National Association of Prosecutor Coordinators

Prosecutor Coordinators—Leading The Way

By Thomas Robertson, President, National Association of Prosecutor Coordinators
Exceutive Secretary, Michigan Prosecuting Attorneys Coordinators Council

It is my privilege to inform you of the March 9, 2007, groundbreaking ceremonies for the National Computer Forensic Institute (NCFI). This project, jointly funded by the Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Secret Service, the State of Alabama and the city of Hoover, Alabama, is the brainchild of Randy Hillman, executive director for the Alabama District Attorneys Association.

Less than two years ago, Randy recognized the growing need for forensic computer analysis across all spectrums of the criminal justice system. From catching Internet predators and identity thieves to using e-mail streams to convict murderers, electronic evidence from computers, ipods, cell phones and Blackberries is a growing part of almost every criminal investigation and prosecution. Yet, trained computer forensic investigators are few and far between. In Michigan, the wait can be over nine months for a forensic analysis of a seized computer.

Randy’s vision was to create a national center where 900 to 1200 investigators, prosecutors and judges could be trained annually at no cost to the trainees. Those trainees could then become trainers in their respective jurisdictions. It doesn’t take an expert in Malthusian principles to see how quickly the lack of trained investigators, prosecutors and judges could be rectified.

Using a “Git-R-Done” attitude, Randy and the Alabama District Attorneys Association worked with Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, Alabama’s Congressional Delegation, and state and local officials to obtain a site and funding to make this project a reality. The first classes are on track to be conducted this September, and I am eagerly awaiting the opportunity to start sending folks from Michigan to take advantage of this incredible service.

I only wish I had thought of bringing this project to Michigan. Well done, Randy, you did Alabama and the prosecutor coordinators across the country proud.