Projects
Cyber-Crime Initiatives
Digital Evidence Assessment (RULETC)
Digital evidence includes text, images, audio, and video that may be found in a variety of media including, but not limited to, computers and digital cameras. Although digital evidence has become more commonplace, anecdotal information suggests that use of this technology in investigative efforts has been limited. The limited use of this technology further indicates that law enforcement has minimal knowledge of evidentiary, legal, and technical issues related to digital evidence.
To help add to the body of knowledge in this area, the JSC is currently conducting a survey examining digital photography. Building on the findings from this survey, the JSC will work with the Scientific Working Group on Digital Evidence and the National Center for Forensic Science to develop and administer a survey for public sector law enforcement that will describe practitioners’ knowledge and use of digital evidence.
Additionally, the JSC will evaluate a digital evidence software encryption prototype which has been developed in collaboration with the Computer Science Department at Eastern Kentucky University (EKU). This prototype is intended to be used for the secure storage and retrieval of digital images. The software will be tested using focus groups of end-users. Following the evaluation, the prototype will be further developed or modified based on feedback.
For more information on this project, please contact Dr. Kay
Scarborough at 859-622-1464 or at
KScarbocop@aol.com.
Computer Crime Response and Prevention Teams (RULETC)
In response to the need for coordinated efforts in dealing with computer crime in small agencies, a selected number of police departments will be observed in order to understand and describe how these agencies respond individually to computer crime. Based on what was learned through these observations, the development of a model which establishes collaborative efforts among law enforcement agencies (local, state, and federal) and cooperative opportunities with private sector organizations will be undertaken.
Following completion of the model for Computer Crime Response and Prevention Teams for Small and Rural Law Enforcement, the JSC will implement it in different types of organizations, such as sheriffs departments, small city departments, tribal police departments, rural police departments, and other geographically representative departments. The JSC will work with the Regional Computer Forensics Laboratories (RCFL) to identify appropriate test sites that are in areas not currently served by RCFL. An evaluation of the models will be conducted to assess applicability or necessity for further development.
For more information on this project, please contact Dr. Kay
Scarborough at 859-622-1464 or at
KScarbocop@aol.com
