Message from the RCFL Director
The primary mission of the San Diego Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory (SDRCFL) is to effectively meet the digital forensics needs of all law enforcement agencies and departments throughout the San Diego and Imperial Counties. The SDRCFL's casework is prioritized according to the magnitude and time-sensitivity of the crime under investigation – regardless of the identity or jurisdiction of the submitting law enforcement agency or department.
The SDRCFL's mission requires that there be highly-trained and well-equipped digital forensics Examiners available to support federal, state and local investigations and prosecutions. In this capacity, the SDRCFL assists with the seizure of digital evidence; conducts impartial and objective analysis of digital evidence using the best available tools and procedures available, and; rigorously trains its Examiners so they may effectively testify in court when needed.
The SDRCFL also provides training to all participating agencies and departments located in its service area, in the proper techniques for seizing, storing and analyzing computer evidence—at no cost to these agencies. In FY10, the SDRCFL trained over 500 local law enforcement personnel in these techniques. Where appropriate, the RCFL also supports on-going investigations of computer crime, such as unauthorized and malicious intrusions into computer systems, and uses state-of-the-art technology to obtain valuable evidence in real time.