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The Investigations Bureau consists of more than 160 sworn personnel with full police powers who provide investigative and logistical support to Assistant State’s Attorneys in their preparation and presentation of cases. Our investigators also complement and supplement local law enforcement efforts by providing them with investigative assistance, expertise and technical resources. Working with prosecutors in the Criminal Prosecutions and Special Prosecutions Bureau, our investigators also launch investigations of very specialized crimes that may not be handled by other law enforcement agencies, such as official misconduct, public integrity, election fraud, child support, and complex financial crimes.

The bureau is headed by veteran investigator Ralph DeWitt, who was promoted from deputy chief by State’s Attorney Alvarez.

The Bureau’s responsibilities are divided among the Trial Support Division, the Narcotics/Special-Municipal Investigations Division and the Staff Services Section. Units in the Trial Support Division include several prosecutorial support units at 26th Street, and all five suburban district courts. The investigators in these units are responsible for locating and serving process on victims and witnesses, locating and interviewing witnesses, collecting DNA standards for crime laboratory comparison, transporting evidence, providing protection and security for witnesses, providing transportation to court for victims and witnesses and conducting supplemental investigations as requested by prosecutors who are preparing cases for trial.

Through interacting with reluctant and uncooperative witnesses and providing them with assistance and security, experienced investigators give witnesses the confidence they need to testify in court. To guarantee their safety and presence in court, our investigators transported 3,354 victims, witnesses, and defendants to court last year.