Spafford to Serve on FBI Computer Forensics Advisory Board

Professor Eugene Spafford, Professor of Computer Science and Executive Director of CERIAS (Center for Education and Research in Information Assurance and Security) has been selected to represent Indiana Governor Joe Kernan on the National Steering Committee of an inter-governmental advisory board that provides advice and recommendations to the Federal Bureau of Investigation leadership on a range of issues surrounding the Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory Program (RCFL).

Spafford had this to say about his appointment. “An important component of information security is the ability of law enforcement to gather evidence and prosecute cyber criminals. Public policy on cyber crime investigation is sometimes controversial, however, because of concerns about privacy and how information is gathered. At Purdue, in CERIAS, we have been developing technology and policy for cyber crime investigation that also protects basic civil rights. Thus, I am honored to have been asked to join the board of this important national effort, and I look forward to assisting them in addressing their many pressing challenges.”

Computer forensics is one of the fastest growing disciplines within law enforcement. Since 9/11, the RCFL Program has provided technical support for over 200 cases involving terrorism, and is available to over 900 law enforcement agencies in five states. Kerry E. Haynes, Assistant Director, Investigative Technologies Division said, “Computer forensics is one of the most specialized sciences available to law enforcement, making the RCFL Program one of the most dynamic tools we have to fight crime and terrorism.”

Because of the explosive growth of computer forensics within law enforcement, the FBI recognized that an advisory board comprised of a cross section of stakeholders could benefit the national program overall. National Steering Committee Co-chair, Tony Whitledge, who is also the Director of the Internal Revenue Service’s Electronic Crimes Program, said “This is a very exciting development for RCFLs and the science of computer forensics. Because the National Steering Committee has brought together experts in computer science and security, forensic science, prosecutors and law enforcement, the NSC is positioned to make an immediate and meaningful contribution to the RCFL program.”

An RCFL provides computer forensic expertise to any law enforcement agency in their specific service area in support of federal, state, and local criminal investigations and prosecutions. Today, FBI-sponsored RCFLs are operating in San Diego, CA; Dallas, Texas; Kansas City, MO; and Chicago, IL. Eight more RCFLs will join the Program by the end of 2004 in Buffalo, NY; Denver, CO; Houston, TX; Newark, NJ; Philadelphia, PA, Portland, OR; Salt Lake City, UT; and San Francisco, CA.

The National Steering Committee membership includes federal, state and local prosecutors and law enforcement officials, representatives from the Departments of Defense and the Department of Justice, renowned computer scientists and security experts from academia and key law enforcement associations, and the director of one of the most sophisticated crime labs in the country.

Individuals and organizations represented on the National Steering Committee:

- Michael Battle, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of New York, member of the U.S. Attorney General’s Advisory Committee
- Craig Chval, Missouri Attorney General’s Office, member of the National Association of Attorneys General
- Benny Del Re, Director, Santa Clara County Crime Laboratory, member of the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors
- Kenneth Laursen, Department of Defense Computer Forensic Laboratory
- Mark Eckenwiler, Deputy Chief, Computer Crime & Intellectual Property Section, U.S. Department of Justice
- Jerry Estes, District Attorney General, 10th Judicial District, Tennessee, member of the National District Attorneys Association
- Aaron Kennard, Sheriff of Salt Lake City County, Utah, member of the National Sheriffs Association
- Russell Laine, Chief, Algonquin Police Department, member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police
- Douglas A. Schmidtknecht, Director RCFL National Program Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation
- Dr. Sujeet Shenoi, University of Tulsa, representing the Governor of Oklahoma
- Professor Eugene H. Spafford, Purdue University CERIAS, representing the Governor of Indiana

The NSC meets bi-annually. For more information about this initiative and the RCFL Program, visit the NPO Web Site at www.nationalrcfl.gov

4-14-04