| Computer forensics is becoming more mainstream in | | | | high-tech crimes. It will become America's institution of |
| litigation and with the amendments to the Federal | | | | excellence in the fight against cyber crimes." |
| Rules of Civil Procedure on 12-1-2006, more cases will | | | | The Center is being funded though a cooperative |
| utilize these rules. With the expected increase in | | | | effort by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, |
| demand for qualified and trained law enforcement | | | | the U.S. Secret Service, and state, county, and local |
| professionals, the first computer forensics institute has | | | | governments. The State of Alabama is contributing |
| been announced and will be located in Hoover, | | | | approximately $3 million dollars to the Center, to be |
| Alabama. Construction of the facility is expected to | | | | used for build-up expenses. The U.S. Department of |
| begin by mid-April of 2007, with construction completed | | | | Homeland Security is providing an additional $9 million |
| by January of 2008. Training is expected to begin in | | | | dollars, and the U.S. Secret Service is providing 18 |
| July 2007. | | | | full-time agents to help staff the Center. |
| "With the ever-increasing prevalence of cyber crimes | | | | U.S. Secret Service agents will teach computer |
| such as identity theft, computer hacking and online child | | | | forensics and digital evidence to national, state and |
| pornography, it is absolutely essential that we equip our | | | | local law enforcement at the Center. These agents |
| law enforcement personnel with the best training and | | | | are in the field and understand the curriculum from a |
| equipment available," said Governor Riley. "This center | | | | law enforcement perspective. It will include high-tech |
| will make Alabama the nation's leader in training our | | | | classrooms, a computer forensic lab, and public |
| local, state and federal law enforcement to combat | | | | education exhibit space. |