Using Technology to Solve Crimes and Train Investigators

Criminal behavior dates back to the beginning of time. Crime may be an old story, but thanks to the Internet and other technological breakthroughs, the types of crimes have evolved at break-neck speed that makes solving them evermore challenging. With the rise of computer crimes comes the need for specialized law enforcement training and tools to help the good guys win.

Based in Florida, the High Tech Crime Institute Inc. (HTCI) was founded by a service disabled veteran who realized this need. In 2004, HTCI joined forces with LC Technology, another leader in the forensic technology sector. The two companies formed HTCI @ LC Technology. HTCI @ LC Technology offers a comprehensive menu of services designed to keep in step with criminal trends. It consists of Forensic Hardware, Software and Training; Computer Crime Investigations; Forensic Data Recovery; Background Investigations; Email Recovery and Analysis and a Forensic Online Superstore. HTCI @ LC Technology training courses are geared to local, state and federal law enforcement officers, corrections officers, prosecutors, corporate security specialists and private investigators who are faced with these high tech crimes every day. Courses are tailored to current societal tendencies such as Computer Forensics for Investigators, Identity Theft, Computer Crime Investigations and Cell Phone and Portable Storage Forensics.

The Need for Speed

HTCI @ LC Technology is one of the fastest growing companies in its industry. Its course offerings are highly sought after classes that promise to keep students at the forefront of high tech crime investigating. But participants need to see the technology in action. System reliability, screen clarity, performance and speed are critical in providing participants with the real-world training needed to succeed in the field.

Beyond its own training use, HTCI @ LC Technology is a reseller of high-end computer systems and software to field investigators. To stay ahead of the market, HTCI @ LC Technology envisioned offering investigators the tools needed to expedite the processing of evidence at a crime scene with the use of onsite computers and software versus an offsite lab. It would package its software bundle onto the chosen hardware for a complete mobile rapid response unit for law enforcement agencies and corporate security clients.

The Lineup

HTCI @ LC Technology determined it could move closer to its goal when it came time to upgrade its notebook platform and the computers it sold to customers. HTCI @ LC Technology researched 30 notebook manufacturers and resellers, looking for a computer that would meet its durability, high performance and design requirements.

Stephen Pearson, managing partner for HTCI @ LC Technology, appreciated the qualities of his personal Alienware notebook he had used for years. After comparing it with the other notebooks under consideration, Pearson chose to standardize HTCI @ LC Technology’s notebooks on Alienware. Pearson consulted with his dedicated Alienware sales executive to determine the proper configurations for the system. His recommendations resulted in the purchase of 16 Alienware Area-51® m5700s with 16 additional systems to be deployed in November. Based on Intel® Centrino® Mobile Technology, the m5700 delivers advanced graphics and video performance, maximum storage and innovative wireless capabilities. It contains an Intel® Pentium Processor with Microsoft® Windows® XP and a 17” wide-view LCD screen for easy viewing. When HTCI @ LC Technology upgrades its desktops systems in the coming years, Alienware desktops will be at the top of the list for the replacements

“Field investigators and our trainers have multiple devices that need to connect to the notebook and Alienware was the only manufacturer we found that could provide a powerful system with the number of ports required, such as firewire and USB,” said Pearson. “The Alienware machines are deployable around the world and can withstand the often harsh environments to which they are subjected.”

Alienware is providing three year, 24x7 maintenance support on the HTCI computers for both HTCI @ LC Technology and HTIC @ LC Technology customers. HTCI @ LC Technology will have access to Alienware Help Desk around the clock.

Case Closed

HTCI @ LC Technology’s mobile training labs are at the forefront of its success, allowing instructors the ability to teach anywhere in the world where participants will have onsite access HTCI @ LC Technology’s hands-on mobile computer lab. Field investigators have the ability to process crime scene evidence onsite with state-of-the-art equipment and software.

HTCI @ LC Technology reports they have saved investigators up to two years of evidence processing time with the rapid response systems it sells. “Our Rapid Response kit saves time with the deluge of computer crimes because investigators can process the evidence themselves to avoid state lab backlogs that slow the process down by 200 percent,” explained Pearson. “The Alienware solution also enables better and more comprehensive evidence collection with fewer missed items.”

HTCI @ LC Technology recently won an $800K contract from the National Guard based on the HTCI/Alienware rapid response mobile systems solution. HTCI @ LC Technology will use the contract to develop a full training course for identifying and solving technology-based crimes. “We believe our solution, based on Alienware hardware and our embedded forensic software, will continue to impress potential customers who view this kind of high-performance technology as the foundation of today’s high tech crime investigation,” says Pearson. “Our customers appreciate our objective consultation about forensic technology. We take this responsibility seriously and welcome the complete solution Alienware presents. They don’t promise components and functionality they can’t provide and they ensure we have a customized system we can resell to fit our customers’ specific needs.”

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