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Kentucky now has a new forensics lab equipped to zero in on digital clues
Source: WDRB web site
Fingerprints, fibers, and weapons. Those used to be the key pieces of evidence needed to solve crimes. But these days a computer or cell phone may contain crutial evidence. Kentucky now has a new forensics lab equipped to zero in on digital clues.
The RCFL, Regional Computer Forensics Labratory, is located on U of L's Shelby Campus.
U of L obtained a three million dollar federal grant for the facility and federal, state and local police departments have joined forces to run it."So, they'll go to rack "A", Shelf 3. Pick up that computer, discettes, compact disc," said Agent James Harris, Lab Director.
Someday soon, these racks at the Computer Forensics Lab will be full of computers and other devices police have seized during criminal investigations.
After an exact copy of hard drives or other information storage units is made technicians will carefully go through the information looking for clues.
"To successfully fight 21st century crime, law enforcement must be as technically savy as our adversaries are," said Kerry Haynes, with the FBI Technology Branch.
The computer lab will also train new technicians and help investigators keep up with latest technology as they try to recover digital information.
Digital information can now be hidden in a variety of James Bond-like devices ranging from ink pens to I-pods to Swiss Army knives.
"This will really speed up a lot of of computer forensic cases and put out a better product, I believe, for the prosecutors," said Louisville Police Detective, Kevin Lamkin.
Detective Lamkin is one of the technicians who will work here. He says the high tech facility will help Louisville and Lexington police do a better job. But the biggest benefit will be to smaller departments who now have somewhere to turn for help when they seize digital evidence.
"What we've done is, in one location, created a place that can serve the entire state of Kentucky," said Tracy Reinhold, with the Louisville FBI.
Regional Computer Forensic Labs have helped Detectives and prosecutors in many high profile national cases.
The list includes the ENRON investigation, arrest of the BTK killer in Kansas and a number of public corruption trials.
[Original Article on the WDRB web site ]