For Immediate Release
March 16, 2005
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Washington D.C.
FBI National Press Office
(202) 324-3691
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FBI
PROGRAM NAMED IN "TOP 50" OF THE 2005 INNOVATIONS IN AMERICAN
GOVERNMENT AWARDS COMPETITION
WASHINGTON, D.C.- The
FBI's Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory (RCFL) initiative was chosen
as one of the "Top 50" programs in the 2005 Innovations in American
Government Awards competition. Over 1,000 government organizations submitted
applications to the annual competition-now in its 18th year.
According to Harvard University,
the 50 semi-finalists "represent the best and brightest in government." Four
criteria were used to evaluate each application: novelty, effectiveness in
addressing important problems, significance, and the potential for replication
by other government entities.
The RCFL Program is a
national network of one-stop, full-service digital evidence laboratories.
The FBI provides start-up and operational funding, training, personnel and
equipment, while local area law enforcement agencies assign personnel to
work as Examiners. During Fiscal Year 2004, the program supplied full service
digital forensics support to over 1,000 law enforcement agencies in nearly
a half dozen states; accepted 1,548 requests for service; conducted 1,304
forensics examinations, and trained 2,040 law enforcement personnel in various
digital forensics techniques. Currently, there are seven RCFLs in operation,
with another six laboratories opening in 2005.
FBI Director Robert S.
Mueller III said, "It is an honor to have the FBI recognized in this
prestigious competition. We are grateful for the opportunity to showcase
the importance of strengthening law enforcement's digital forensics capacity.
By combining partnerships and technology, the RCFL Program is blazing a bold,
new path for all of law enforcement."
Most recently, RCFL personnel
have collaborated with an array of law enforcement officials from all levels
of government to provide digital forensics support for several major, high-profile
investigations, including the murder of a 23-year old pregnant woman in Wichita,
Kansas, the murders of U.S. District Judge Joan Lefkow's mother and husband
in Chicago, and; the "BTK" serial murder case.
The award is a program
of the Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation at Harvard
University's John F. Kennedy School of Government, and is administered in
partnership with the Council for Excellence in Government.
Out of the 50 semi-finalists,
eighteen will be named finalists in mid-April. To learn more about the RCFL
Program, visit www.rcfl.gov.
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