San Andreas, CA…On November 5, 2025, the Calaveras Sheriff’s Office School Resource Deputy and Evidence Technician participated in the annual “Dinner with a Scientist” event held at Mark Twain Hall at the Calaveras County Fairgrounds. The event was hosted by the Calaveras County Office of Education.

Dinner with a Scientist gives 4th-12th grade students a unique opportunity to enjoy dinner and an evening with local STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) professionals in a casual learning environment. Scientists ranging from geologists to veterinarians, biologists, educators, engineers, and more volunteers spend an evening discussing their field of expertise.

The Deputy discussed the use of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) as a valuable tool in law enforcement operations. A UAS is essentially a small, remotely controlled aircraft. These aircraft can hover, move in any direction, and use high-quality cameras, thermal imaging, and zoom lenses to help deputies see areas that would otherwise be difficult or dangerous to reach. These operations include search and rescue missions, documenting crime scenes, and searching large areas for suspects concealed in remote or rural locations.

The Evidence Technician highlighted the continued significance of fingerprints in modern investigations. The discussion focused on techniques for locating and lifting fingerprints from various surfaces, as well as methods for preserving them to maintain their integrity for future comparison and presentation in court. Although considerable attention is often directed toward DNA analysis, fingerprints remain an essential component of law enforcement evidence collection and analysis.

We look forward to participating in next year’s event. Please let us know if you have any suggestions for topics to include in the 2026 event.