Southeast Regional Forensic Training Center shares equipment and training statewide
July 28, 2008
Citizens of the state of Mississippi can rest assured that they are going to be safer in the upcoming months as Mississippi State University’s Southeast Regional Forensics Training Center (SRFTC) equips five new, in-state locations with digital forensic capabilities.
Through a grant from the Department of Justice, the SRFTC is distributing equipment for four mini-labs and one larger forensic lab. The mini-lab equipment package includes a several thousand dollar forensic computer, a hand-held imaging device and a comprehensive software package to assist departments with their cases. The larger lab package includes multiples of everything provided to the mini-lab with the addition of other forensic supplies.
At the request of the SRFTC, the state’s sheriffs and police departments developed proposals outlining how they felt the new equipment would benefit their offices. Proposals were then evaluated on three key criteria, the first of which was a history of dealing with forensic cases. The second consideration was if the department had sufficient, forensically trained personnel who could use the new equipment. Lastly, when allocating equipment for these labs, decision makers had to consider the office’s location within the state.
“Strategically, our goal is to spread them across the state. Our four larger labs are located in Jackson, Starkville, Southaven, and now, Biloxi,” said Dave Dampier, an associate professor in computer science and engineering and director of the SRFTC. “With the addition of these new labs, we will have a total of nine mini-labs spread across the state between the four larger labs.”
This year, the equipment for the four mini-labs is being distributed to departments in Oxford, Columbus, Bay St. Louis, and Adams County. The larger lab package is to be given to Biloxi. Dampier noted that the Adams County’s proposal helped secure the equipment by illustrating that department’s desire to work with surrounding agencies should it be selected. Although it was not one of the main criteria in the decision process, cooperation between sponsored labs and other local agencies is something the SRFTC hopes to encourage.
“Our center is making an impact here in the state. In addition to our efforts this year, we are also moving towards a national center,” Dampier said. “We have already started building a foundation for a national forensic training center.”
The SRFTC has partnered with University of Texas at Tyler, California Polytechnic State University, St. Cloud State University in Minnesota, and Champlain College in Vermont. Currently, representatives from MSU’s center are visiting these other colleges, providing them with training on the initial forensic courses and giving them the tools they need to begin building their own regional centers.
The Center for Computer Security Research (CCSR) was established at MSU in 2001 as a focal point for the information assurance efforts at the university. Through the SRFTC, the CCSR provides vital training for local and state law enforcement officials by addressing ways to thwart cyber crime attempts.
The SRFTC was founded as part of a Department of Justice grant to MSU in support of the center’s overall Cyber Crime Initiative. The SRFTC also includes the Cyber Crime Fusion Center in Jackson, which works with the state attorney general, the Secret Service and the FBI.
For more information regarding the SRFTC please contact David Dampier.