Focus on digital forensics

Eddy County State's Attorney, Ashley Lies, spent last week at the National Computer Forensics Institute (NCFI) in Alabama.

On Monday, Aug. 15, Lies found out she was accepted to the Digital Evidence for Prosecutors Course at the NCFI, which is operated through the United States Secret Service and the Alabama Office of Prosecution Services.

The course lasted five days, Aug. 22-26, and participants discussed investigating crimes that involve technology and digital evidence.

Among the many items discussed were computer crimes, tracing IP addresses, search and seizure warrants and data concepts.

Lies said the training was 100 percent paid for by the Secret Service, including travel, lodging and meals, making it possible for rural prosecutors such as herself to attend and take home lessons that help their communities.

"The Department of Homeland Security and the United States Secret Service fund this in order to provide training on cyber and electronic crimes to law enforcement and prosecutors that would otherwise be unavailable to almost all but the largest departments due to cost," Lies explained.

"I am excited and honored for this opportunity, and with the recent burglary of our local bars, this education couldn't come at a better time," she said. "I believe this education will help with aspects of investigation continuing in that case, as well as the influx of cases we are seeing that have an aspect of digital evidence to them."

According to ncfi.usss.gov, the NCFI is a state-of-the-art, 40,00 square foot facility with four multi-purpose classrooms, two network intrusion classrooms, a mock courtroom and administrative work areas.

The NCFI first opened in 2008, and since then has trained over 18,000 local, state, tribal and territorial law enforcement officers, prosecutors and/or judges, using a curriculum designed for challenges specific to modern times.

"The curriculum reflects current and emerging trends in the field and addresses potential technological obstacles as they are encountered in active investigations," the NCFI website states.

On Wednesday, Aug. 24, Lies provided an update on how classes are going, and how what she's learning will help with cases here in Eddy County.

"I have learned numerous skills to practically apply back in Eddy County. ... I have learned about free resources that are available to my office as a governmental employee that will change the way my office and the sheriff's office can investigate crimes and obtain evidence to secure convictions.

"I feel a renewed passion for the job and a continued pride in the work we do," added Lies. "I look forward to meeting with our Deputies when I get back to share many of these resources with them."

Lies also told the Transcript she's learning how to analyze and present digital information in a way juries can understand and conceptualize. She added that, because the course is five days long, they're really able to delve deep into details other training events simply don't allow time for.

"I don't think I can properly put into words how much I have learned at this class or how important it is to my work in Eddy County," said Lies.

"I know I will be able to use this education and these resources to improve the efficacy of my work, as well as to secure additional essential information to use in our prosecution. I can't thank the NCFI and Secret Service enough for this opportunity and cannot believe they provide this education free of charge."