TOCCOA, Ga. — The Stephens County Sheriff’s Office has launched a new Crime Scene Investigations unit, giving the agency its own certified technicians to process evidence and assist detectives in criminal cases.
Sheriff Rusty Fulbright announced the creation of the unit after two employees recently completed the training and certification required through the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council.
Asia Shealer and Rebekah Smith began specialized instruction in December 2024 through the Public Safety Academy at Truett McConnell University. Their coursework included basic crime scene investigations, bloodstain pattern analysis, fingerprint science, friction ridge comparison, latent print development, crime scene photography and evidence presentation.
After completing their final course in May 2025, the two trainees completed a five-week, 40-hour internship with the Banks County Sheriff’s Office forensic unit. They later met the remaining POST requirements, including a year of experience, and received their crime scene technician certifications in early February.
The new unit will operate within the sheriff’s office Criminal Investigations Division. Crime scene technicians will assist investigators by processing scenes, collecting and preserving evidence and documenting crime scenes.
Fulbright said the addition allows the sheriff’s office to handle evidence processing locally while strengthening criminal cases.
“Public safety is our top priority, and that starts with the details,” Fulbright said in a statement. “Having two Georgia-certified crime scene technicians within the sheriff’s office ensures that every piece of evidence is processed with the highest level of precision and integrity right here at home. This addition means faster processing times and stronger prosecutions while helping create a stronger, safer Stephens.”
