The need for more law enforcement training in the handling of electronic evidence is acute. This week has brought us more than our usual share of bumbling and fumbling from our friends in blue. This week’s harvest included:
- A police department that turned a computer on and off (hey guys, this is original evidence you’re stomping on!) six times within two days of seizure, accessing numerous files.
- A police department that handed over evidence containing child pornography to the city’s IT director for analysis (um . . . gotta read that Adam Walsh Act chaps!)
- Last but not least, we were once again sent child pornography in the mail by a Public Defender’s Office – and sadly, this is the second time in a month – and generated by the same individual. You would think, after we reported the previous incident just weeks ago, that corrective measures would have been taken. Apparently not.
Note to law enforcement: We love working with you. We are all professional colleagues in search of the truth. But please get your folks trained so you don’t blow your cases! And yes, John and I do training in the proper handling of electronic evidence and would be happy to help. Let that school bell ring!
E-mail: snelson@senseient.com Phone: 703-359-0700
