header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
February 24
1993 - Jury awards Newhall Land $2.3 million for "Valencia" trademark infringement by Palmer apartments at Valle del Oro, Newhall [story]
Palmer Guilty


Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Scientific Services Bureau, Forensic Identification Specialist Michelle Acevedo and her partners, routinely go above and beyond the call of duty. On one particular day, Michelle’s supervisor received a request from our Homicide Bureau to photograph human remains found 600 feet down a cliff off of Angeles Crest Highway.

This request could only be accomplished by rappelling down the side of the cliff with an array of gear and supplies.

Since she was trained to rappel by the Sheriff’s Department Montrose Search and Rescue Team (MSAR Team), she “jumped” at the chance to rappel 600-900 feet off the side of a cliff. The next morning, Michelle gathered her gear (camera, sketch pad, measuring tape, paper bags, etc.) and rappelled over 600 feet through difficult terrain with high temperatures. She said she really wasn’t scared because, “The team that trained us is awesome at what they do, and the training they give us is the best. Although it can be a little dangerous, they make you feel confident, and to [learn to] trust the harness that is securing you.”

So how did Michelle end up here? The initial call came to Crescenta Valley Station of a possible motorcyclist over the side of Angeles Crest Highway on August 4, 2017. The location was approximately 32 miles into the Angeles National Forest from La Canada Flintridge. Montrose Search and Rescue personnel were initially called to the scene to locate and rescue the motorcyclist, however, they discovered human remains instead. The on-scene Coroner Investigator requested photographs of the scene and the human remains.

When processing a crime scene, she has to document the scene thoroughly. This involves photographing, marking, re-photographing, measuring and then collecting the evidence. Michelle had to improvise a little since the mountain was steep, and she was working with several people on the same rope line (i.e. the coroner’s Special Operations Response Team and MSAR personnel). She basically had one chance to get it right, and wanted to be meticulous in her documentation. It took longer than expected, approximately eight hours.

At the end of the exhausting day, Michelle said this was her first rappelling incident, and she would do it all over again. She loves getting out of the office and going outdoors. It was physically challenging, but practice makes better. Without Forensic Identification Specialist like Michelle Acevedo, we would not be able to present evidence in court and put suspects away in prison.

Michelle Acevedo started her career with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department as a Custody Assistant at the Inmate Reception Center. Once she got her foot in the door, she finished college and got a degree. With her degree in hand, she applied to work in our crime lab and began her formal training in 2008. Michelle completed training at the crime lab in 2010. The training consisted of two and a half years in the area of latent print analysis and crime scene investigation. Since then, she has responded to dozens of major crimes scenes and completed hundreds of fingerprint comparisons.

The remains have since been identified by the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner’s Office and Department of Justice as that of Mr. Makoto Ofuji, a 57 year-old resident of Los Angeles. Based on the Homicide detective’s investigation, his death was the result of an unreported motorcycle accident on the Angeles Crest Highway sometime around July 4, 2017.

When I asked Michelle what was the most rewarding part of her job, she stated, “Knowing that I can help bring closure to a victim’s family is immeasurable. By doing my job properly, meticulously, and with great pride, I can assist in finding clues, be that in crime scenes or in fingerprint comparisons, that assist in the grand scheme of the case. I would highly recommend this job to anyone who has a love for forensics and who enjoys working hard! It is very challenging and rewarding, but unlike what you see on TV, it involves long hours and being on-call. It is still the greatest job in the world!”

Portrait of Michelle Acevedo

Thank you to Lieutenant Hiroshi Yokoyama for sharing Michelle’s awesome story.

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

0 Comments

You can be the first one to leave a comment.

Leave a Comment


LOS ANGELES COUNTY HEADLINES
Thursday, Feb 20, 2025
The Los Angeles county Board of Supervisors are seeking applicants for its newly formed Governance Reform Task Force.
Thursday, Feb 20, 2025
The County of Los Angeles Fire Department  and Women’s Fire League will host the ninth annual Women’s Fire Prep Academy, beginning on Saturday, Feb. 22.
Wednesday, Feb 19, 2025
 The County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation is recruiting lifeguards for the upcoming summer season.
Wednesday, Feb 19, 2025
Leaders from across L.A. County gathered at the El Rio Community School in Lincoln Heights on Tuesday night to kick off the 2025 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count.
Tuesday, Feb 18, 2025
From Malibu to the South Bay, winter storms have washed large amounts of timber, twisted metals and other debris, as well as charred silt and sediment, from recent wildfires onto Los Angeles County beaches.

Keep Up With Our Facebook
Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
The Master's University beach volleyball team picked up a pair of convincing wins Friday, Feb. 21 over No. 8 Southern Oregon and NCAA DII Cal State LA at the TMU Beach Volleyball Courts in Santa Clarita.
Two More Wins for TMU on the Beach
Behind a career night from two-time reigning GSAC Player of the Year Kaleb Lowery, The Master's University men's basketball team claimed the title for the conference regular season with a 75-66 win over Hope International Thursday night, Feb. 20 in The MacArthur Center.
The Master’s Win GSAC Regular Season Championship
On the night The Master's University women's basketball team honored their five graduating players, the team suffered its lowest offensive output of the season in a 60-48 loss to the Hope International Royals Thursday, Feb. 20 in The MacArthur Center. The game ended the regular season.
Lady Mustangs Fall to Royals on Senior Night
College of the Canyons softball moved its current win streak to three games after taking two from host Riverside City College during a Friday, Feb. 21 non-conference doubleheader.
Cougars’ Streak at Three After Taking Road Doubleheader
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency held the largest-ever family member update in its history on Saturday, Feb. 22 in Sacramento.
Department Tells Gold Star Families: We’ll Find Loved Ones, Bring Them Home
College of the Canyons concluded its season with a 74-72 conference win at Bakersfield College on Friday, Feb. 21, completing the season sweep over the Renegades and exiting the 2024-25 campaign in a victorious manner. 
Cougs Conclude Season 74-72 at Bakersfield College
College of the Canyons had to wait nearly a week for its rematch vs. Orange Coast College but eventually made the most of its opportunity with a 10-1 trouncing of the Pirates at Mike Gillespie Field on Friday, Feb. 21.
Canyons Posts 10-1 Win Over Orange Coast College
Connect with local business owners and industry leaders at 2025's third Business After Hours Mixer.
March 19: Chamber Hosts After Hours Mixer at Mercedes-Benz of Valencia
Did you know that Santa Clarita ranks among the Top 50 cities in the United States on the 2024 ParkScore Index? This recognition highlights our city’s commitment to providing exceptional parks and outdoor spaces for everyone in our community.
Ken Striplin | Step Into Nature
The city of Santa Clarita Film Office has released the list of six productions filming in the Santa Clarita Valley for the week of Monday, Feb. 24 to Sunday, March 2.
Feb. 24-March 2: Six Productions Filming in the SCV
1993 - Jury awards Newhall Land $2.3 million for "Valencia" trademark infringement by Palmer apartments at Valle del Oro, Newhall [story]
Palmer Guilty
1998 - Worst day of record-setting 1997-98 El Nino storm season [story]
El Nino
1983 - Armed robber taken out at Alpha Beta supermarket on Lyons [story]
Alpha Beta market
Rebuilding homes and communities lost to the recent Los Angeles County wildfires is a monumental challenge, one that requires collaboration, expertise and innovative solutions.
Kathryn Barger | Keeping Up With Kathryn
As a passionate advocate for community engagement and the power of storytelling, I am pleased to share this year’s "One Story One City" program with you. For those who may not know, "One Story One City" is a month-long celebration that revolves around a carefully chosen book.
Marsha McLean | Celebrate Community, Culture Through ‘One Story One City’
Join The Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce for the 16th Annual State of the County, featuring Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger. This exclusive event will provide key updates on critical issues impacting the Santa Clarita Valley and offer valuable insights into our community’s future.
July 2: SCV Chamber Announces 16th Annual State of the County
The Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation recently hosted the 2025 Canadian Energy Storage Roadshow, bringing together industry leaders, innovators and policymakers to discuss the future of energy solutions.
Canadian Trade Mission Visits Santa Clarita Valley
The Santa Clarita City Council will meet in a special, closed session and open session on Tuesday, Feb. 25 at City Hall to consider a number of issues including litigation, agreements and the Sand Canyon Trail.
Feb. 25: City Council to Review Agreements, Sand Canyon Trail
The William S. Hart Union High School District has announced the accomplishments of district junior high school students at the regional MATHCOUNTS competition held on Saturday, Feb. 8, at California State University, Northridge.
Hart District Mathletes Secure Honors at MATHCOUNTS Competition
The College of the Canyons Foundation will honor Marlee Lauffer with the 2025 Silver Spur Community Service Award in recognition of her longtime support of the college and philanthropic contributions to the Santa Clarita Valley.
Purchase Sponsorships, Tickets to 2025 Silver Spur Honoring Marlee Lauffer
Santa Clarita Valley residents are urged to sign a petition demanding the California State Parole Board keep convicted murderer Robert Alan Grigsby in prison.
Residents Urged to Sign Petition to Keep Convicted Murderer in Prison
1923 - Newhall Chamber of Commerce organized; Albert Swall elected president [story]
Albert Swall
College of the Canyons will be hosting Information Nights on Thursday, March 6 at its Canyon Country campus and on Thursday, April 3 on Zoom to better assist high school seniors who are interested in starting their college experience at COC.
COC Information Nights for Prospective Students Announced
Looking for a job? The city of Santa Clarita is hiring enthusiastic and dedicated individuals to join its team for the summer.
Apply Now for Summer Jobs at the City of Santa Clarita
SCVNews.com