FBI's Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory Network Increases Number of Accredited Labs

The American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board (ASCLD/LAB) accredited the Philadelphia Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory (PHRCFL) in digital and multimedia evidence—the 35th laboratory to achieve this goal, and the ninth RCFL to earn this accreditation.

The PHRCFL is part of the RCFL Program, a national network of 16 FBI-sponsored digital forensics laboratories and training centers devoted entirely to the examination of digital evidence in support of criminal investigations. The PHRCFL is managed by a coalition of federal, state, and local law enforcement organizations including the FBI through its Philadelphia Division and FBI Headquarters; Philadelphia Police Department; Lower Merion Township Police Department; Delaware County (PA) District Attorney’s Office; Montgomery County (PA) District Attorney’s Office; Lancaster City Bureau of Police, and; the Lower Providence Township Police Department.

The RCFL Program is funded and administered by the FBI’s Operational Technology Division (OTD) which supports the Bureau’s criminal investigative and intelligence-gathering efforts—and those of the PHRCFL’s federal, state, and local law enforcement/intelligence partners—with a wide range of sophisticated technological equipment, examination tools and capabilities, training, and specialized experience.

FBI OTD Assistant Director Marcus C. Thomas, said, “With this accreditation, the PHRCFL joins an exclusive club of digital evidence forensic laboratories who have gone far beyond words to demonstrate their commitment to ensuring the quality of forensic services rendered by their laboratories. Judges, juries, prosecutors, defense attorneys, victims, and even defendants should take great comfort in knowing that the systems and processes utilized by the PHRCFL are designed to ensure that the objective truth becomes known in any investigation regardless of whether that truth serves to convict or acquit the accused.”

According to ASCLD/LAB’s website, accreditation is part of a laboratory’s quality assurance program which should also include proficiency testing, continuing education, customer liaison, and other programs to help the laboratory provide more effective overall service. The accreditation process is an intensive assessment which evaluates the qualifications of all laboratory personnel; the laboratory’s operational and technical policies, practices, and procedures; and the laboratory’s quality management system.

For more information about the RCFL Program, visit www.rcfl.gov.