The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) is a statewide criminal investigative bureau headquartered in Saint Paul that provides expert forensic science and criminal investigation services. The BCA assists local Minnesota law enforcement agencies with complex investigations using the latest technology and techniques, and BCA personnel help secure arrests for violence-related and drug-trafficking crimes, among others.[2] Notably, the BCA investigates killings by police and similar incidents.[3]
The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) was created by the Minnesota Legislature in 1927 in order to assist police departments statewide to solve crimes and apprehend criminals, under the direction of the Minnesota Attorney General's office. The BCA gathers crime statistics to assist state and local agencies to identify criminal trends. In 1935, agents received full police power and were licensed police officers throughout the state. In 1947, the BCA Crime Lab was established in St. Paul to assist in solving of crimes via forensic science, and was one of the first DNA laboratories in the United States in 1990.[6] Later the BCA was the first law enforcement agency in the United States to identify a suspect solely on DNA. In 1969, the agency was moved under direction of the State Attorney General's Office to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. In 2001, the BCA opened an additional forensic laboratory in Bemidji. Additionally, the BCA's Special Investigations Unit would collaborate with federal agencies to aid in multi-jurisdictional criminal investigations.[2] In 2004, the Bureau became one of four laboratories in the United States selected by the Federal Bureau of Investigation to serve as a regional mitochondrial DNA laboratory.
Divisions
Forensic Science Services
The BCA Forensic Science Services (FSS) provides forensic science expertise to law enforcement agencies statewide and to the FBI. This includes crime scene processing, digital and multimedia evidence collection, DNA collection and processing, forensic firearm examination, fingerprint identification, Toxicology, Trace evidence, breath alcohol instrument calibration, and chemical testing.[7]
Investigative Division
The Investigative Division provides criminal investigative assistance to law enforcement agencies statewide. BCA agents and analysts are positioned in two regional offices in St. Paul and Bemidji, along with 11 field offices located in Alexandria, Brainerd, Duluth, Grand Rapids, Mankato, Marshall, Moorhead, Rochester, Roseau, St. Cloud and Willmar. Services include crime scene investigations, cold case assistance, human trafficking investigations, predatory offender investigations, use-of-force and conflict investigations,[8] and special operations.
Minnesota Justice Information Services (MNJIS)
The Minnesota Justice Information Services (MNJIS), manages information between sources of criminal justice data for law enforcement agencies and criminal investigation agencies to help solve crimes via statistics and analysis.[9]
Professional Services
Professional Services provides training to law enforcement and investigation agencies to assist in crime scene investigation and investigation of crimes. In addition, assists in missing persons and the State's Amber alert system.[10]
^ ab"About - Leadership Team". Minn. Dep't of Public Safety: Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. Archived from the original on September 23, 2023. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
^ abcPanlener, Robin (ed.). "Bureau of Criminal Apprehension"(PDF). Minnesota Guidebook to State Agency Services. 2004–2007. Saint Paul, Minnesota: State of Minnesota, Department of Administration, Communications Media Division, Minnesota’s Bookstore: 253–254. ISSN1061-0987. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
