RCFL Awarded Accreditation

The American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board (ASCLD/LAB)-International Program accredited the Intermountain West Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory (IWRCFL) in digital evidence—the 71st laboratory in the world to achieve this goal, and the first Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory to earn international accreditation.

The IWRCFL is part of the Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory (RCFL) Program, a national network of 16 digital forensics laboratories and training centers selected, funded, and administered by the FBI's Operational Technology Division (OTD). Each RCFL is devoted entirely to the examination of digital evidence in support of criminal investigations. The IWRCFL is managed by a coalition of federal, state, and local law enforcement organizations including the FBI's Salt Lake City Division; Utah Department of Public Safety; Utah Office of the Attorney General; Salt Lake City Police Department; West Valley City Police Department; Salt Lake City County Sheriff's Office; Weber County Sheriff's Office; Davis County Sheriff's Office; Ada County Sheriff's Office (Boise, Idaho); Billings (Montana) Police Department; and the United States Attorney Office (District of Utah).

The RCFL Program is part of the FBI's OTD headed by Assistant Director Marcus C. Thomas, who said, "The FBI is committed to providing the highest quality forensics examinations to the law enforcement and intelligence communities. This accreditation reinforces our standing as the nation's preeminent digital forensics laboratory network. Congratulations go to the IWRCFL staff for a job well done."

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. The IWRCFL met all aspects of the requirements for international accreditation.

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