Cyber and Forensics Division Equipment Upgrades

The Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) Cyber and Forensics Division (CFD) is called upon to assist in identifying, collecting, documenting, and preserving evidence in criminal investigations. These criminal investigations are highly variable and often pertain to crimes of significant severity, such as violent crimes against persons, human trafficking, opioid trafficking, active threats of violence in the community, and more. Due to Fairfax County's geographic location, it is common to have inter-jurisdictional crime due to the ease of access via roadways, waterways, an international airport, and a mass transit system that all have access points within Fairfax County. As a suburb of the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area, continuing to provide investigative and enforcement services of the quality that has led FCPD to be one of the safest jurisdictions of its size is a matter of both local and national security. Fairfax County is home to many federal agencies, associated federal employees and contractors, dignitaries, Supreme Court Justices, and approximately 1.2 million residents. As crime evolves with the advent of emerging technologies, so must the investigations, and it is crucial to replace technology and equipment currently in use by FCPD CFD detectives that is aging and, in some cases, outdated to maintain industry standards and best contemporary law enforcement practices.

Crime scene investigation is a detail-oriented task that requires a high amount of time. Advanced technologies such as scanning technology can be employed to increase both efficiency and accuracy of scene documentation. Scanning technology has the capability to create both 3D and 2D maps of crime scenes to include scale measurements of the scene. In addition, smaller, handheld scanning units have been developed that allow the application of scanning technology to spaces that are more difficult to navigate due to size limitations and environmental limitations or would otherwise be better suited to a narrower focus for image rendering.

The mobile surveillance platform currently available to detectives is non-functional. The computers utilized in the surveillance van have failed, rendering the entire platform unusable. Replacing the equipment will make a valuable tool in criminal investigation available for use once again.

Evidence analysis equipment contributes to the ability of detectives to locate latent evidence. While the current equipment items are still functional, the maintenance of the aging technology requires costly repairs to remain in service. Advancements in technology are now available that would contribute to higher quality results and greater efficiency in analysis that would contribute to detectives' ability to process items for latent evidence.

Evidence preservation systems currently in place are nearing the end of their functional life cycle. These systems are of utmost importance in preserving biological evidence, including trace DNA. Due to its use, evidence preservation systems must be sterilized between uses to prevent cross-contamination of DNA evidence. Newer technologies are available that provide greater efficiency and efficacy in sterilization, which is especially important in investigating crimes against persons.