I'd like to announce the opening of a new forum for Law Enforcement only, at
Restricting it to LE isn't meant to be divisive or anything like that, it's just that there does seem to be a perceived need for an LE-only forum.
The sign-up procedure is a bit convoluted at the moment - you need to register then send back the confirmation email. Then to get access to the forum you need to send an email from an official account (i.e. police or other government agency) to registrations@hightechcrimeforum.org.uk with your username and brief details about where you work, so it can be given reading and posting rights on the forum. This is to check that the email is from an official account.
Don't be put off by the UK domain - it's open to LE from anywhere.
Restricting it to LE isn't meant to be divisive or anything like that
But it is. I can understand the need for a member-vetted forum but why LE only?
Out of curiosity, what is it the LE needs that other doing investigations don't also need?
I would like to see where this "need" is coming from..
It's something that comes up over again in conversation with practitioners from law enforcement. This isn't intended to replace any of the existing forensic forums - think of it like the bar at an F3 conference (or equivalent for your locale) the conversations are sometimes different on a sofa when it's just LE present to when there's a mixed crowd. It doesn't mean there are secrets or sly words being exchanged, it's just that you feel more comfortable talking to people on the same side about certain topics. And yes, I know that talking about 'sides' is divisive, but it's an adversarial system we work in and I'm sure we're all used to that. It doesn't stop us getting along together at courses and conferences, and it doesn't stop us freely exchanging knowledge and information in a variety of settings both in RL and online.
One issue that seems to be mentioned the most is that people will often feel inhibited by the fact that anything they say in a mixed forum may be thrown back at them in court, so there's sometimes a reluctance to post. Another is that it's just good to talk to people working under the same conditions as yourself sometimes
It's really, honestly, not a big deal.
So you can pick the brains of the folks in open forums, then go back to closed ranks when it suits?
Although I belongs to LE , I strongly disagree to have a seperate forum for LEs when there is forensicfocus.
BenUK has some good points, but one other point I would like to make is that a LE forum is good for looking into and asking questions about potential defense experts. While there are some great practitioners outside of law enforcement, there are also some who are simply not great. Sometimes its just nice to be able to ask about a potential defense expert you will be facing without worrying that same expert is reading the entire conversation. On the other hand, Google usually solves those issues if a person will just do a smart query. On the gripping hand, I love forensic focus and several of the other non-LE exclusive boards. There are some great examiners outside of law enforcement and I enjoy picking their brains (when they allow me to.)
Matt
PS Darren, we still need to get together sometime in the near future. Harlan, great brief at the DOD summit in St. Louis
"….it's just that you feel more comfortable talking to people on the same side…."
Just some thoughts….
There are no "sides" for as you know in the UK forensic examiners and experts are expected to be independent, objective and impartial. Our roles do not get involved in the pursuit of suspects and neither are we crusaders. We receive and obtain evidence using standards not usually practised in common business to aim to serve evidence that has not been comtaminated in some way by the time it gets to court.
To be discussing someone in a "forum" may have ramifications regarding Data Protection Act pertaining to their personal details and a knock on effect for the person with respect to their Human Rights.
If there is a problem with an expert - then complain to the Judge or the person's professional body. To create a whispering campaign against a person makes that person a victim and thus those conducting the campaign may be guilty of an equally culpable offence.
Out of curiosity, what is it the LE needs that other doing investigations don't also need?
The only area that I am aware of that is usually restricted to LE only; is primarily around Lawful Interception systems; it's uses/details and technologies. Additionally certain LE only tools such as iLook, beyond that there really is no reason other than the fact that LE is mostly working for the prosecution, whereas Forensics investigators work for either prosecution and also defense. Kind of reminiscent of HTCIA - for prosecution only. I am not LE, but work with and for LE.
Perhaps an interview with the folk that run this new forum - to help clarify this point would be a good idea for interviews?
Just a thought.
Thanks & Regards,