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NATCHEZ — With help from community donations, the Adams County Sheriff’s Office is entering the modern era of investigations with new advances in digital forensic technology.

The new forensic unit utilizes “state-of-the-art technology and forensic science” to expand the department’s capabilities in cybercrime investigations, criminal intelligence analysis, bloodstain pattern analysis and crime scene reconstruction, Sheriff Travis Patten announced.

Patten said he was able to acquire industry-leading software without asking the county for any budget increase with the community’s support. One fundraiser, “31 guns in 31 days,” is raffling off 31 different guns courtesy of Sports Center in Natchez over the course of a month beginning May 1.

“The community has been a tremendous support,” Patten said Monday. “All of this came out of our raffle.”

Patten said ACSO has acquired industry leading tools such as: Cellebrite, which provides advanced capabilities for extracting and analyzing data from mobile devices, enabling investigators to uncover critical evidence in digital investigations; GrayKey, specializing in unlocking and extracting data from Apple iOS devices; and Oxygen Forensics, offering comprehensive mobile and cloud data extraction and analysis tools providing detailed insights into digital evidence.

Patten said ACSO is in the process of adding Veritone, a platform that integrates AI to facilitate the analysis of audio, video, and text data, enabling investigators to process and interpret large volumes of multimedia evidence efficiently.

For an example provided to the Board of Supervisors on Monday, Patten said AI technology can cut back the time it takes to locate suspects on the front-end of investigations by searching for key information in several hours worth of footage.

“Everybody has different cameras, different software and different versions of (the footage),” he said. “We literally look through hours and hours of footage. One of the components of this new forensic unit we’ll be putting in has AI in it that we can tell it we’re looking for a red Toyota … and it’ll go through that video and find the things that fit that characteristic for us that puts us in the right area of the video. That is just one of the areas that AI is helping investigations big time now.”

One of the key benefits of the technology, Patten said, is faster resolutions to cases, which enhances public safety.

“These acquisitions represent a significant investment in our ability to conduct thorough and efficient investigations,” Patten said. “With these tools, we can extract and analyze data more effectively, leading to faster resolutions and enhanced public safety.”

In addition to digital analysis tools, the Forensic Unit has deployed a state-of-the-art drone capable of operating inside buildings.

This technology supports both tactical operations and crime scene documentation, allowing deputies to safely clear structures, collect interior surveillance footage, and gather critical visual evidence without risking personnel.

Patten said previous drones used would lose signal as soon as they entered a structure with the operator outside, which meant that manpower would have to enter in potentially dangerous situations blind.

The Forensic Unit collaborates closely with the Criminal Investigations Division (C.I.D.) and Narcotics Division, and partners with regional and federal agencies, including the FBI, U.S. Secret Service, ATF, Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, and surrounding law enforcement jurisdictions.

“This initiative underscores our commitment to leveraging technology and collaboration to enhance public safety,” Patten added. “By integrating these advanced tools and fostering strong partnerships, we are better equipped to serve and protect our community.”