NCJ Number
194847
Journal
Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 29 Issue: 4 Dated: April 2002 Pages: 34-37,38
Date Published
2002
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article describes collecting and handling electronic crime scene evidence.
Abstract
Law enforcement is being overwhelmed by the volume of investigations and prosecutions that involve electronic evidence. Police personnel must learn how to correctly handle and process such evidence. Pennsylvania’s Municipal Police Officer’s Education and Training Commission created a program to train instructors who in turn teach police officers as part of their annual mandatory continuing education. The program covers the laws of search and seizure as they pertain to high-tech crime scenes, and exceptions to search warrant requirements. The Federal Government has produced the first volume of a planned series of reference guides regarding the investigation of electronic crime. The manual contains terminology, component definitions, and best practices that first responders should know in order to identify, collect, and protect electronic or digital evidence. Topics being considered for future guides include examining digital evidence, investigating high technology crime, and the investigative uses of high technology.