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NOPD’s Digital Forensics Unit Works to Uncover Evidence Buried in Bytes

by Aaron Looney

November 22, 2016

Categories: On the Beat

Topics: Modernizing Policing

NOPD’s Digital Forensics Unit Works to Uncover Evidence Buried in Bytes

In today’s world, technology is involved in nearly every aspect of our daily lives. Phones, computers, cameras and more capture records of our activities, both legal and illegal. Many times, this technological evidence aids detectives to build stronger cases against suspects or could even lead to exonerations, in some cases.

When evidence lies within the chips and circuits, the NOPD calls upon its Digital Forensics Unit, tasked with scouring the inner workings of computers, telephones and more to find any evidence they can to assist in investigations.

We sat down with Detective Eddie Williams Jr., one of two officers in the Digital Forensics Unit, who explained what the unit does and how the work serves a vital role in numerous investigations by the NOPD:

 

What is the Digital Forensics Unit (background, makeup, mission, specifics, etc.)?

The DFU was created in 2011 via a grant from the Patrick Taylor Foundation under former NOPD Superintendent Ronal Serpas. That grant paid for all of our equipment and subsequent training in all three disciplines – computers, mobile, and video forensics.

The unit is currently made up of and my partner, Alan Seaton, and I. We both transferred into the unit in May of 2013, when some staff changes were being made.

Our mission is to process evidence in a forensically sound manner using best practices and provide the results to the investigating detectives. While the Investigative Services Bureau units account for about 90 percent of our workload, the District Investigative Units utilize us as well on a daily basis.

We also strive to educate our fellow officers on proper handling of electronics, in regards to safeguarding its contents prior to us receiving them as well as interpreting the results afterwards. We do this primarily via teaching classes at both officer and detective in-services, as well as at classes for new detective. We hope to have time to do the same with NOPD recruits in upcoming classes.

 

How do you go about doing your job (what is a typical day, what are some of the bigger tasks)?

To maintain chain of custody, all devices to be processed are checked in at Central Evidence and Property either by the NOPD Crime Lab or by the investigating detective. Once the device or devices are in our hands, we bring it to our office at NOPD headquarters and process it accordingly. Once we have finished processing, we then have to generate a report. Some detectives want the contents of a device in its entirety while others request that we filter it to certain dates, times or communications between specific people. Our reports can be anywhere from three pages to our largest, which was about 72,000 pages. For an average smartphone, a report will average between 6-15,000 pages.

Some of our bigger tasks come when we are called to assist in video retrieval. Usually in the event of an officer involved shooting, large scenes that may span the suspect(s) path of flight etc. For example, in 2014 with a shooting on Bourbon Street, we were tasked with starting at the intersection of Bourbon and Canal and gathering video from every business leading up to the scene of the shooting. Once a path of flight was determined, we then followed that path throughout the French Quarter and gathered video along the way. All of this was done in concert with the Homicide unit and 8th District DIU working together. Once that was complete, we then brought the information back to the office and began the process of piecing it all together sequentially to assist the detective on the case.

We also have our own server in house that we manage. Because we assist in investigations of everything from shoplifters to murder and everything in between including child pornography, our servers are secured in house and not connected directly to the internet. Everything we process is saved until it has been adjudicated and out of the system. We currently are storing about 3,000 cases.

 

What experience and training have you undergone in this role?

I joined the NOPD in 2007. My first assignment was in the Second District. I eventually transferred to the Seventh District where, after a brief period on the platoon, I was put on the task force. Within a year, the districts formed their own narcotic units and I joined that. After about two years into that stretch I saw the opening for the DFU unit. The first interview was with ISB rank. The second interview was with ISB rank and the U.S. Secret Service. The USSS also help provide equipment and training for our unit.

I took part in numerous hours of training programs at locations across the country taught by organizations in forensics and computer programming. These include:

  • Four weeks of training in video forensics at the University of Indianapolis, taught by the Law Enforcement and Emergency Services Video Association;
  • One week of additional training in video forensics in Maryland, taught by Ocean Systems Software;
  • One week of training in video forensics at the New Orleans FBI compound, taught by Resolution Video, Inc.;
  • Four weeks of computer forensics training in Houston, taught by Guidance Software;
  • Two weeks of computer forensics training in Orlando Florida taught by the International Association of Computer Investigative Specialists;
  • Two weeks of cellular forensics training in Hoover, Ala., at the National Computer Forensics institute taught by the United States Secret Service; and
  • One week of additional cellular forensics training in Georgia by the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.

 

What drew you to join this unit?

Technology is everywhere and is being integrated into our lives more and more. No matter who you are, the victim or the suspect, almost everyone has a phone in their pocket or is being recorded at some point during the day or night. Criminals are utilizing technology, in many cases to not only find a victim, but to cover their tracks afterwards. Every police officer in every single role in this department uses their knowledge and talents to better serve the department and the public. This unit is comprised of two people, but the impact our work has on investigations can often be huge. Our training has enabled us to not only process video, mobile devices and computers, but to analyze the resulting data and interpret it to help assist investigations. Our work has led to both convictions and exonerations, and we take pride in that.

 

How do you feel that the unit benefits NOPD & the public?

Generally, when we receive evidence we have it processed and the results in the investigators hands within a day or two, max. That kind of turnaround time helps keep investigations moving and many times leads it into new directions. We also help by making demonstrative charts of video evidence to assist juries in understanding what exactly is happening in a particular video that isn’t always apparently to the untrained eye.

We also process evidence for the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office, the New Orleans Fire Department in regards to arson investigations and the district attorney’s office. We also assist from time to time with the taxi cab bureau for extracting video from within taxis when it’s pertinent to a criminal investigation. We help everyone who comes to us from any agency that is within the scope of a criminal investigation.

The department has made a substantial investment in our training and education in our respective field, as well as keeping our equipment on the cutting edge of what’s available and relevant. The support we receive from Superintendent Michael Harrison, ISB Commander Doug Eckert and our immediate supervisor, Sgt. Stuart Smith, has kept us moving forward and our training up to date. We look forward to continuing in our service to both the department and the people of this city.