Mississippi State University National Forensics Training Center Initiative

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.

Mississippi State University (MSU) will use the Fiscal Year 2009 Congressionally Selected funds to continue their National Forensics Training Center Initiative. This is an ongoing project supporting state and local law enforcement in training related to digital forensics and computer crime investigation activities. Additionally, this project involves a partnership with the State of Mississippi Office of the Attorney General in their operation of a Cyber Crime Fusion Center located in Jackson, Mississippi. The continuation of this initiative improves training efforts on a national scale and continues the partnerships with the Mississippi Office of the Attorney General and the National Center for Justice and Rule of Law at the University of Mississippi. MSU has developed a capability to train law enforcement in the local facilities at MSU or by taking their portable training equipment to the locations when it is more cost effective to do so.

NCA/NCF