University of Arkansas Police Detective Finishes Training, Ready to Investigate Computer Crime

Det. Kimberly Bertschy and FRED

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – University of Arkansas Police investigator Kimberly Bertschy recently completed a course of study at the National Computer Forensics Institute in Hoover, Ala., designed to train officers to conduct basic electronic-crime investigations, respond to network intrusion incidents and conduct computer forensics examinations.

Detective Bertschy returned to the university with FRED, a Forensic Recovery of Evidence Device, approximately $20,000 worth of computer equipment for conducting electronic investigations and donated by the institute to each department taking part in the program. FRED is now installed at the University of Arkansas Police Department, and Bertschy will use the system to search for evidence on computer hard drives and other electronic devices.

“I’m excited to have FRED in the office, and I can’t wait to put it to work,” said Bertschy.

Bertschy has been interested in the area of computer forensics for several years. Her new training and the new equipment will enable her to conduct investigations that UAPD would have previously transferred to the state crime lab or another agency, costing valuable time.

The National Computer Forensics Institute is a federally funded program established in 2007 through a partnership initiative between the Department of Homeland Security, the United States Secret Service, the Alabama District Attorneys Association, the state of Alabama and the city of Hoover. The institute trains state and local law enforcement officers to conduct basic electronic-crime investigations and provides their departments the hardware, software, manuals and tools they need to do the job.

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