Documents & Digital Evidence
The Documents and Digital Evidence Section is under the supervision of Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Dilday.
The Documents and Digital Evidence Section is under the supervision of Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Dilday. In addition to SAC Dilday, the section has five agents, two photographers, a document assistant, a graphic artist, a digital evidence technician and one support person. The Documents and Digital Evidence Section consists of four (4) different units. They are the Questioned Documents Unit, Digital Evidence Unit, Photography Unit and Graphics Unit.
Questioned Documents Unit
This unit is responsible for the scientific examination of all evidence in the form of questioned documents. Evidence is submitted for document examinations in cases such as forgery, embezzlement, homicide, suicide, larceny, kidnaping, breaking and entering, bomb threats, extortion, charred documents, etc. The majority of the cases received in the Questioned Documents Unit are white collar crimes such as forgery, fraud, false pretense and embezzlement. Violent crimes such as homicide, bomb threats, hate crimes, extortion, and sex offenses account for other types of examinations conducted in the unit.
Digital Evidence Unit
The Digital Evidence Unit was established in November of 2001. The unit receives requests to analyze evidence that is submitted in three distinct areas: Forensic Computer Analysis, Forensic Video Analysis and Forensic Audio Analysis. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation was the first agency in the world to become ASCLD-LAB accredited in Digital Evidence in December 2003. In addition, the SBI has now become an important resource for laboratories nationwide that are interested in obtaining ASCLD/LAB accreditation in the discipline of Digital Evidence.
Computer Analysis
Forensic computer analysis provides law enforcement and criminal justice agencies laboratory services for the recovery and analysis of computer digital evidence, especially as it relates to crimes involving children. Crimes against children (child pornography, sexual exploitation of a child, indecent liberties, statutory rape) account for the majority of computer submissions. Other computer cases involve homicides, conspiracy to commit murder, and identification fraud. Computers seized at crime scenes may contain vital evidence.
Video Tape Analysis
Requests are received from throughout the state for the analysis of video evidence, especially the analysis of video surveillance tapes. These tapes often document the commission of a crime and provide the only leads to the investigator. The AVID Video system makes it possible to digitize entire sections of video tape and provide the investigators with computer enhanced photographs, as well as motion video that isolates the suspect during the commission of a crime.
Audio Analysis
Forensic Audio Analysis includes the enhancement and perseveration of any audio that may have been submitted by law enforcement agencies during the commission or in the planning of a criminal offense. Often these audio recordings are muffled or otherwise unclear and must be enhanced in order to be intelligible. This enhancement is performed using state of the art computer digital enhancement techniques.
Photography Unit
The Photography Unit produces true and accurate photographs and/or exhibits of evidence. If required, photographers will respond to crime scenes or other field situations, such as aerial photography. The photographers are available to provide forensic photography and instruction in photographic techniques to the SBI, as well as other law enforcement agencies in North Carolina. The Photography Unit processes film, produces prints, enlargements and CD's for law enforcement agencies in North Carolina.
Graphics Unit
The Graphics Unit provides support to SBI agents, SBI Administration, all law enforcement agencies, other state agencies and District Attorneys throughout North Carolina. The Graphics Unit services include crime scene reconstruction sketches, court exhibits, diagrams, charts, displays, name tags, brochures, pamphlets, books, law enforcement bulletins, creation of logos, certificates, organizational charts, diplomas and special projects. The unit utilizes a specialized crime scene reconstruction software to reconstruct crime scenes. The unit has provided court exhibits for several high profile cases such as the homicide of Kathleen Peterson in Durham, North Carolina. This one trial involved approximately 141 exhibits being produced for the prosecution.