HomeMy WebLinkAbout20200923 (KPD celebrates Forensic Science Week by honoring criminologists)
THE COUNTY OF KAUA‘I
DEREK S. K. KAWAKAMI, MAYOR
MICHAEL A. DAHILIG, MANAGING DIRECTOR
News Release
For Immediate Release: September 23, 2020
KAUA‘I POLICE DEPARTMENT
TODD G. RAYBUCK, CHIEF
Tel (808) 241-1600
Fax (808) 241-1604
KPD celebrates Forensic Science Week by honoring criminologists
LĪHU‘E – Kaua‘i police recognized Forensic Science Week by holding a small ceremony
on Wednesday for the Kauaʽi Police Department’s criminologists who are instrumental in solving
the island’s crimes.
KPD’s crime scene group includes Stephanie Regan, Michaelyn Etrata, Alicia Quintana
and Christian Vlautin, who were each given an honorary certificate presented by Chief of Police
Todd G. Raybuck. Collectively, they were also given a proclamation from the Kauaʽi County
Council presented by Chief Raybuck and another from the County of Kauaʽi, which was
presented by Mayor Derek S. K. Kawakami.
“Our criminalists are some of our many unsung heroes at KPD,” said Investigative
Services Bureau Captain Paul Applegate. “They are responsible for helping solve our complex
crimes. They are often among the first individuals to arrive on scene and the last to leave. They
are also known to put in additional time after hours and on weekends in order to bring justice to
a case as quickly as possible.”
Forensic science is important to the investigation of crimes and identifies the guilty while
exonerating the innocent. The individuals in KPD’s Crime Scene and Laboratory Section identify
evidence from crime scenes that can provide critical information toward solving cases like
burglaries and homicides.
The quality of forensic analysis has taken enormous strides in recent years due to the
hard work of practitioners, local and federal legislation, as well as the dedication of national
committees, some of which KPD’s forensic scientists participate in.
“We recognize the significant importance of forensic science on the criminal justice
system and we acknowledge the increasing demands that are placed on our team in order to
keep up with the high quality of analysis we encounter today,” said Applegate. “We extend an
overwhelming amount of gratitude to them for all of the work they do not only for our department
but for our island.”
National Forensic Science Week 2020 takes place from Sept. 20 to Sept. 26 in honor of
the scientific and technical professionals who serve the nation’s communities in such a vital role.
KPD’s Crime Scene and Laboratory Section. From left to right: Michaelyn Etrata,
Stephanie Regan, Christian Vlautin and Alicia Quintana.
A ceremony on Wednesday honored KPD's criminologists for National Forensic Science
Week.
###