T E.2: Forensic Response
Increase the FBI’s forensic response capabilities. Other Information:
The proper collection, preservation, and forensic analysis of evidence from the scene of a terrorist attack or major crime
is critically important. There is only one opportunity to do it correctly; otherwise, critical links and evidence may be lost
forever. The global threat of terrorism and international crime requires a timely forensic response capability around the
world. The need for these services will increase over the next five years, and the FBI must be able to meet this demand. While
the most dramatic increase of services will be overseas, the FBI’s forensic expertise is often called upon to address major
crimes in the United States as well, including initial processing of crime scenes. Within the first six weeks after 9/11,
the FBI’s CART examined more than nine terabytes (nine million megabytes) of data. With the onset of world-wide access to
computers and increased knowledge within the general population, it is reasonable to expect a computer to be involved in some
fashion in virtually every investigation the FBI conducts. Furthermore, the FBI is Congressionally mandated to provide computer
forensic support, in addition to other forensic support, to state and local law enforcement agencies which it accomplishes
through its Regional Computer Forensic Laboratory (RCFL) Program. The RCFLs are partnerships among the FBI and other law enforcement
agencies within a geographic area, and the program has continued to grow since its inception with the number of labs expected
to exceed 10 by the end of 2004. As such, computer forensics are expected to play an ever increasing role in the FBI’s future
operations. Priority Actions: Increase the number of employees participating in the FBI’s Evidence Response Team Program in
support of international and domestic crime scene searches. Establish specialized Rapid Deployment Teams to conduct expeditious
examinations of both computer-related and other physical evidence in support of investigations and intelligence operations.
Expand the CART Program’s forensic capabilities and the ability for case investigators to review examination results. Develop,
plan, and schedule for basic and advanced hazardous materials training to bring on line 10 additional field Hazardous Materials
Response Teams and enhance the existing capabilities.
Indicator(s):
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