NCJ Number
172489
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 65 Issue: 5 Dated: (May 1998) Pages: 28,30,32,35
Date Published
1998
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article summarizes findings from a survey of law enforcement agencies about their investigation of computer crimes.
Abstract
Surveys were mailed to all local-level agencies that employed 100 or more sworn officers and whose major focus did not appear to be specialized. In addition to other information, the designated investigators who completed the surveys were asked general questions about the tools they used, the training they received, and the problems they faced in investigating computer crimes. The 531 agencies were identified using Bureau of Justice Statistics information. A total of 165 surveys were returned for a response rate of 31 percent. Overall, the survey responses portray a bleak picture of inadequate training and resources, slightly tempered with a few success stories. The respondents agreed with the stereotype that criminals are more computer- literate than the investigators who track them. Respondents also noted, however, that some agencies are developing specialized task forces that are successfully dealing with computer crime. The most common complaint centered on training. One-third of the respondents noted that their agencies' investigators lacked proper training in computer crime, and another 7 percent complained that they had too few well-trained personnel to handle the quantity of computer investigations their agencies handled. Only half of the respondents reported that any training in computer crime was provided to their investigators. Ten percent of the agencies were forced to rely on outside assistance, because none of their employees could adequately investigate computer crimes. Nearly one-fourth of the respondents noted that their agencies lacked the equipment necessary to conduct effective investigations. Two-fifths of the respondents reported that their agencies did not provide their investigators with any equipment or software to assist them in computer crime cases. Nearly all (96 percent) of the respondents made suggestions for skills they felt were necessary in order to investigate computer crimes. Nearly half believed that knowledge about how to investigate computer crimes was key. Another 15 percent suggested that specific instruction on searching, retrieving, and preserving computer evidence was needed. Others suggested that instruction should cover overcoming passwords, comprehending computer crime law, investigating financial crimes, keeping abreast of innovations in the field, and working with alternative systems. All estimates point to large increases in high-tech crimes as technology continues to progress; nevertheless, many agencies still lack the training and resources to assertively challenge computer crime. 9 footnotes