National Computer Forensics Institute
The National Computer Forensics Institute is a training institute operated by the U.S. Secret Service on the 2nd floor of the Hoover Public Safety Center at 2020 Valleydale Road in Hoover. The facility opened in Spring 2008 after $4.8 million of construction and equipment installation.
The institute offers training for investigators pursuing computer-related crimes or other crimes in which computers may provide evidence. The center's "Basic Computer Evidence Recovery Training" is a five-week hands-on course. Other classes, typically taught in five-day sessions, cover the use of computer evidence in court and are tailored for prosecutors and judges as well as investigators.
The institute was developed as a joint venture between the Alabama District Attorneys Association, the U. S. Department of Homeland Security, the Secret Service, the State of Alabama, the City of Hoover and the Shelby County Commission. Since it opened it has hosted over 500 law enforcement officials from 49 states and Guam.
References
- Walton, Val (July 2, 2009) "More than 500 law enforcement officials from 49 states have attended National Computer Forensics Institute in Hoover." The Birmingham News
- Fandos, Nicholas (July 20, 2017) "The Secret Service Calls for Backup on Its Other Job" The New York Times