The National Forensic Science Technology Center created this website to explain in simplified terms the principles of each type of forensic analysis and how the analysis is performed. Topics include DNA, digital evidence, fingerprints, firearms, trace evidence, blood stains, and more.
Resources
Short Tandem Repeat DNA Internet DataBase
Forensic DNA analysis resources compiled by John Butler. Includes training materials, technical information, and a collection of data by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
Digital Evidence Insider
Forensic Magazine regularly posts articles on digital forensics. Recent topics include: SIM card forensics, cell phone evidence, and collecting computer evidence.
NACDL’s Fourth Amendment Center
Offers direct assistance to defense lawyers handling cases involving new technologies and tactics that may infringe on privacy rights of Americans.
Electronic Frontier Foundation
Nonprofit that defends digital privacy. Website includes information on cell tracking, locational privacy, pen trap, surveillance technologies, and more. Cell Tracking – Considers whether the government can use cell phone records to track the physical location of a suspect without first obtaining a warrant based on probable cause. Printers – Discusses the practice of color laser printer …
FoneFinder
Provides the name of the service provider associated with a phone number.
Retention Periods of Major Cellular Service Providers
Retention periods for call details, cell tower information, text message content, pictures, and other types of data from a CAST presentation shared in a 2021 Vice article.
Retention Periods of Major Cellular Service ProvidersRead More
Database of internet service and other online content providers
Search this directory of wireless and internet service providers to find contact information for legal departments. This directory was created for law enforcement use through a grant from the DOJ.
Database of internet service and other online content providersRead More
Digital Evidence Subpoena Guide
This 2015 guide contains addresses and phone/fax numbers for the legal departments/subpoena compliance centers of cellular providers and social media sites. Please be aware of 2014 Formal Ethics Opinion 7 when issuing subpoenas. John Rubin’s 2017 blog post on subpoenaing-of-state materials is available here. Email Sarah Rackley Olson if you have any corrections or updated information for the subpoena …
Guide to Child Pornography Cases
Larry Daniel addresses common issues with child pornography cases in this guide. Topics include what information an expert will need and what services an expert may be able to provide. Daniel provides an explanation of technical terms commonly used in these cases.
Getting Facebook into Evidence
This guide, prepared by Larry Daniel, provides information on the collection, preservation, and authentication of Facebook evidence from a digital forensics perspective.
Digital Evidence Subcommittee
The Digital Evidence Subcommittee of OSAC focuses on standards and guidelines related to information of probative value that is stored or transmitted in binary form.
Scientific Working Group on Digital Evidence
Composed of member organizations that are actively engaged in the field of digital and multimedia evidence. Works to foster communication and cooperation and ensure quality and consistency within the forensic community.
Discovery checklist
This checklist can help attorneys identify what DNA lab reports have been received in discovery and what additional items may need to be requested.
BBC Knowledge Explainer DNA
3-minute video explains the basics of DNA’s form and function. Though the focus of this animated film is not forensic DNA, it gives important introductory information that is useful as a building block for understanding forensic DNA analysis.