U. S. Secret Service - Investigations

United States Secret Service Investigations

What the ECB does:

They provide administrative control of all computer-related and telecommunications investigations.
They provide technical assistance to our special agents in the development of their cases, including the preparation and service of search warrants on electronic storage devices.
They provide laboratory analysis and courtroom testimony concerning the evidentiary contents of electronic storage devices seized during criminal investigations.
They provide educational presentations to classes and seminars for law enforcement officers, other government agencies, and private industry.
They meet regularly with other government agencies, hardware manufacturers, and software publishers to stay at the leading edge of this quickly changing technology.
They conduct research and development projects in order to address new problem areas, linked to new technology.

As computers and related storage and communication devices proliferate in our society, so does the use of those devices in conducting criminal activities. Technology is employed by criminals as a means of communication, a tool for theft and extortion, and a repository to hide incriminating evidence or contraband materials. Law enforcement officers must possess up-to-date knowledge and equipment to effectively investigate today's criminal activity. The law enforcement community is challenged by the task of identifying, investigating and prosecuting individuals and organizations that use these and other emerging technologies to support their illicit operations.

The Financial Crimes Division has become involved in the training of foreign law enforcement officials in the areas of investigative techniques, types of international fraud schemes, and identification of systemic weaknesses in their financial systems that lead to fraudulent activity. Financial Crimes Division has provided training for more than 2,000 foreign law enforcement and banking officials from the following countries: Latvia, Russia, Japan, Slovenia, Cyprus, Ukraine, Pakistan, Australia, China, Peru, Korea, France, Aruba, South Africa, Mexico and Spain.

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Forensic examiners in the Secret Service Forensic Services Division (FSD) provide analysis for questioned documents, fingerprints, false identification, credit cards, and other related forensic science areas. Examiners use both instrumental and chemical analysis when reviewing evidence. FSD also manages the Secret Service’s polygraph program nationwide. The division coordinates photographic, graphic, video, and audio and image enhancement service, as well as the Voice Identification Program. In addition, FSD is responsible for handling the Forensic Hypnosis Program. Much of the forensic assistance the Secret Service offers is unique technology operated in this country only by FSD.

As part of the 1994 Crime Bill, Congress mandated the Secret Service to provide forensic/technical assistance in matters involving missing and sexually exploited children. FSD offers this assistance to federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, the Morgan P. Hardiman Task Force and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).

The Instrument Analysis Services Section houses the International Ink Library - the most complete forensic collection of writing inks worldwide, that contains over 7,000 samples. This collection is used to identify the source of suspect writing by not only providing the type and brand of writing instrument, but the earliest possible date that a document could have been produced. This Section also maintains a watermark collection of over 22,000 images as well as collections of plastics, toners and computer printer inks.

FSD also operates a hybrid Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS). As of 1999, this network is the largest of its kind and is composed of remote latent fingerprint terminals providing a connection to fingerprint databases with access to more than 30 million fingerprints. This enables the fingerprint specialist to digitize a single latent fingerprint from an item of evidence and to search for its likeness from fingerprint databases throughout the country. These findings often provide the investigator with a suspect's name.

Fingerprint Identification

Polygraph Equipment

The Polygraph Examination Program is known as a forerunner in the law enforcement community for advancing the fine art of physiologically detecting deception. Polygraph examinations are a major investigative tool for all cases under the Secret Service jurisdiction. Through proper use of the polygraph, the agency maintains a high resolution of its investigations, resulting in a significant savings in the expenditure of man-hours, equipment, and money. The Polygraph Program has a host of examiners who are highly trained in interview and interrogation techniques. Each examiner is capable of conducting a reliable polygraph examination on issues involving criminal, national security, and employee-screening matters.