Now essential to modern life, computers have also become increasingly important to criminals, who steal information, commit fraud, and stalk victims online. Even if a crime was not committed online, law enforcement may discover critical evidence from an offenders' digital media. For this evidence to be admissible, however, police must demonstrate proper collection and handling. In the courtroom, prosecutors must overcome the twin barriers of skepticism and lack of technical understanding. To help navigate this complex process, NIJ's technical working group of national experts prepared this special report. Chapters 1 and 2 inform crime scene investigators and other handlers about legal requirements for the handling of digital evidence. Chapters 3 and 4 provide guidelines for successful prosecution. The last chapter is a working application—using digital evidence to convict in a child pornography case. Appendixes provide useful resources and forms.

Intelligence gathering is the first line of defense against terrorism. Through use of intelligence, law enforcement and military operations can be designed to disrupt terrorist organizations and preempt their operations. Prior to September 11, 2001, most state and local law enforcement agencies viewed intelligence gathering on global terrorist groups as the purview of the federal government. Except for large cities like Los Angeles and New York, if state or local agencies gathered intelligence it tended to be on domestic subversive groups. We have since realized that some terrorist organizations have a global reach, and that state and local law enforcement officials must broaden their view.

An agroterrorism attack would dramatically impact many aspects of American life, including law enforcement, which—especially in rural areas—is financially and strategically unprepared to respond. This Research for Policy considers the effect of the introduction of foot-and-mouth disease to the American cattle industry, including the mandatory slaughter of millions of animals and an impact of up to $60 billion on the U.S. economy. The publication outlines why law enforcement is not currently ready for such a terrorist attack and offers guidance for preventing and preparing to respond to an act of agroterrorism

This NIJ Special Report is intended as a resource for individuals responsible for investigations involving the use of the Internet and other computer networks. Any crime could involve devices that communicate through the Internet or through a network. Criminals may use the Internet for numerous reasons, including trading/sharing information (e.g., documents, photographs), concealing their identity, and gathering information on victims. The report is among a series of guides on investigating electronic crime.

A U.S. military police brigade deployed in Baghdad is teaching Iraqi police about democratic principles such as tolerance in addition to law enforcement skills, the unit's commander said today. "Our fundamental role here is to support the Iraqi security forces as the Iraqi government moves forward towards securing the populace," Army Col. Michael S. Galloucis, commander of the 89th Military Police Brigade, told Pentagon reporters during a satellite-telecast news conference.

Police-Writers.com, a website dedicated to listing state and local police officers who have authored books exceeded 700 books. The site now lists 286 state and local police officers from 118 departments. The newly added authors are Rick Stone, Bill Hubbard and Kim Wozencraft.

Several years ago in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York, police officers responded to a report of youths stealing from a street vendor. When the uniformed officers arrived on the scene, the youths reacted confrontationally: “Why are you harassing me? I’m just on my way home from school. How dare you! You’re just doing this ‘cause I’m black.”

Asian Transnational Organized Crime and Its Impact on the United States reports on a study undertaken to preliminarily assess the impact of Asian transnational organized crime on the United States while, at the same time, determining high-priority areas for further research and identifying potential collaborative research partners and sources of relevant data and information in Asia. The first chapter of this monograph describes the divergent perceptions of Asian transnational organized crime held by Asian versus American interviewees, and also offers a researcher's perspective. The second chapter explains the scope and patterns of Asian organized crime. The final chapter offers the researchers' initial assessment of the impact of Asian transnational organized crime on the United States and U.S. interests.

James O. Born is a Special Agent with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. He has been involved in investigations in such areas as organized crime, violent crimes, economic crimes, drug cartels, and police corruption. He announced the February release of his latest novel, “Fields of Fire.” In Fields of Fire, ATF agent Alex Duarte returns to use all his skills to locate and stop a serial bomber. According to author Michael Connelly, "With Field of Fire James O. Born certainly comes into his own. This book is chock full of insider knowledge and experience but there is so much more than that. There is a story and a character that should put this book at the top of any reader's stack. Alex Duarte is my kind of cop. I hope he sticks around for a long, long time."