RCFL: Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory

FBI center in Centerville examines computers, other electronics

By Lou Grieco

Staff Writer

Thursday, January 29, 2009 DAYTON — When the FBI started investigating computer crimes, the focus was mainly on child pornography. Now, agents find that computers are used in all sorts of crimes, from terrorism and identity theft to fraud and murder. "Crimes are committed with the click of a mouse," said Keith Bennett, special agent in charge of the Cincinnati Field Office. "Now we have crimes crossing continents. You could have a criminal in Europe committing a crime in southern Ohio." The bureau has 14 regional computer forensics laboratories across the country, including one in the FBI's new offices on Clyo Road in Centerville. It is a partnership with the Miami Valley Regional Crime Laboratory. Analysts will examine any piece of computer equipment, including cellular phones, for any area law enforcement agency for no fee. "I say I'm a kid in the candy store here," said MVRCL Forensic Examiner Skip Burnham, who is assigned to the computer lab. "I can get so lost in what I'm doing, you lose total track of time." The FBI transfers the contents of seized hard drives to new drives, so that the original evidence is preserved. The new drives can be plugged into the computers that forensic examiners use. Burnham said he receives FBI training every year to keep up with new advances. As computer technology evolves, so do criminal uses. One of the newest innovations is the wireless external hard drive. Traditional external hard drives are connected to the computer through wires, and are easily found. Now, investigators are finding that criminals keep their computers clean and put the bad stuff on a wireless drive far from view in another part of the house. "Those things can be hidden anywhere," Burnham said. Sometimes, forensic investigators search cellular phones for photographs in homicide cases. They also search personal digital assistants and video cameras. Examiners can retrieve deleted, encrypted or damaged file information. As computerized gadgets and equipment continue to proliferate, the need for the lab will continue to grow, said lab Director David Barnes. Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2057 or lgrieco@DaytonDailyNews.com. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Auto forwarded by a Rule Kim, Our opening made the papers, here’s the link to add to the website when you get a chance. http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2009/01/29/ddn012909fbiweb.html Thanks, Dave [Original Article on the Dayton Daily News web site ]

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