Fauquier deputy completes CSI training

Fauquier Detective Michael Zeets joined a select group of local law enforcement officers when he graduated from the Virginia Forensic Science Academy.

The commencement ceremony for his class was held in Richmond Nov. 10.

Zeets, who has been with the Sheriff’s Office for 15 years and its Criminal Investigations Division for almost six, is now one of three area law enforcement officers with the prestigious certification.

Just being accepted for the intensive nine-week program was an honor, he said.

“I [submitted] my application about three years ago,” Zeets said. “Then there were cuts in the state funding, and the program was cut from three sessions per year to two.”

Only 12 law enforcement officers from the entire state are selected for each class.

Everyone learns the fundamentals of evidence collection and scene documentation as part of their basic training. The Forensic Science Academy enhances those skills through classroom and hands-on activities.

In the academy, students learn to “properly recognize, document, collect and preserve” evidence found at crime scenes for laboratory analysis. “The academy graduate becomes familiar with the capabilities and limitations of the modern forensic laboratory in examining the spectrum of materials which can collected as evidence in criminal cases,” said Fauquier Lt. James Hartman.

The additional training is essential in this day and age, Zeets said.

“Everyone is held to higher standards now,” he said. “Police are expected to know how to properly collect, handle and process evidence.”

Now that he’s finished the training, Zeets hopes that he and Detective Mark Jones can share their knowledge with their colleagues.

Ultimately, teaching other investigators and some road deputies the nuances of crime scene analysis and evidence collection will benefit the entire agency, he said.

“By doing that, a deputy could take care of the evidence collection and crime scene analysis during the tour instead of calling one of us out on overtime,” he said. “I [also] think you would see our case closures and arrests go up,” Zeets said.

Zeets said training at least one road deputy per shift as well as other investigators will enable Jones and him to concentrate on crime scene investigation.

As it is, he and Jones are still working general cases as well as those that require their more specialized skills.

“Detective Zeets has been and will continue to be a valuable asset to the Criminal Investigations Division with this specialized training,” Hartman said.

Sheriff Charlie Ray Fox Jr. also congratulated Zeets for his professionalism and dedication “during the long hours and many difficult challenges” of additional training.