Computer forensic training

[Cerberus]

Hi all,

My organization is revamping our computer forensic training curriculum to include a series of "First Responder" courses, so I have a couple of questions for you:

1st, how often do you roll up on a scene and find that you have to seize a computer, and what is the comfort level of the average officer to do that?

2nd, when you send a computer to your forensic lab for analysis, what is the average backlog and turnaround time?

Please email if you'd prefer: cerberus@xtram.com. Thanks in advance!


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ASLET 14873
We few, we happy few...

[Sparky]

One: most officers that I know rarely encounter this. It is mostly seen in child sex cases and some narcotics stuff. Most of these investigators have had some good training on it, so most of the investigators are fairly comfortable. Standard practice is to consult with some one about the special warrants needed before hand if possible, or at the scene when needed.

Two: Most of what I have seen gets sent to the FBI. Their turnaround time is usually a little slow, but they bump it up when you get a court date and will beat the bushes to get it done by then. I say this with the clarification that I have never actually seen this evidence go to trial. In the cases that I have personnaly worked with, the defendant took a plea before we needed it for court. They know what's on that computer...they assume that we will find it if it's been sent to the feebs.

In my area, we really don't run into it much. Only a few times that weren't all that productive.

Hope this helped!

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-Sparky