With the continuing advances in digital technology, law enforcement agencies are starting to see more and more crimes committed with computers and other digital devices, or evidence of crime stored on these devices.

In 2005, the Richmond Police Department joined the Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, administered by the Indiana State Police. A true multi-jurisdictional task force, the ICAC is made up of Federal, State, and Local law enforcement agencies who seek to stop the exploitation of children on the Internet. In that interest, the Richmond Police Department has been allocated funds by the State Police as part of an Office of Juvenile Justice and Deliquency Prevention grant to provide digital forensics on computer and other digital devices seized by member agencies of the Task Force, as well as to assist surrounding jurisdictions with the seizure and processing of electronic evidence.

The Richmond Police Department Digital Forensics Lab was initiated in 2006, and immediately begin to process seized digital evidence. The lab is currently a part-time endeavor, being manned by an officer who has received specialized training in digital forensic methodology and the use of specialized equipment and software.

As a result of its ICAC participation, the Richmond Police Department Digital Forensics Lab (RPDDFL) seeks to teach parents, children, and the community the unique, often unseen dangers that the Internet can pose for unwary children and teens. We also provide instruction on making the Internet a safer place to surf to the community. If you have questions about the RPDDFL, digital forensics, the Indiana Crimes Against Children Task Force, or about Internet Safety, please contact Lt. Chris Taylor through email or at (765)983-7372.