INVESTIGATION SERVICES
DIVISION

CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS DIVISION (CID)

Many of the detectives possess expertise in various fields of work, and are such assigned cases according to each one’s expertise. Burglaries, robberies, larcenies, motor vehicle thefts, missing/neglected juveniles, etc. are assigned to a detective based on the geographic area of the county that the crime occurred. We have detectives that specialize in Financial Crimes as well as others who focus on child exploitation. The Davidson County Sheriff's Office is also part of the Invictus Task Force to form a powerhouse of knowledge and experience to combat child exploitation, Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM), and Internet Crimes Against Children as a whole.

All of the detectives in the Criminal Investigative Unit work closely with our District Attorney’s Office and victims throughout the judicial process.

DIGITAL FORENSIC LAB

Digital Forensics is a specialized field within forensic science that focuses on identifying, collecting, examining, and analyzing electronic data for use in legal investigations. It involves extracting evidence from digital devices like computers, mobile phones, and networks to help solve crimes. The Digital Forensic Lab utilizes cutting edge technology paired with extensively trained examiners. The tools and skills the lab offers is so highly sought after for the value it adds to investigations that over a dozen outside agencies seek assistance from the Davidson County Sheriff's Office to facilitate those needs.

CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATIONS (CSI)

Crime scene analysis and investigations have become especially technical and scientific in nature. The Davidson County Sheriff's Office has three extensively trained technicians that provide specialized skills to assist the patrol and criminal investigation divisions.

Skills and training utilized in this division are: specialized photography and videography, fingerprint research and identification, technical assistance, evidence seizure and storage, serial number restoration, firearm reconstruction, blood pattern analysis, vehicle processing, and many more.

Properly collecting and storing evidence is a crucial aspect of this division. See below for more information on return of any seized property and/or evidence.

DAVIDSON ANTI-DRUG REGIONAL TASK FORCE (DART)

The Davidson Anti-Drug Regional Task Force (DART) is a multi-agency law enforcement partnership dedicated to combating illegal drug activity throughout Davidson County.

DART is a cooperative effort involving the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office, Lexington Police Department, Thomasville Police Department, and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. Through this partnership, participating agencies combine personnel, resources, intelligence, and investigative capabilities to identify, investigate, and apprehend individuals and organizations involved in the illegal manufacture, possession, sale, and distribution of controlled substances.

By working together across jurisdictional boundaries, DART allows participating agencies to coordinate investigations, share information, and more effectively address drug-related criminal activity that impacts communities throughout Davidson County.

REPORT DRUG ACTIVITY

SEX OFFENDER REGISTRY

Each sex offender has the responsibility of registering at the Sheriff's Office of the county in which they live. They each are also responsible for checking in with the Sheriff's Office on a routine basis. The Sex Offender Registry Unit handles each of those visits and also facilitates appropriate charges if a sex offender fails to register or does not follow the statutory requirements of their registration.

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DRONE TEAM

The Davidson County Sheriff's Office Drone Team utilizes cutting edge technology to assist in time-sensitive situations such as an Endangered Missing Person, but also provides tactical support and officer safety on volatile scenes. All pilots have gone through extensive training and are licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

CRIME PREVENTION

The Mission of the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office Crime Prevention Unit is to build a partnership between the Sheriff’s Office and the Community, to empower Citizens through crime prevention education, and to promote an environment in which people act individually and collectively to prevent crime and make our community safer for the next generation.

This is a proactive program that provides the public with information that helps identify and minimize the risks of becoming a crime victim. These programs teach citizens how to enhance security and safety for themselves and their neighbors.

The Crime Prevention Unit also offers classes on church and business security. In addition to organizing community watch programs where communities work as a team to observe activity in their neighborhood. The Crime Prevention Unit has programs for children and adults.

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EVIDENCE ROOM

A well-managed evidence room is crucial for law enforcement because it ensures the integrity and proper handling of evidence, which is essential for criminal investigations and court proceedings. Securing evidence prevents its contamination, loss, or tampering, maintaining the chain of custody, and upholding the legal process.

Our Evidence Room Manager has completed the Property and Evidence Room Management course through the North Carolina Justice Academy and continues to ensure that the agency is held to the highest standard of proper evidence collection and storage.

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS ON RETURNING PROPERTY

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CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO ABOUT THE INVICTUS TASK FORCE

CAPTAIN
CHRIS POOLE

Captain Chris Poole brings more than 36 years of law enforcement experience to the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office, where he serves as Commander of the Investigation Services Division. The Investigation Services Division oversees several specialized units, including the Criminal Investigation Division, Vice/Narcotics Division, Crime Scene Investigation, Digital Forensic Lab, Evidence/Property Room, Drone Response Team, Sex Offender Registry Unit, and Crime Prevention.

Before joining the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office, Captain Poole retired from the North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement (ALE) Division on November 1, 2024, as Special Agent in Charge of the Gaming Section. During his career with ALE, he received numerous honors in recognition of his service, including the Distinguished Service Award three times and the Meritorious Service Award once. The Distinguished Service Award is the highest award presented to an employee of the North Carolina Department of Public Safety. He also received the Order of the Long Leaf Pine from Governor Roy Cooper and the Department of Public Safety Secretary’s Gold Circle Award six times.

Throughout his career with ALE, Captain Poole developed extensive expertise in unlawful gambling, illegal gaming operations, and money laundering investigations. He served as a task force officer with U.S. Homeland Security Investigations and represented North Carolina in the National Gambling Intelligence Sharing Group. As a subject matter expert, he was previously accepted in North Carolina Superior Court as an expert in law enforcement involving gaming machines and knowledge of gaming machines.

During his tenure with ALE, Captain Poole participated in the seizure of more than 6,000 unlawful gaming machines and over $40 million in illegal proceeds. His expertise and experience also led him to share his knowledge with law enforcement professionals throughout the state and nation. As a general instructor, he has presented training to the North Carolina Conference of District Attorneys, North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association, North Carolina Association of Chiefs of Police, National Liquor Law Enforcement Association, and the North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement Division Advanced Special Agent Academy.

Before joining ALE in 1999, Captain Poole served with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, where he held the rank of lieutenant and supervised the Criminal Investigation Division and Evidence.

Captain Poole holds a degree in Criminal Justice and is a graduate of the Management Development Program at the North Carolina Justice Academy and the West Point Leadership Program at Methodist University. He also holds an Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate from the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission.

In addition to his law enforcement career, Captain Poole served six years in the United States Air Force Reserve.