Personal computers and cellular phones continue to grow in popularity for use in both homes and businesses throughout the world. Likewise the use of computers and cellular phones by criminals who have discovered new ways to victimize the public has also grown. In response to this new criminal element, the Saco Police Department has created a Computer Crimes Lab to assist in the investigation of computer-related crimes and to conduct on-line investigations. The goals are to aggressively investigate on-line computer crimes, to forensically analyze computers to find evidence and to assist in educating the community on how to avoid becoming a victim in the first place.

The Saco Police Department Computer Crimes Lab is used to conduct a forensic analysis of computers and cellular phones that are suspected to contain evidence of crimes and assisting detectives in conducting investigations in which computers and or cellular phones, along with other electronic devices are involved. The lab also supports other law enforcement agencies with investigations.

Computer evidence is not limited to cases of Internet Fraud or hacking. Today it is altogether possible that evidence of just about any type of crime could be found on a computer. It isn't hard to imagine that a burglary suspect might email his friends to brag about what he had done. Or that a drug dealer might keep a record of his transactions on a computer.

The Computer Crimes Detective's, first order of business with each case, whether they are the primary investigator or are assisting another detective, is to determine if a crime has occurred, whether digital data exists and, if it does, where it might be located. The timing in these cases can be critical. Users may unintentionally destroy evidence or simply overwrite files in their normal course of business or users may also intentionally attempt to destroy or conceal evidence being kept on a digital media device upon learning of an investigation. It is necessary to move quickly when a case comes to light to preserve and collect the evidence. The Computer Crimes Detective also assists other officers with the preliminary interviews of witnesses to make sure that the proper questions are asked to identify and seize the correct digital media storage devices.

The Saco Police Department computer crimes Detective also works closely with the Maine State Police Computer Crimes Unit and other Federal Law Enforcement agencies.