Crossposted from the King County Sheriff’s Office Employee Newsletter

By Chief Kelly Park, Criminal Investigations Division 

Recently, we recognized the vital contributions forensics make to law enforcement and the pursuit of justice, during National Forensic Science Week, Sept. 20 to 26.

The King County Regional AFIS team provides essential identification work throughout all levels of investigation. In 2025 alone, the AFIS staff:

• Searched the fingerprints of 51,000 people
• Responded to 1,300 crime scenes
• Processed 10,000 items of evidence
• Worked 3,400 criminal cases
• Recovered 1,700 DNA samples
• Helped identify 850 deceased or incapacitated individuals

This work spans 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week, and ensures timely and accurate identifications. This often means accountability for suspects and justice to victims, survivors, and their families.

Thank you to the forensic specialists of AFIS and the Sheriff’s Office for your tireless hard work, your dedication, and your commitment to the job. It cannot be stressed enough how critical you are to this agency. Your efforts directly exonerate the innocent and help prosecute the guilty.

You have my, and everyone else’s, deepest respect, appreciation, and admiration.