Yes. Observational ride-outs are available with Property Crime Technicians (only) and are approved by the shift supervisor after a perfunctory background check is performed. A strict dress code is enforced. Acceptance into the volunteer and internship programs is granted only through Bureau Management approval and only after specific requirements are met. Please see all forms and information regarding these programs at the Internships, Volunteers, Ride Outs.
We do compare the prints of victims of certain violent offenses, and in certain other circumstances where it would make sense to do so. In most cases, however, we do not have the resources to do so simply for elimination purposes, especially in crimes against property. Our main goal is to identify latent prints with potential suspects to link them to the crime being investigated, or to exclude possible suspects as the depositors of those latent prints.
Whether a detective is assigned to your case or whether you will be contacted is largely dependent on viable leads associated with the case. You will not be contacted by any civilian analyst. Additional information pertaining to your case may be given to 311 operators who will enter the information into the case record for any investigating detective to utilize.