The American public was just introduced to an elite, real-life, law enforcement unit. Last Friday, Special Agents from the California Department of Justice served search warrants in residences, doctors’ offices, and billing firms in two Southern California counties. The investigation was in connection with the death of pop icon Anna Nicole Smith.

“In an overall spirit of cooperation, law enforcement agencies from two nations, an Indian tribe, federal, state, and local governments have asked special agents from our Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement to pick up the ball and run with it,” said Jim Vitko, president of the Association of Special Agents for the California Department of Justice. “The reason for this is our agents’ expertise in computer forensics, in addition to all the other crime-fighting talents they possess.”

In a press release issued by Attorney General Jerry Brown’s office on Oct. 12, DOJ agents “have reviewed over 100,000 computer images and files, analyzed patient profiles and pharmacy logs and interviewed witnesses” nationwide and abroad.

According to TMZ.com, a web site specializing in celebrity news, “California Attorney General Jerry Brown says that he requested the search warrants executed earlier today in connection with the death of Anna Nicole Smith because, he believes, ‘a serious crime has been committed.’ ”

Other law enforcement agencies working with California DOJ include the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Royal Bahamian Police Force, the Seminole Tribal Police, the California Medical Board, and he California Department of Insurance.

The full DMZ.com story and the full DOJ press release can be read by clicking on the links below.