FORENSIC LABORATORY SETUP REQUIREMENTS..

MSC-IT-IIMSC-IT-IICOMPUTER FORENSICS.

OVERVIEW:OVERVIEW:• OBJECTIVE.

• ABSTRACT.

• INTRODUCTION.

• HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS.

• DESIGNING LABS WITH VARIOUS ASPECTS.

• CONCLUSION

• REFERENCES

OBJECTIVE:OBJECTIVE:• Designing and building a forensic laboratory is a

complicated undertaking.

• The National Institute of Justice (NIJ), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)/Office of Law Enforcement Standards (OLES), and the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors (ASCLD) held a joint workshop November 13–14, 1996 at NIST in Gaithersburg, Maryland, to develop guidelines for planning, designing, constructing, and moving of labs.

PROCESS OF CONSTRUCTION OF NEW LABPROCESS OF CONSTRUCTION OF NEW LAB• The process of constructing a new forensic laboratory revolves

around four general activities:o Planning: The key to a successful planning stage is the preparation of a Needs

Assessment/Design Program

o Design: There is not one universally correct plan for forensic laboratory design. Design will vary with each laboratory’s specific needs.

o Construction: The construction stage offers a last chance before occupancy to make changes to the proposed lab structure that were missed in the construction documents or during the planning and design stages.

o Moving: Laboratory work must continue even as the shift is made from the old facility to the new. The plan can be divided into premove, move, and post move activities.

INTRODUCTION TO VARIOUS SECTIONS INTRODUCTION TO VARIOUS SECTIONS IN LAB:IN LAB:• A forensic laboratory consists of a number of separate and

distinct laboratories, each with its own specific function, spaces, and equipment.

o Biology section

o Chemistry section

o Toxicology section

o Latent fingerprint section

o Firearms section

o Trace evidence section

HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS• Computers, a network server with

large storage

• Server

• Internet connection(s)

• Workstations that connect to the internal network

• Biometric Portable acquisition computers

• Kits must also have an assortment of forms, labels, tags, pens, tape, evidence bags, an electronic camera, a GPS, etc

• Media devices, cables, converters, and specialized media readers of various types

• EnCase, Forensics Tool Kit, Password Recovery Tool Kit, etc,

• LAN software, operating systems, administrative software, graphics software

• Simple Design

• Set of tools for examination of data.

• Operational software like OS, graphic software, etc.

SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS

CONSIDERATIONS ON LABORATORY SET UP• To ensure maximization of laboratory functions and quality results, the

physical design of a forensic science facility should be guided by the following principles, namely:

o Ensure the security and non-contamination of exhibits and the confidentiality of laboratory operations.

o Ensure the security, health and safety of the staff working in the laboratoryo Facilitate the flow of evidence from receipt in the laboratory to analysis and

disposal/return to the customer.• The laboratory facilities, including energy sources, lighting and

environmental conditions specially Electromagnetic interferences, Radiation, Temperature and humidity, Stability of electrical supply, Sound and vibration levels.• Incompatible neighboring activities must be adequately separated.• Measures must be in place to avoid cross-contamination.

SITE DESIGN::• Site accesso Emergency and service accesso Site lightingo Landscape design

• The following are recommended levels of security for parking:

o Level 1, unsecured. o Level 2, partially secured.o Level 3, secured. o Level 4, high security.

GENERAL BUILDING DESIGN::• Exterior walls

• HVAC intakes

• Visitor access protection.

• Duress alarms.

• Corridors

• Doors

• Equipment and systems service and maintenance.

SECURITY DESIGN::• Escort only design

• Door access systems

• Door status monitoring.

• Closed circuit television (CCTV) systems.

• Special security design features.

PLUMBING SYSTEMS DESIGN• Emergency shower and eyewashes and floor drains.

• Caustic (acid/alkali) waste systems

• Water treatment systems.

• Small gas cylinders

• Laboratory gas locations.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS DESIGN:• Emergency generator• Uninterruptable power supply (UPS).

GENERAL LABORATORY DESIGN:Clean sink areasEvidence drying roomsLaboratory floors.Laboratory wallsLaboratory ceilings.Files

UNIVERSAL FACILITY DESIGN COMPONENTSUNIVERSAL FACILITY DESIGN COMPONENTS• Although no two forensic laboratories are alike, there are basic

functional components and areas that are universal to most laboratory buildings.

• The following set of checklists serve as recommended guidelines and requirements for universal laboratory building components, and have been divided into four categories: o administrativeo storageo buildingo general technical.

BUILDING

•Mechanical

• Communications.

• Electrical.

• Staff use.

• Other

GENERAL TECHNICAL

• Vehicle processing.

• Forensic photography.

• Computer imaging.

• Training.

• Quality assurance.

• Crime scene unit.

CONCLUSION• During the design all the facility planning and design work will be brought to

fruition and the forensic laboratory facility will be built. During the construction phase a team of individuals represents the laboratory’s interests, ensuring that all the laboratory concepts are fully implemented. Each member of the team has a defined set of responsibilities.

• All of these parts, facility, hardware, softwareand procedures still rely on the skills, dedication and professionalism of the people involved.

THANK YOU…THANK YOU…

THANK YOU…THANK YOU…