MANCHESTER, NH – Sixteen investigators, representing 10 different federal, state, county and local law enforcement agencies – including investigators from the Manchester Police Department’s Cybercrime Unit and Juvenile Division – will be graduating from Basic Computer Evidence Recovery Training (BCERT) on Sept. 28.
This training was funded by ICE – Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), conducted by HSI’s Computer Crimes Center (C3), and hosted by the Manchester Police Department.
BCERT is a rigorous, sic-week course, providing foundational knowledge in the area of digital forensics. It teaches investigators current best practices for recovering electronic evidence from all types of devices – from smart phones to tablets to desktop computers. Graduates of this program will be well-prepared to further any criminal investigations involving the use of such devices. Given that technology is so pervasive in today’s society, there are cyber aspects to virtually all types of crime – from child exploitation to drugs and human trafficking. Investigators attending this course will also leave with the latest hardware and software forensic tools for use at their respective agencies, equipment provided by HSI to help find files hidden on cell phones and computers that perpetrators do not want found.
Having this highly-coveted training taught locally is a first for New Hampshire. Typically, this training is conducted outside of New Hampshire.
“We were honored to host BCERT. The state-of-the-art training and equipment provided by BCERT will undoubtedly enhance this region’s law enforcement capabilities when it comes to finding electronic evidence,” Manchester Police Chief, Carlo Capano said.
“Cyber Crime presents severe dangers to national security, and public safety,” said Peter Fitzhugh, Special Agent in Charge of HSI Boston. “HSI is proud to work hand-in-hand with our New Hampshire law enforcement partners to mitigate these risks. I congratulate the law enforcement officers that have committed themselves to address these 21st-Century challenges.”
In addition to the Manchester Police Department, graduates of this class include personnel from the Police Departments of Concord, Derry, Nashua, and Portsmouth, the Sheriff’s Departments of Grafton and Merrimack, the New Hampshire State Police, HSI, and the U.S. Secret Service.
