Award Information
Description of original award (Fiscal Year 2009, $800,000)
The Congressionally Selected Awards Program, authorized by the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009 (Pub. L. 111-8), helps improve the functioning of the criminal justice system, prevent or combat juvenile delinquency, and/or assist victims of crime (other than compensation). Funds should be used for the projects selected by Congress, in the amounts specified in the joint explanatory statement incorporated by reference into Pub. L. 111-8, and generally consistent with one or more of the following statutory purposes: improving the functioning of the criminal justice system, preventing or combating juvenile delinquency, or assisting victims of crime (other than compensation). Each of these purposes is framed using language drawn, respectively, from the former Byrne discretionary statute, the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, the Victims of Crime Act, and the Violence Against Women Act. This project is authorized and funded through a line item in the FY 09 Congressional Budget and by the joint explanatory statement that is incorporated by reference into the FY09 Omnibus Appropriations Act.
The Des Moines Area Community College will use its FY 2009 Congressionally Selected Award to expand the Electronic Crime Institute (ECI). The ECI will provide digital forensics education and training to criminal justice students, law enforcement professionals, the legal community and the general public.
The Des Moines Area Community College will create a Forensic Accounting Certificate program addressing the demand for forensic accountants to detect illegal financial activity committed either from inside or outside of business corporations. The ECI's curriculum will focus on wireless/network and mobile-device forensics, and expanding forensics workshop courses for law enforcement, electronic security personnel and legal professionals. The curriculum will expand the current NetSmartz program to educate citizens on cyber-bullying and regional trends; conduct public workshops on electronic crime and online safety, including a hands-on component to enable participants to actually implement solutions to increase their safety online; and serve as a resource for digital forensic practitioners and the academic community by conducting applied research.
NCA/NCF