From May 1 through May 5, 2017, John L. Young, Senior Assistant Prosecuting for Christian County completed training at the National Computer Forensics Institute (NCFI) in Hoover, Alabama. The NCFI is a partnership between the United States Secret Service, Department of Homeland Security, and the Alabama District Attorney’s Association to train state and local law enforcement, judges and prosecutors in computer forensics and digital evidence. Mr. Young was one of a select group of prosecutors that came from all over the United States. Those that attend do so at no cost to the local jurisdiction.
The five-day course provides hands-on experience to allow prosecutors to obtain knowledge and insight into handling criminal cases with digital evidence. The training teaches prosecutors how the computer forensics process is completed by investigators and how to better evaluate and present computer crimes cases.
The in-court exercises dealt with a fictional case that involved fraudulent computer access, identity theft, and forgery of documents, which will equip to him in successfully handling his caseload including property and financial crimes.
In our age of technology, various offenses are committed, documented or aided using a computer or electronic device. Citizens face the possibility of having his or her electronically stored information hacked and becoming victims of identity theft and or the loss confidential information. Prosecutors and law enforcement must seek training to equip them with the knowledge necessary to effectively pursue justice.