HUNTSVILLE — Evidence doesn’t speak for itself – skilled people and smart technology make it talk.
The Huntsville Police Department’s forensic journey has evolved from film rolls to mobile data extraction and digital intelligence tools.
The department’s new Crime Scene and Evidence Warehouse Complex isn’t just a building; it’s a milestone in how HPD collects, preserves and analyzes evidence to deliver justice with precision.
As Huntsville grows, so does the science behind solving crime – and HPD is committed to staying on the cutting edge.
Before forensics was “cool,” investigators were solving cases with cameras, tape measures and a lot of patience.
Former Crime Scene Investigator Lisa Hamilton joined HPD’s CSI Unit in 1989, coming straight from patrol.
Former Crime Scene Investigator Lisa Hamilton joined HPD’s CSI Unit in 1989, coming straight from patrol.
“We started with on-the-job training from seasoned investigators,” Hamilton said. “The Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences was a big help – they’d respond to scenes whenever asked.”
Back then, digital evidence didn’t exist. Investigators relied on photography, fingerprints, trace evidence and firearms analysis – core components that still matter today.
“New tools have come along, but the old ones still need to be applied,” Hamilton said. “We won cases long before cell phones and DNA. A fingerprint in the right place is very strong evidence.”
As HPD’s forensics unit grows, Hamilton hopes it never loses sight of those roots.
“I’m glad it’s getting the attention it deserves, but don’t forget the basics,” Hamilton said. “Old tools are just as necessary as new ones.”
Solving crimes one gigabyte at a time
Ahem, tech-nically speaking, HPD’s digital forensics efforts really took off in 2019 with the launch of the North Alabama Multi-Agency Crime Center. Investigator Byron Thompson, trained at the U.S. Secret Service Academy, helped lead the department into the digital era.
“The field has evolved dramatically since I started,” Thompson said. “It used to be all computer forensics. Now we need expertise in mobile devices, tablets, video players – even smartwatches.”
The workload has exploded. In 2020, 38 devices were processed. That number will exceed 550 by the end of 2025. Three full-time examiners now handle 8–15 devices a week, supporting HPD and partner agencies.
“Software and hardware improvements transformed what we can access and how fast,” Thompson said. “It helps us uncover the information investigators need.”
Still, some devices refuse to crack.
“Even with all this tech, some systems stay locked down,” Thompson said. “It keeps me asking: What haven’t I tried yet?”
Accuracy drives everything. Digital forensics is not a speed contest because every byte matters.
And next up: vehicles. As more drivers sync phones to dashboards, the unit expects a spike in automotive data requests.
“We’re already trained and certified in that, so we’re ready,” Thompson said.
Leading the next era of forensics
The future of forensic science isn’t slowing down, and neither is HPD. The department continues to invest in its people, technology and infrastructure to keep pace with the changing landscape of crime trends and investigative needs.
The new Crime Scene & Evidence Warehouse Complex is the cornerstone of that investment, giving investigators modern labs and secure storage and space to work smarter and more efficiently.
It’s also a promise to the people of Huntsville that every piece of evidence will be handled with care, every case pursued with integrity and every advancement used to strengthen trust and justice in our community.
Lynsey Smith is a Communication Specialist for the City of Huntsville.
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