The RCMP’s forensic unit is expanding its operation in Maple Ridge. The detachment will soon be the regional hub for forensics in the Fraser Valley and house a team of seven officers who are experts in fingerprinting, video and DNA analysis.
The unit will be located on the second floor of the detachment’s main building in space of 1,075 square metres.
“The expansion of the local office is a reflection of the extraordinary cooperation and relationship that the RCMP has in this community,” said Insp. Gary Leydier, who heads the Integrated Forensic Identification Services.
“Our intention is to expand our operations within the Ridge Meadows RCMP detachment building to allow for greater support for investigations in the Fraser Valley and see the local detachment benefit with the placement of highly trained investigative staff within the detachment working from this community.”
A staff sergeant will be the first officer to move Maple Ridge to facilitate the creation of the forensic hub.
RCMP also plan to base a video technician in Maple Ridge to process video from crime scenes. With specialized forensic experts based in Maple Ridge, Ridge Meadows Mounties will have the opportunity to interact with them and learn from them.
“We’ll be able to lean on them in a more frequent way to make sure our crime scenes are processed in a more effective way than they are now,” said Ridge Meadows RCMP Insp. Dave Fluegel.
Maple Ridge mayor Ernie Daykin said forensics the team will be doing important work to catch criminals.
“In the real world, as on the many popular TV shows, a fingerprint or DNA trace can be the piece of evidence that helps identify the victim of an accident or identifies a criminal and leads to a conviction,” he said. “I know that the experts that will work from our community will have an impact on the great work of our detachment.”