The Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) was created in 1921 to provide investigative support and expertise to law enforcement agencies across the state. The division is comprised of four functional areas:

The Records and Identification Unit is the central repository for all Iowa criminal history records. This information is used in a variety of critical areas, including sentencing determinations, parole or probation recommendations, issuance of weapon permits, and decisions by prosecutors. In 1996, Iowa criminal history information became available to the public for a nominal fee.

As of June 30, 2003, the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) included over 467,352 ten print cards and nearly 19,826 latent prints. AFIS is available to all criminal justice agencies throughout Iowa for use in criminal investigations. During Fiscal Year 2003, 20,826 ten print "hits", and 351 latent print "hits" were made via AFIS.

A ten print card is a card usually 8" X 8" which has a permanent set of an individual's fingerprints on it. There are 10 individual blocks, one for each of the fingers and they are numbered 1 through 10, starting with the right thumb and concluding with the left little finger. These are the "rolled impressions" and each finger must be rolled from one side of the fingernail to the other side of the fingernail. Below the 10 blocks there are blocks for printing each hand with two blocks in the middle for printing the thumbs. These are called "plain impressions" and are used to make sure that the sequence of the fingers were printed correctly in the rolled impressions. Above the fingerprint blocks are spaces for the descriptive data of the individual, such as name, sex, race, height, weight, date of birth, place of

The DCI Criminalistics Laboratory has a staff of 49, and is comprised of a laboratory administrator, criminalist supervisors, criminalists, evidence technicians, a photographer and a clerk specialist, who provide forensic scientific services to the criminal justice community. The criminalists specialize in a wide range of forensic areas handling and examining evidence obtained from crime scenes by authorized law enforcement agencies.

A crime scene team comprised of two criminalists are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, responding to requests for assistance from law enforcement agencies statewide. The criminalists handle all aspects of crime scene processing, from the initial collection of evidence at the scene to testimony in court.

The Criminalistics Laboratory sections consist of:

Throughout the year the laboratory continued DNA analysis on both active casework as well as the convicted offender specimen database. The laboratory completed analysis of 622 DNA related cases. The Convicted Offender database currently consists of 3,541 profiles which are available for searching on a national basis since participation in CODIS (COmbined DNA Index System) was finalized.

The DNA Section examines biological materials such as blood, semen and saliva. DNA profiles of these biological stains are developed using Short Tandem Repeat (STR) technology. The profiles are compared to the DNA profiles from standard samples from individuals who may have contributed the biological stains. Generally, biological stains are shown to be unique to one individual. DNA profiles may be entered into either the Forensic Casework database or the Convicted Offender database. The Forensic Casework database contains DNA profiles from crime scene evidence. The Convicted Offender database contains DNA profiles of individuals convicted of sex offenses and/or other violent crimes. These two databases make up the state component of the COmbined DNA Index System. CODIS enables federal, state, and local crime laboratories to exchange and compare DNA profiles electronically, thereby linking crimes to each other and to convicted offenders.

Routine searches of casework-related profiles against both convicted offenders and forensic unknown databases at state and national levels has been instituted.

The Field Operations area of the DCI includes the General Criminal Unit,the Gaming Unit, and the Special Operations Unit, consisting of the Missing Persons Information Clearinghouse and the Sex Offender Registry.

The 36 special agents assigned to the General Criminal area provide investigative expertise to local, county, and state agencies requesting assistance in major criminal cases. They provide expertise in the areas of crime scene searches, collection and preservation of evidence, investigations, and with suspect and witness interviews. The DCI works with all state, federal, county and city law enforcement agencies in the state to resolve crimes. Agents of the General Criminal Unit provide these services from 14 field offices situated within four geographical zones in the state.

Two agents in the DCI are specifically trained to provide polygraph services for the Department, as well as the entire Iowa law enforcement community.

Chapter 692A of the Iowa Code established the Iowa Sex Offender Registry in July of 1995. The Iowa Sex Offender Registry, maintained by the DCI, lists the name and current address of offenders convicted or adjudicated of a criminal offense against a minor, sexual exploitation, or a sexually violent crime. Additionally those offenders on probation, parole, work release status, or incarcerated on or after July 1, 1995 are included in the registry. Registration does include individuals who have received a deferred sentence or deferred judgment and can include convictions from other jurisdictions, such as other states and/or federal convictions. The Sex Offender Registry is updated continuously, based on information provided by state and local government agencies and the registrants themselves. As of July 1, 2003, 5,391 individuals were listed on the Iowa Sex Offender Registry.

The Gaming Unit within the DCI is in charge of both criminal investigations and regulatory enforcement of the laws and rules dealing with gambling in Iowa. With 40 Gaming Enforcement Officers (GEO's) and 27 Special Agents, this unit provides enforcement and investigative services for the Iowa Lottery, 10 riverboats, and three racetracks in Iowa.