The Underwater Investigation Team was organized to properly collect evidence, recover drowning victims, and to recover vehicles. Within Sullivan County are three large bodies of water and several rivers. In the past several years, we have seen a rise in criminal activity that requires the team to be utilized due to the criminals attempting to hide evidence in the bodies of water. With the rise in criminal activity, the team is utilized for the purpose of properly collecting, investigating, and packaging evidence for our Criminal Investigations Division so that the cases may be prosecuted successfully. As the only organized UIT in our county, we strive to keep up to date with case law, training techniques, and equipment. We train once a month. This year, the team received training in the use of Nitrox, a mixed air that enables us to reach deeper regions of the lakes. This training helps to keep the divers in a safer environment. We also purchased Dry Suits, allowing us to dive in cold and/or contaminated waters.

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Sullivan County Sheriff
P.O. Box 589
Blountville, TN 37617
(423) 279-7500