The Homicide Unit specializes in the investigation of homicides; suspicious unattended deaths wherein the cause of death is not readily apparent; police-involved shootings; and certain other major crimes involving violence against persons. The unit collaborates with local police agencies, as well as state and federal law enforcement agencies to investigate crimes and bring charges against those responsible.

The duties performed by members of this unit include conducting exhaustive interviews of witnesses and suspects; locating, identifying and preserving evidence; reconstructing crimes based on eyewitness reports and forensic evidence which can help determine motive, method and intent; preparing and executing search warrants; apprehending perpetrators; and, ultimately, providing courtroom testimony.

As there is no statute of limitations on murder, the members of the Major Crimes Unit also regularly review and re-investigate previously unsolved cold case files.

The successful prosecution of criminal cases requires a thorough and professional police investigation which frequently integrates the skills of personnel trained in evidence detection, preservation, collection, and analysis.

 This process, very often, begins at the crime scene. The Crime Scene Unit was established for the purpose of providing specialized and technical services to the entire Middlesex County law enforcement community. While the majority of responses are to homicide and suspicious death scenes, the unit is regularly called upon to assist municipal law enforcement with the detection, preservation, collection, and analysis of evidence in a variety of criminal cases.

The MCPO entered into a partnership with the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Ballistic Laboratory. An MCPO Detective is assigned to the lab to perform as a firearms examiner as part of a shared services agreement to fund and utilize the Brass Tracker 3 component of the Integrated Ballistics Identification System (IBIS). IBIS facilitates information sharing through the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) as it relates to ballistics evidence.

The MCPO also enjoys a partnership with the Union County DNA Laboratory whereby an MCPO DNA Analyst is assigned to the lab. As a result of this endeavor, DNA evidence related to major crimes in Middlesex County is now being processed in a more timely fashion, increasing the likelihood of a successful resolution to investigations and subsequent prosecutions. 

The Crash Investigative Unit is responsible for the investigation and prosecution of cases involving motor vehicle crashes resulting in fatalities and/or serious bodily injuries wherein criminal culpability for the cause of the crash has been established.

This unit is staffed with detectives who are specially trained in the area of motor vehicle crash investigation and accident reconstruction. Their job includes the photo-documentation of the scene, collection of evidence, developing a detailed diagram of the event, detailed examination of the vehicles involved and interviewing all involved parties.

The Crash Investigative Unit also coordinates and conducts DUI checkpoints, in conjunction with local police agencies, within Middlesex County as part of its role in public safety.

The Special Operations Response Team is responsible for the safe and effective resolution of hostage situations, barricaded subjects, as well as the execution of high risk arrest and search warrants.

This team of highly trained personnel consists of law enforcement officers from the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, Middlesex County Sheriff’s Department, Middlesex County Adult Corrections and police agencies throughout the county.

The rigorous training program provides the members with many diversified skills including advanced firearms proficiency, hostage rescue techniques, ballistics, explosives, crisis negotiations, self-defense and less-lethal weapon deployment. SORT also receives specialized training for responding to Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive (CBRNE) incidents.

This Special Victims Unit is responsible for the effective investigation and successful prosecution of crimes committed against child victims of sexual and physical abuse as well as sexual crimes committed against adults.

These uniquely trained detectives conduct investigations in tandem with the municipal police departments, as well as the Department of Child Protection and Permanency (DCPP), which include forensic interviewing of young victims, interviewing of witnesses and suspects, and the collection of evidence relevant to the case.

In addition to the investigation, arrest, and prosecution of sex offenders, the unit also takes special measures to ensure that the unique needs of victims in these cases are met through the ongoing monitoring of the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT). The team is comprised of representatives from law enforcement, the DCPP, as well as the mental health and medical fields, and meets on a bi-monthly basis.

Victim Witness Advocacy Center

The Domestic Violence Unit is responsible for the prosecution of domestic violence cases in Criminal Court and violations of restraining orders in Family Court.

The unit also handles all weapons seized pursuant to domestic violence incidents. A significant portion of this unit’s efforts are spent dealing with concerns and questions of the victims. The unit also works closely with municipal police departments and is available to advise, assist, and train in all matters relating to domestic violence.

Victim Witness Advocacy Center

The Megan’s Law Unit is responsible for the monitoring and enforcement of “Megan’s Law” which was passed on October 31, 1994.

The law established a registration and notification procedure to alert law enforcement, schools, day care providers, organizations, and neighborhoods to the presence of convicted sex offenders. These individuals are required to register with the municipality in which they reside.

It is the responsibility of the Megan’s Law Unit to conduct an assessment, based upon a host of information gathered, including but not limited to, the criminal offense, prior offense history, incarceration, treatment, etc. Members of the unit classify the offenders into one of three tiers based upon the level of risk to the community. The various tiers determine the level of community notification. The unit coordinates and conducts all Tier 3 (high risk) community notifications assisted by a sonar mapping database which identifies areas to which public notifications could be made.

To visit the NJSP – NJ Sex Offender Internet Registry please click here or visit www.njsp.org.

Victim Witness Advocacy Center

The Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force Program is a federal initiative developed to help state and local law enforcement agencies develop an effective response to technology-facilitated child sexual exploitation and internet crimes against children.

This help encompasses forensic and investigative components, training and technical assistance, victim services, and community education. The Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office participates in the program by maintaining a team of detectives who investigate instances of those crimes in Middlesex County.   

The Elder Abuse & Exploitation Team is responsible for the investigation and prosecution of individuals responsible for the abuse and exploitation of vulnerable individuals 60 years of age and older.

The team consists of detectives from various units throughout the MCPO with experience in different aspects of abuse and exploitation.

In addition, the team coordinates the training and direction of the Middlesex County Elder Abuse & Exploitation Task Force, consisting of police officers from law enforcement agencies throughout the county in cooperation with NJ Adult Protective Services, NJ Office of the Ombudsman for Institutionalized Elderly, Middlesex County Office of Aging and Disabled Services, and the Office of Consumer Affairs.

Victim Witness Advocacy Center

The Trial Teams are responsible for providing investigative support to municipal cases that are indictable crimes (called felonies in other jurisdictions).

Detectives assigned to Trial Teams perform a wide array of duties to assist the prosecutors assigned to prosecute the cases.

Some of the duties of the detectives include conducting follow-up investigations, for example, locating witnesses and victims, taking sworn statements, preparing and conducting photo arrays, preparing written reports and signing complaints. In addition, detectives also obtain and process evidence, serve subpoenas, and other tasks that may be required for the successful prosecution of cases.

The Appellate/Post Conviction Relief Section handles appeals which fall into four broad categories:

• appeals from indictable convictions, which we receive from the Attorney General as part of a referral program
• appeals from non-indictable convictions
• appeals from adjudications of delinquency
• interlocutory appeals, including emergency applications

In addition, the Appellate/Post Conviction Relief Section answers applications for post-conviction relief in state courts, for writs of habeas corpus in Federal Court and answers motions on request. The section also monitors appeals to the Superior Court from the various municipal courts.

The Appellate Section is available to conduct research projects for other members of the staff and frequently provides pre- or mid- or post-trial legal advice for members of the trial teams. Finally, the section administers the summer legal intern program.

The New Jersey Superior Court Drug Court Program was designed to address drug and alcohol addicted citizens who commit crimes to feed their addictions.

The Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office assigns an assistant prosecutor to the Superior Court’s Drug Court to work in a collaborative effort with the court, defense lawyers, the probation department, substance abuse evaluators, and addiction treatment providers to address drug addicted defendants.

Defendants who are found legally and clinically eligible to participate in Drug Court are sentenced to an intensive probationary period, with mandatory addiction treatment programs. Working within the drug court team, the assistant prosecutor considers the needs of the drug addicted defendant, but balances those needs against the effects to crime victims, and any potential risk to the community. The assigned assistant prosecutor will advocate against program enrollment to any defendant who poses a significant risk of harm to the community. 

The Community Affairs/Bias Unit is responsible for proactively communicating with members of the various communities and organizations throughout the county regarding public safety matters.

The unit is responsible for identifying, documenting and investigating bias crime incidents and crimes.

A goal of the unit is to educate the public and eliminate crimes motivated by prejudice or bias against others based on race, color, religion, sexual orientation, disability, national origin, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression.

Community Initiatives

The Evidence Control Unit is responsible for the storage, tracking, release, and disposal of both evidence and other items related to criminal investigations and prosecutions.

The unit manages over fifty thousand evidentiary items in secure storage. 

Click here to request return of your property. 

The Child Abduction Response (CART)/Missing Persons Team is responsible for coordinating and directing the appropriate law enforcement response for finding missing endangered persons and abducted children.

“Endangered” is defined as a person who is believed to have a mental, intellectual, or developmental disability and/or a health related issue that goes missing under circumstances that indicate that the person may be in danger of death or serious bodily injury.

The CART/Missing Persons Team collaborates with state, county, and local law enforcement agencies and the media to safely return the missing. The team, in collaboration with the Middlesex County Office of Emergency Management (OEM), also coordinates the response of a volunteer tracking dog handler and his highly trained bloodhounds.

Technical Operations Unit Detectives are responsible for assisting investigative and prosecutorial units within the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office and municipal law enforcement agencies with a variety of technical functions that assist in the discovery, access and presentation of digital evidence related to criminal cases.

The unit participates in the FBI task force at the New Jersey Regional Computer Forensics Lab (RCFL).

The Fugitive Unit locates and apprehends fugitives who attempt to evade the criminal justice system and fail to appear for Superior Court proceedings in Middlesex County.

The unit participates in the US Marshal’s Regional Fugitive Task Force. Unit detectives work closely with local, state, and federal law enforcement authorities to locate fugitives throughout the world. A priority is placed on those fugitives who commit violent crimes, have lengthy criminal histories or fail to appear in Superior Court for sentencing.

The Special Investigations Unit investigates a myriad of economic crimes, or what has historically been referred to as “white-collar” crimes, such as fraud, embezzlement, forgery and money laundering; as well as public corruption, which may include embezzlement of public funds, official misconduct, bribery, etc.

The detectives in this unit routinely work hand-in-hand with state and federal agencies such as the NJ Division of Criminal Justice, FBI, US Postal Inspectors, IRS, and Homeland Security.

The team investigates incidents of suspected arson fires wherein there is a loss of life or significant property damage.

The Arson Response Team is a multidisciplinary team consisting of Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office Detectives and members of the Office of the Middlesex County Fire Marshal. The members of the team are highly trained in how to determine the origin and cause of a fire. Sometimes the cause is obvious, however more often the investigation requires the painstaking and dangerous process of excavating a collapsed residence or commercial building.

The Arson Response Team works closely with municipal fire officials, municipal police departments, New Jersey State Police, FBI, and The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). 

The Insurance Fraud Unit is responsible for detecting, reducing and deterring insurance fraud through aggressive investigation and prosecution.

The unit works cooperatively with municipal and state law enforcement agencies, insurance companies and their investigation staff.

The types of insurance fraud in the county are very diverse, and occur in all areas of insurance. Insurance crimes also range in severity, from slightly exaggerated claims to criminals deliberately causing accidents or damage. Fraudulent activities affect the lives of innocent citizens, both directly through accidental or purposeful injury or damage, and indirectly as these crimes cause insurance premiums to rise. 

The Polygraph Team is staffed by detectives who have undergone rigorous and lengthy training to become certified polygraph examiners.

The use of the polygraph, or what is commonly referred to as a “lie-detector”, is a valuable investigative tool utilized in all sorts of criminal investigations. The polygraph operates by measuring changes in various physiological responses to a series of questions and answers. The examiner must interpret those measurable changes as indications of deception. 

One of the most critical elements in law enforcement is an officer’s ability to use his/her weapon safely and effectively. The Range Safety Team consists of detectives and agents from various units within the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office whose primary function is to train and qualify Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office Detectives in the safe handling and operation of their duty weapons. In addition, the Range Safety Team instructors also offer a number of firearms classes designed to enhance firearms proficiency and tactics to local, county, state and federal agencies.

In addition to live fire classes, the team also offers realistic firearms training on a firearms training simulator. The simulator is designed to train officers in the use of deadly force and the decision-making process that those situations demand. The system places officers in numerous realistic scenarios in which he/she must interact and communicate with characters in real life situations; attempt to diffuse critical incidents and bring them to peaceful resolution; exercise sound tactics; and use designated weapons that record the officers accuracy. 

The Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office provides command and coordination of the Middlesex County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) Police Bureau. Police Bureau detectives are responsible for managing and coordinating the county-wide public safety response to any significant emergency, natural disaster, major storm, or other critical incident. During such events, the Police Bureau activates and acts as the hub for coordinating law enforcement resources, personnel, equipment, and services throughout the county as needed.

In addition, the Middlesex County Police Auxiliary Academy falls under the direct responsibility of the Police Bureau. All staffing, curriculum, rules and regulations for the 14 week course (140 hours) are coordinated and approved by the bureau chief under the direction of the Middlesex County Coordinator of Emergency Management. Select members of the bureau are also appointed to serve on the Middlesex County Police Auxiliary Advisory Committee which is charged with making recommendations for near and long range planning for the training and utilization of police auxiliary members in Middlesex County. 

One of the developments that arose out of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, was the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI), in which Middlesex County participates. Under this initiative came the formation of the Rapid Deployment Team (RDT), consisting of Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office detectives and law enforcement officers from the Middlesex County Sheriff’s Department and Adult Corrections. This team is part of the UASI Rapid Deployment Force which is focused on a seven-county area including Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Passaic and Union counties. The purpose of the RDT is to provide law enforcement support to local law enforcement commanders during a critical incident with a highly trained, flexible, rapid deployment team oriented in an incident command and unified command structure.