In October 2011, the Culpeper County Sheriff’s Office opened a digital forensics lab as part of a public-private partnership with Terremark. To complement Sheriff’s Office resources, Terremark’s Federal Group in Culpeper, Virginia donated space and equipment to help meet the evolving investigative needs of the agency.
The lab is located on Terremark’s highly-secured campus (NAP of the Capital Region) in Culpeper. The company is a division of Verizon and provides IT infrastructure services to government agencies and private businesses.
The lab processes digital evidence from devices such as computers, cell phones, thumb drives and digital cameras.(Photo Courtesy: Culpeper Times / Adam Goings)
The ability to process digital evidence in Culpeper County will ultimately save valuable time in investigations. The majority of people, including those who commit crimes, have some contact with digital devices and the Internet in their daily lives. Some individuals may use devices, such as computers and digital cameras, to commit crimes while others may use the devices while carrying out illegal activity.
The following types of cases may include digital evidence, but the list is not exhaustive:
- Computer trespassing
- Fraud
- Child exploitation
- Missing persons
- Assaults / Homicides
- Identity Theft
- Drug-related crimes
The lab provides law enforcement with the technology and resources to properly respond to, and investigate, complaints and crimes involving digital devices in a timely and professional manner. For example, in a missing person case, the lab could process evidence to trace how someone used digital devices before their disappearance; information that could lead to their whereabouts or a prime suspect in the case.
Aux. Dep. Thomas Gregg reviews lab capabilities with the media at the facility's opening on Oct. 7, 2011.The lab is located on Terremark's highly-secured campus in Culpeper. (Photo Courtesy: Culpeper Times / Adam Goings)
Devices are seized and searched in compliance with the Code of Virginia and federal laws. The CCSO digital forensics lab is a part of the agency’s operations division.
Lab Mission Statement
Provide timely, innovative digital evidence processing for criminal investigations requiring computer forensics support consistent with all applicable laws and regulations.
Law Enforcement Services
Sheriff’s Office staff will be able to provide the following types of services for partnering law enforcement agencies:
- Consultation: pre-seizure of digital evidence
- On-site seizure and collection
- Duplication, preservation, and examination of digital evidence
- Courtroom testimony
- Training
For more information on the CCSO digital forensic lab contact:
| Contact | Phone | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Lieutenant Jason Romero |
(540) 727-7523 Ext. 305 |
Jromero@culpepercounty.gov | |
| First Sergeant Todd Durica |
(540) 727-7523 Ext. 178 |
Tdurica@culpepercounty.gov | |
| Aux. Deputy Thomas Gregg |
(540) 937-0044 | Tgregg@culpepercounty.gov | |
