Now here is the kind of story that makes me feel good. The Charleston (SC) Police Department’s forensics lab has received international accreditation. Now, great job, and also a wonderful step forward. In the US only three states require that labs gain accreditation and South Carolina is not one of them. I’m very pleased to see this department take the initiative and go beyond what is the bare minimum. I’m struck by one particular piece of the article (from The Post and Courier) and that is why are only three states requiring this? Digital evidence can make or break a lot of criminal cases. If labs are not set up properly they can be called into question for their handling of the evidence. I’m often confused as to why this type of evidence is given any less due than say blood evidence.
“Digital data is so fragile,” said Sgt. Jerry Roberts, the director of the Charleston Police Department Digital Evidence Laboratory, during a recent tour. “The movement of a mouse changes tens of thousands of files.”
To properly handle digital evidence, officers need hundreds, if not thousands, of hours of training.
The delicacy and volume of the work is why the four-person lab recently sought the top stamp of approval from the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors.
Great job gents. I’m particularly pleased as Charleston is one of my favourite US cities. Hopefully this will become a growing trend and we will not have to see police forces resorting to charity in order to purchase the tools they need to their job.
[tags]Charleston Police Department, Digital Forensics, Computer Forensics, Data Security, Evidence[/tags]
