Under a $955,000 pilot project to begin in January, 15 civilian investigators trained in simple crime scene procedures will augment the San Francisco Police Department’s crime scene unit, helping the city respond more swiftly to property and other non-violent crimes.

The civilian investigators will interview victims and witnesses, write reports, take crime scene photos, and collect fingerprint and DNA evidence.

The head of San Francisco's police union fears the new program presents "a huge chain-of-custody problem” and opens up the door to problems in court.

Solid training, thorough background checks and proper oversight are needed for the program to work, said Police Commissioner Jim Hammer, a former San Francisco prosecutor.

Source: San Francisco Chronicle