Eugene Police Violent Crimes Unit detectives are continuing to investigate an adult male’s death after he was found injured, possibly from an assault, around 7:35 a.m. today. He was found in the W. 6th Alley and Lincoln area. The man has been identified as Dean Eric Sweeden, age 23.
The man was transported to a local hospital, but subsequently died. The EPD Violent Crimes Unit, Forensic Evidence Unit and Patrol are on scene. As it is early in the investigation, no other information is available.
Anyone who may have information related to this case is asked to call 682-5111.
EPD Violent Crimes Unit
The Violent Crimes Unit consists of nine detectives and a sergeant. The unit is responsible for investigating crimes against persons. Most VCU cases involve felony crimes, but some involve misdemeanor crimes of violence. Examples of cases assigned to Violent Crimes for investigation include: Death investigations, homicides, robberies, assaults, sexual assaults ,kidnapping, missing persons, domestic violence and other crimes. The VCU frequently works as a team to respond to and investigate major crimes such as homicides. The Violent Crimes Unit’s objectives are to ensure the successful criminal investigation and prosecution of violent crimes in Eugene, to protect those in society who are most vulnerable to abuse and exploitation (the elderly, women, and children), and to ensure those who perpetrate crimes against such individuals receive the maximum penalty allowed by Oregon law.
Forensic Evidence Unit
The Forensic Evidence Unit, which is the state of Oregon’s first local lab to receive American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors Accreditation (2013), serves the community’s criminal justice needs through education and the application of accepted scientific techniques to the preservation and analysis of physical evidence. Eugene Police Department’s Forensic Evidence Unit (FEU) employs four full-time civilian forensic analysts, one forensic technician, an administrative aide (shared with the Property Control Unit) and has multiple volunteers.
###