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The Niagara Regional Police Service Underwater Search and Recovery Unit provides the
public with a highly professional, trained and equipped service capable of extending
almost all aspects of forensic investigation and recovery underwater. They bring with them
a combined total of over 100 years of hands on police diving experience. All evidence
recovered by the USRU is subject to continuity procedures which ensures that the 'best
evidence rule' is adhered to in the event the case is brought before the courts. All
members are specially trained to investigate:
Water related sudden deaths Post mortem
physiology Skeletal remains recovery Air crash investigation Weapons recovery and
preservation, among others.
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Forensic recovery is a specialized and unique form of
occupational diving. The police diver acts as an underwater detective, using tactics,
procedures and forensic techniques in the pursuit of truth. The police diver is merely an
extension of the police function, underwater.
The ten man unit includes two underwater explosives disposal divers that support the
Niagara-Hamilton Wentworth Regional Police Explosives Disposal Alliance with the recovery
and render safe of underwater ordnance, commercial explosives, and improvised explosive
devices.
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To comply with the directive from the Chief Coroner of Ontario, the USRU has
assisted NRPS Criminal Investigation Branches and Niagara Parks Police with numerous SCUBA
and commercial diving fatalities within the region. In one case, the USRU was instrumental
in charging a Welland man with first-degree murder after he staged the death of his
14-year-old son as a diving accident. |
