The Support Bureau is comprised of the Evidence Section, Forensics Unit, Fleet Maintenance Unit, and the Property/Facilities Unit.

Evidence Section

The Evidence Section receives, stores, and disposes of all evidence that is submitted by the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office. Members of the Evidence Section are responsible for maintaining the chain of custody and disposing of evidence and property based on statutory limitations or court order. They notify property owners when items are released and ready to be claimed.

How to Arrange for the Return of Your Property

If your property was collected and has not been submitted as evidence, call our office to set up an appointment to obtain your property. A valid picture identification, such as a driver’s license or ID card, that shows a current address and your date of birth, will need to be presented at the time you retrieve your property.

If your property has been submitted as evidence, it can only be released with permission from the deputy, detective or state attorney handling the case. Once the authorization for release has been obtained, you may call the Evidence Section to set up an appointment. You will need a picture ID, as indicated above, to retrieve your property, a case number would be helpful.

If you are unable to claim your property yourself, you may authorize a family member/friend to pick it up for you. They must present an official notarized letter from you, giving them permission to do so. They must also present a valid picture identification, such as a driver’s license or ID card that shows a current address and date of birth when they come to claim your property.

Release of Firearms

There are certain requirements for releasing firearms back to the public; FDLE Background and ATF checks will be conducted. If you have been convicted of a felony or a domestic violence crime, or the judge has ordered you not to possess a firearm, your firearm will NOT be released back to you.

Location

The Evidence Section is located in the Administrative Building inside the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office at 2621 Southeast Hawthorne Road. (follow the signs past the flag pole).

Alachua Count Sheriff’s Office

2621 Southeast Hawthorne Rd.

Gainesville, FL

Mailing address:

Alachua County Sheriff’s Office

P.O. Box 5489

Gainesville, FL 32627

Phone: (352) 367-4075 or 4076

Our lobby is open Monday – Friday, 08:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., and closed on all county holidays and weekends. Reminder: please contact us to confirm the items are eligible and ready for pick up.

Forensics Unit

The Forensics Unit conducts crime scene investigations, and provides photographic services, fingerprint identification and evidence collection. The unit typically processes major crime scenes such as homicides, sexual batteries, and other violent crimes. They also provide forensics support to the High Springs and Alachua Police Departments.

Forensics Unit

The unit also includes two digital forensics examiners, tasked with various forms of data extraction from cell phones, computers, tablets, vehicle systems, etc. – finding the “digital fingerprints” of today’s criminals.

Additionally, the Forensics Unit is responsible for maintaining the fingerprint records of all persons arrested in Alachua County. Latent Print Examiners process all requests for fingerprint comparisons, from not only our agency, but from the surrounding area agencies as well.  Law enforcement agencies may request a copy of a fingerprint/palm print card free of charge. Fingerprint/palm print cards can be mailed or e-mailed.

Fingerprint requests should be emailed to asoforensics@acso.us and should contain the following information:

  • Your name and title
  • Your agency name and mailing address
  • Your contact phone number
  • Subject’s name, race, sex, and date of birth
  • Indicate if palm prints are needed

Fleet Maintenance Unit

The Fleet Maintenance Unit is responsible for acquiring, maintaining, and disposing of all agency vehicles, and their duties include the aftermarket installation of all necessary emergency equipment. The unit maintains over 500 cars, trucks, motorcycles, and specialized vehicles. The bulk of the Fleet Maintenance Unit’s budget is devoted to the purchasing and outfitting of vehicles, fuel costs, and the repair of assigned agency vehicles.

The Fleet Maintenance Unit is also responsible for inspecting citizen’s vehicles that have received a safety equipment violation ticket. The vehicle with the deficiency corrected can be brought to the Fleet section at 2621 SE Hawthorne Road, Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (excluding holidays). The vehicle must be presented within 30 days of the date the ticket was written. The 30 days includes weekends and holidays. A $4.00 cash fine (paid at the Records Bureau window in the main building lobby) is due at time of inspection and the balance of the fine is paid at the Courthouse. The Sheriff’s Office cannot give an extension on the ticket, nor can they inspect the vehicle after the 30 days have expired. The Sheriff’s Office will inspect safety violation tickets written by other Florida law enforcement agencies.

Property/Facilities Unit

The Property/Facilities Unit is the central receiving and distribution point for all supplies, deliveries, and package pickups for the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office. The unit serves the agency with two stores for distribution of supplies: one at the Main Administration Building and one at the Department of the Jail, and also serves as the liaison with County Facilities for any building maintenance needs.

The unit’s primary responsibilities are:

  • Outfitting all newly hired deputies. It also issues replacement items and keeps track of all of the specialized equipment that is issued to ASO’s Special Teams (SWAT, Bomb, MO/URT, etc.).
  • Creating and maintaining ASO inventories. When an item (Fixed Asset) is received, it is assigned a property number, and entered into the agency’s financial management program. The item is then delivered to the receiving unit and inventoried on an annual basis.
  • Inspecting weapons housed in the armory for operational readiness.
  • Controlling all building keys.
  • Acquiring, maintaining, and distributing office supplies and general stock for all of the agency’s buildings.
  • Overseeing the general maintenance and upkeep of the Administration Complex, to include the Fleet and Combined Communication Center buildings.
  • Coordinate with the County and vendors for any large projects related to the Sheriff’s Office building(s).