Joseph M. Cristinziani

With over three decades dedicated to law enforcement, Joseph M. Cristinziani has established himself as a seasoned investigator and leader in the field. Beginning his career with the United States Navy, he transitioned into law enforcement as a police officer with the San Diego Police Department in 1979, where he quickly rose through the ranks to Detective. Throughout his distinguished career, Cristinziani worked across various specialized units, including the Street Gang, Child Abuse, Sex Crimes, and Homicide Units. Notably, he spent 15 years with the Homicide Unit, investigating over 330 cases involving homicide, officer-involved shootings, and death investigations, and documenting more than 100 crime scenes. His expertise extends beyond fieldwork; since joining the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office as a Senior Investigator in 2008, Cristinziani has made a significant impact on vertical prosecution units, particularly in vehicular homicide and felony DUI protocols, setting standards and shaping investigative frameworks. His career-long commitment to advanced training, covering over 700 hours in areas such as crime scene dynamics, interrogation, and specialized traffic collision analysis, underscores his dedication to excellence and continuous professional growth.