Fact Sheet

Investigative Services

Investigations

The Agents, Crime Scene Responders, and  Analysts of the CBI Investigations Section provide a full range of criminal investigative assistance to local law enforcement. The types of crimes investigated often include: homicide, officer-involved use of force incident, sexual assault, cyber crime, human trafficking, cold cases, public corruption and others. The State’s Sex Offender Registry is also managed out of Investigations. 

High Tech Crimes 

The CBI offers investigative assistance in connection with cases involving identity theft/fraud and cyber crimes. CBI agents provide expertise in these complex and far-reaching investigations upon request.

Special Investigations Illicit Marijuana 

The CBI Special Investigations Illicit  Marijuana Team was created to offer investigative assistance to Colorado law enforcement agencies impacted by the pervasive effects of illegal marijuana grows and other illegal drugs in communities across the state. CBI agents and analysts are available to support law enforcement, especially in rural communities, throughout the the state.

Forensic Services

Forensic Science Laboratories

International Laboratory Accreditation, coupled with outstanding scientific training and proficiency testing regimens, ensures quality systems and integrity of forensic examinations conducted on evidence in criminal cases. CBI scientists provide analysis in nine disciplines: biology sciences, digital and multimedia evidence, DNA databases, drug chemistry, firearms and toolmarks, footwear and tire, latent prints, toxicology and trace chemistry.

Support Services

Crime Information Management Unit

The CBI is designated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division, as the CJIS Systems Agency for Colorado. The CBI Crime Information Management Unit (CIMU) oversees criminal justice information systems, including the Colorado Crime Information Center (CCIC) and the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) databases and the International Public Safety and Justice Network (Nlets). As part of the Uniform Crime Reporting program, CIMU provides statewide annual crime data through the Colorado Crime Stats system.

Biometric Identification & Records Unit

The Biometric Identification & Records Unit (BIRU) is the state repository for criminal history record information. Criminal history records are created when fingerprints are submitted to the CBI in conjunction with arrests anywhere in Colorado. Criminal history records are continually updated with the submission of new fingerprints associated with subsequent arrests, as well as disposition information provided by the courts or other criminal justice agencies. BIRU has additional responsibilities, including the sealing of criminal records based on court orders.

InstaCheck

The CBI’s InstaCheck Unit is responsible for conducting background checks for the transfer of firearms in the state. InstaCheck serves as the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) state point of contact for the process, and is only one of 13 states designated to serve in this capacity. In addition to the NICS checks for firearms purchases, InstaCheck also addresses appeals for firearms purchase denials as well as processing background checks on behalf of Colorado sheriffs for Concealed Handgun Permits.