ICE Opens New Boston Forensics Lab

BrocktonPost
BOSTON--U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations has announced the dedication of an expanded new state-of-the-art forensic laboratory in Boston Friday, Oct. 21.
The facility will assist federal, state, and local law enforcement authorities in New England with a wide range of forensic investigative support in cases that are often complex, and require significant examination and analysis, ICE said in a prepared statement.
"Whether it's an examination of computers in cyber crimes or fraudulent travel documents in an international human trafficking ring, this facility has the investigative keys to unlock the mysteries of crime," said Bruce M. Foucart, Homeland Security Investigations special agent in charge in New England. "This lab also illustrates our professional commitment to develop the strongest evidence possible to successfully prosecute these cases," he added.
The forensic lab will help prepare investigators as they team with other state and local investigative experts as well as prosecutors from U.S. attorney's offices in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Maine and Vermont.
Several other federal, state and local law enforcement authorities have expressed their support of efforts to strengthen investigative techniques to remain competitive with the ever-changing world of scientific technology.
"This facility, and, more importantly, the expertise of the agents who are responsible for conducting the daily examinations and analyses, enhances ICE's ability to successfully solve crime and to bring those responsible for it to justice," said Foucart.
The new forensic lab will support the work of ICE HSI special agents and other federal, state and local law enforcement authorities, including those who investigate crimes as part of the Document & Benefit Fraud Task Force in Boston, one of 18 cities in the U.S. where task forces have been established.
The lab will also support the work of its Boston-based cyber crimes group and investigations of transborder production and distribution of images of child abuse, as well as individuals who travel abroad to engage in sex with minors.
The lab employs the latest technology to collect evidence and track the activities of individuals and organized groups who sexually exploit children through the use of websites, chat rooms, newsgroups and peer-to-peer trading.
As Internet access continues to expand, the forensic lab brings the full range of ICE HSI computer and forensic assets together in a single location to combat such Internet-related crimes as:
*Possession, manufacture and distribution of images of child abuse;
*International money laundering and illegal cyber-banking;
*Illegal arms trafficking and illegal export of strategic/controlled commodities;
*Drug trafficking, including trafficking in prohibited pharmaceuticals;
*General smuggling, including trafficking in stolen art and antiquities and violations of the Endangered Species Act;
*Intellectual property rights violations, including music and software;
*Immigration violations; and
*Identity and benefit fraud.