Digital forensics class set to train law enforcement at UAH

A digital forensics class held at UAH in 2014.

Michael Mercier | UAH

Thirty law enforcement officers are set to attend a digital forensics tools and techniques class at The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) Dec. 14-18.

Hosted by UAH's Office of the Vice President for Research, the class will be hosted at UAH's Systems Management and Production (SMAP) Center on Sparkman Drive and will be conducted by the Mississippi State University (MSU) National Forensic Training Center. There is no cost to the police agencies involved.

"Within 24 hours of announcing this opportunity within law enforcement channels, the class filled to its maximum capacity, demonstrating the extreme need for such training in this area," says Dr. Ray Vaughn, UAH vice president for research. "UAH expects to continue such training opportunities as we build our labs and faculty expertise in this area."

"We truly live in a digital age. Nearly everyone carries a mobile device and has some type of online presence, from email to social media activity," says Officer Josh Vogel of the Huntsville Police Department. "Because of this, most crimes that law enforcement investigates, from robbery and homicide to white collar and crimes against children, leave a digital evidence trail.

"It's very important that law enforcement professionals are trained to properly document, collect and examine digital evidence," Officer Vogel says. "Thanks in part to the training offered here through the University of Alabama in Huntsville and the National Forensic Training Center at Mississippi State, our local law enforcement community is better prepared to meet the challenges of operating in this environment."