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TO: Mayor John Laesch
FROM: Commander Bill Rowley
DATE: 08/15/2025
SUBJECT:
Resolution to authorize the Mayor or his designee to execute the contracts for Julie Smith and Gina Minetti as certified fingerprint analysts for the Aurora Police Department.
PURPOSE:
To request authorization from the Aurora City Council to re-hire certified fingerprint analysts Julie Smith and Gina Minetti for the purpose of conducting fingerprint analysis and identification as part of the Department's continuing program to maintain a complete in-house fingerprint capability for the Aurora Police Department
BACKGROUND:
Historically, for all crimes occurring in Aurora (DuPage County excluded), the Aurora Police Department had submitted fingerprint evidence to the Illinois State Police's Joliet Crime Lab (JCL) for analysis and identification. Due to overstretched resources and heavy caseloads at the JCL, it took several months for the crime lab to process and return fingerprint evidence from crime scenes submitted for Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) comparison.
While awaiting the return of AFIS submissions from the lab, there were instances where individuals in Aurora experienced further criminal activity. During this time, some offenders remained unidentified, allowing them to continue their activities. The delay in processing fingerprint evidence that could connect them to past crimes had both financial and emotional impacts on the community, affecting the overall well-being of Aurora's citizens.
Fingerprint evidence remains a highly reliable form of evidence, and it can lead to charges being authorized based solely on this type of evidence. To enhance public safety and address crime efficiently, the Department has developed a comprehensive in-house fingerprint capability. This includes lifting fingerprints, processing them through AFIS, making identifications, and providing court testimony. Our ability to quickly identify individuals has cont...
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