JACKSON COUNTY, Ore. – A new partnership will give the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) a high-tech boost to its criminal investigations. JCSO Detective Gabe Burchfiel will soon join the Southern Oregon High Tech Crimes Task Force (SOHTCTF).
On Tuesday, October 16, 2018, Detective Burchfiel was sworn in as an FBI agent. The dual designation allows Detective Burchfiel to investigate local crimes that may include activity outside Oregon, such those that involve children lured by internet predators.
Detective Burchfiel has completed extensive training to obtain certification to conduct forensic examinations of electronic devices – an increasingly common component of criminal cases. By embedding a detective in the SOHTCTF, JCSO will have better access to high-tech evidence services, reducing the need to contract with outside labs.
The SOHTCTF is housed at the Medford Police Department and is made up of investigators from local and federal agencies. The bulk of the cases investigated involve child sexual abuse and exploitation; however, the task force assists with other types of cases including homicides, sexual assaults, and drug trafficking.
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