![[logo] US EPA](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090508181355im_/http://www.epa.gov/epafiles/images/logo_epaseal.gif){kind=logo}
Electronic Crimes Team
Criminal Investigations
The EPA Criminal Enforcement Program maintains an Electronic Crimes Team (ECT) which provides on-site support to EPA Special Agents in the execution of search warrants involving computer or other electronic evidence, the subsequent analysis of the seized computer/electronic evidence, and Internet investigative support.
The team is staffed with Senior Special Agents from EPA's Criminal Investigation Division (EPA-CID). Team members are highly trained and experienced in the investigation of computer crimes and computer evidence recovery. Two Staff Attorneys serve as legal advisors to the Team. The ECT has strategically placed one team member in each of EPA's ten regions, EPA's National Computer Center at Research Triangle Park, NC, and at the EPA-CID Homeland Security office in Washington, DC.
The Team supports EPA-CID Special Agents and Federal, State, Local, Tribal and International environmental law enforcement partners in:
- Providing on-site computer forensics support during consent searches and search warrants involving computer or other electronically stored evidence.
- Conducting the subsequent detailed analysis of seized computer and electronic evidence
- Preparing detailed reports of analysis results for Criminal Investigators
- Preparing court exhibits and providing expert testimony
- Providing investigative support regarding the Internet, e-mail tracing, locating and documenting web sites, searching the Internet for investigative leads and conducting proactive initiatives
- Providing legal advice to Criminal Investigators and Prosecutors regarding computer search and seizure issues, including search warrant preparation assistance, stipulations, subpoenas and court orders
- Provide high quality training to EPA Special Agents and environmental investigations partners in the seizure of computer evidence, Internet investigative issues and the complex legal issues of computer search and seizure and the Internet