New Computer Crime Lab To Help Wyoming, Colorado Authorities

On Jan. 18, the Rocky Mountain Regional Computer Forensic Laboratory opened its doors in Centennial, Colo., providing a 16,500-square-foot space for 11 lab analysts to investigate crimes involving the use of computers and electronics.

Nine similar labs are already operating in regions across the country, and by the end of 2006 a total of 14 such labs are likely to be operational, servicing more than 3,000 law enforcement agencies in 16 states.

These labs help law enforcement personnel investigate crimes and also train them to examine electronic and digital evidence. The Centennial lab has received a $2 million startup grant from the FBI, which will also pay for the lab’s operating expenses.

Investigators working at the lab will examine computers to find a variety of evidence, including email messages, deleted files, Web sites viewed, and even information from cell phones and other devices.
Abstracted by the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center(NLECTC) from the Casper Star-Tribune (WY) (12/26/05) .