Policies, Processes, and Procedures for XYZ Digital Forensics Lab are hereby established. This is a statement of current policies, procedures, rules, and guidelines that govern the facilities and equipment, methods and procedures, and analyst qualifications and training. All personnel are to conform to these provisions.
1. TRAINING DEVELOPMENT
It is imperative that individuals assigned to conduct forensic examinations be highly trained with an excellent foundation of knowledge in the area of information technology and digital evidence practices. Technology is an ever-changing field and requires constant training to keep abreast of the latest trends and information; therefore, all personnel must maintain a minimum level of training annually. …show more content…
CASE ASSIGNMENT AND PRIORITIZATION
Once a case is accepted into the laboratory, the lab director is responsible for prioritizing cases. Generally, cases will be assigned to laboratory members at the discretion of the director, except that specific cases or categories of cases requiring specific security clearance or lawful authority may be specifically assigned by the director.
4. CONTROL OF MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES
Materials and supplies that affect the quality of forensic analysis or the calibration checks of equipment should be standardized and approved by the lab director. Forensic supplies (write blockers, software, etc.) must be tested and verified prior to being placed in service and being used for an actual case.
5. PROPERTY AND EVIDENCE CONTROL
The laboratory receives digital evidence from a variety of local, county, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. All evidence must be handled according to established guidelines.
a. PERSONNEL RESPONSIBILITIES
Chain of custody and the protection of evidence are paramount to our operations. All personnel have the responsibility of protecting evidence stored in the laboratory.
b. RECEIPT OF DIGITAL EVIDENCE
When a law enforcement officer delivers digital evidence to the laboratory the following steps must be …show more content…
• The evidence will be secured within the property/evidence room.
• If this is a new case, a case number will be created and the case jacket forwarded to the lab director for prioritization,
c. EVIDENCE HANDLING WITHIN THE FORENSIC LAB
Forensic examiners will often need to retrieve evidence from the property/evidence room as part of their investigation. The person removing the evidence will indicate the date/time the evidence was removed, why it was removed, and the date/time it was returned. Before returning property/evidence to the property/evidence room, it must be sealed.
d. RELEASE OF DIGITAL EVIDENCE TO OUTSIDE AGENCIES
When releasing evidence back to the originating agency, the representative from the originating agency will sign showing receipt of the evidence.
e. DESTRUCTION OF EVIDENCE
No evidence will be destroyed without first having a court order or a signed consent form from an owner and approval from the lab director. If any evidence is destroyed, the following must be documented:
• Person who destroyed evidence
• Date/time evidence was destroyed
• Method of destruction (deletion, physical,
1. TRAINING DEVELOPMENT
It is imperative that individuals assigned to conduct forensic examinations be highly trained with an excellent foundation of knowledge in the area of information technology and digital evidence practices. Technology is an ever-changing field and requires constant training to keep abreast of the latest trends and information; therefore, all personnel must maintain a minimum level of training annually. …show more content…
CASE ASSIGNMENT AND PRIORITIZATION
Once a case is accepted into the laboratory, the lab director is responsible for prioritizing cases. Generally, cases will be assigned to laboratory members at the discretion of the director, except that specific cases or categories of cases requiring specific security clearance or lawful authority may be specifically assigned by the director.
4. CONTROL OF MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES
Materials and supplies that affect the quality of forensic analysis or the calibration checks of equipment should be standardized and approved by the lab director. Forensic supplies (write blockers, software, etc.) must be tested and verified prior to being placed in service and being used for an actual case.
5. PROPERTY AND EVIDENCE CONTROL
The laboratory receives digital evidence from a variety of local, county, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. All evidence must be handled according to established guidelines.
a. PERSONNEL RESPONSIBILITIES
Chain of custody and the protection of evidence are paramount to our operations. All personnel have the responsibility of protecting evidence stored in the laboratory.
b. RECEIPT OF DIGITAL EVIDENCE
When a law enforcement officer delivers digital evidence to the laboratory the following steps must be …show more content…
• The evidence will be secured within the property/evidence room.
• If this is a new case, a case number will be created and the case jacket forwarded to the lab director for prioritization,
c. EVIDENCE HANDLING WITHIN THE FORENSIC LAB
Forensic examiners will often need to retrieve evidence from the property/evidence room as part of their investigation. The person removing the evidence will indicate the date/time the evidence was removed, why it was removed, and the date/time it was returned. Before returning property/evidence to the property/evidence room, it must be sealed.
d. RELEASE OF DIGITAL EVIDENCE TO OUTSIDE AGENCIES
When releasing evidence back to the originating agency, the representative from the originating agency will sign showing receipt of the evidence.
e. DESTRUCTION OF EVIDENCE
No evidence will be destroyed without first having a court order or a signed consent form from an owner and approval from the lab director. If any evidence is destroyed, the following must be documented:
• Person who destroyed evidence
• Date/time evidence was destroyed
• Method of destruction (deletion, physical,