Office Foundation
      threshold level originally set by the vendor. Data from   efforts within her agency.                                                                                                for the purchase of the technology used in this program.
      the research study was then presented to the vendor                                                                        Detective Patrick Altiere, who has overseen the bait     Learn more: www.wcsofoundation.org
      to better understand the capabilities and limitations                                                                      package program since its inception, believes without
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