Forensic Specialist Fired After Admitting To Falsifying Documents

PINELLAS COUNTY, FL — A Pinellas County sheriff's forensic science specialist has been fired after an investigation found she falsified forensic documents and jeopardized the prosecution of a case.

Sheriff Bob Gualtieri announced that Shantele Dixon, 35, was fired Monday after the sheriff's administrative investigation division released a report saying she knowingly falsified documents for an investigation she took part in.

Dixon had been a forensic science specialist with the department since Oct. 19, 2011.

According to investigators, in November, Dixon was assigned to process two separate cases.

In one case, she was told to obtain evidence from the property and evidence division, maintain an accurate chain of custody, process the evidence and document her actions in logs, notebooks and the sheriff's report-writing system.

On Nov. 29, Dixon obtained two pieces of evidence and gave them to another specialist to process, but failed to transfer the custody to the other specialist.

The other specialist processed one item using the cyanoacrylate (superglue) fuming chamber and M-star, a luminescence dye stain chemical.

The second item was processed using the cyanoacrylate fuming chamber and black magnetic powder.

Both items, along with the processing request and notes on the processing methods used, were placed in Dixon's secure locker at the forensic science division by the other specialist.

On Dec. 2, Dixon reviewed the items and processing notes. Investigators said Dixon then reprocessed one item using black magnetic power, which resulted in no visible (fingerprint) ridge and reprocessed the second item using M-star, which resulted in a visible ridge.

Dixon then falsely documented in her notebook that she used M-star and an alternative light source on the item that was processed using only black magnetic powder. Dixon also did not note that the other specialist completed part of the processing listed in her notebook.

In the agency's report-writing system, investigators said Dixon intentionally falsified the narratives, stating that she used the cyanoacrylate fuming chamber on Nov. 29 when, in fact, the other specialist conducted this step in the processing.

Dixon also intentionally falsified the report by omitting that one item was processed with M-star and the other item was processed with black magnetic powder on the same date and that another item was processed with M-star and an alternative light source.

Dixon admitted to omitting and falsifying her actions and the actions of the other specialist in her official supplement reports and notebook. She also admitted that she did not maintain the chain of custody, which is a violation of both agency policy and procedure and accreditation standards.

She acknowledged, as well, that her reports could have a negative impact on the prosecution of criminal charges and conceded that she was "cutting corners."