Crime Lab Casts Net Ahead of Cyber Criminals

By Judith Snyderman
Special to American Forces Press Service

Dec. 15, 2009 - Public fascination with television's "CSI" forensic detectives and with the virtual reality depicted in the "Matrix" films may be partly responsible for the high level of interest garnered by a Defense Department contest to solve cyber crimes. The Digital Forensics Challenge was created by Jim Christy, director of future exploration at the Defense Department Cyber Crime Center, better known as DC3.

"We had 1,153 teams play from 61 different countries [in this year's contest], so it was kind of amazing," Christy said in a Dec. 9 "Armed with Science: Research and Applications for the Modern Military" podcast interview.

Though contestants work on invented puzzles, researchers harvest real crime-solving tools from their efforts. Those tools can help them stay ahead of criminal activity ranging from hacking to espionage to child pornography.

Christy is a veteran in the field of solving digital crimes. In 1986, at the dawn of the digital age, he cracked his first major case.

"We had five hackers from West Germany that were working for the Soviet KGB and hacking [Defense Department] systems," he said. Christy soon realized the emergence of a new risk associated with storing information on computers instead of on discrete pieces of paper tucked away in file cabinets. "Unclassified information in aggregation can have an impact on national security," he said.

Today, he said, virtually every aspect of every crime has a digital component.

"Everybody has a PDA, everybody has a smartphone, everybody has a GPS device, and I don't know too many people who don't have a computer in their office and a computer in their house," Christy said.

Four years ago, the DC3 was receiving broken CDs from Afghanistan and Iraq. Since they didn't have the tools to recover data from the disk fragments and were short on resources, Christy started the digital challenge to cast a wide net for solutions.

"When people registered, we'd send them a broken CD knowing what was on it, and 11 teens actually came back that first year with a solution," Christy said.

This year's challenge was more difficult because entrants were not told exactly what they were looking for, said Curt Barnard, a cyber operations graduate student at the Air Force Institute of Technology. Bernard is part of a civilian cyber corps fellowship program connected to the National Science Foundation, and he's a member of the team that recently won the 2009 Digital Forensics Challenge.

"They gave us a hard-drive image and told us to look for evidence regarding a crime," Barnard said. He said it took a standard forensics tool kit plus free programs and some original computer programming scripts written by team members to complete the analysis and decipher hidden information.

DC3 ran this year's contest in partnership with the SANS Institute, a high-tech security firm, and a cyber crime group called IMPACT. Bernard and his teammates won a trip to DC3's upcoming cyber crime conference that starts Jan. 22 in St. Louis.

But the real reward may come after DC3 completes testing the investigative methods developed by a number of teams in the competition.

"Part of forensics is to be accurate, repeatable, and predictable," Christy said. "So everything has to be really documented well so that another forensic examiner can pick up your report and come to the same conclusion, with the same evidence."

DC3 shares its new discoveries and tools that are proven to work with the law-enforcement and digital-forensics communities. After more than two decades solving cyber crime, Christy said, he's learned never to become complacent.

"If you don't like change, you don't want to be in this environment," he said. "You always have to strive to look at the next threat that's coming down the pike -- what is the next vulnerability that's coming down the pike, and how do we address it? Because, unfortunately, we don't solve cases like they do on television, in 15 minutes."

(Judith Snyderman works in the Defense Media Activity's emerging media directorate.)

Treasury Designates Sinaloa Cartel Members Under the Kingpin Act

The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) today designated two Mexican nationals and one Colombian national as Specially Designated Narcotics Traffickers (SDNTs) for providing material support to the drug trafficking activities of the Sinaloa Cartel. OFAC also today designated two Mexican companies and two Colombian companies as SDNTs. Today's action, pursuant to the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act (Kingpin Act), prohibits U.S. persons from conducting financial or commercial transactions with these entities and individuals and freezes any assets the designees may have under U.S. jurisdiction.

The Sinaloa Cartel, a powerful and violent Mexican drug trafficking organization identified by the President pursuant to the Kingpin Act in April 2009, is led by Joaquin Guzman Loera (a.k.a. "El Chapo"), Ismael Zambada Garcia (a.k.a. "El Mayo"), and Ignacio Coronel Villareal (a.k.a. "Nacho"), all previously identified by the President as Significant Foreign Narcotics Traffickers pursuant to the Kingpin Act.

"Today's action builds on the President's identification of the Sinaloa Cartel in April and OFAC's commitment to working with our partners in Mexico to disrupt and deter the illicit activities of this dangerous organization," said OFAC Director Adam J. Szubin. "We will continue to aggressively track and expose those who support the Sinaloa Cartel in Mexico, Colombia and elsewhere."

Mexican nationals Agustin Reyes Garza (a.k.a. "Don Pilo") and Hector Contreras Novoa were designated today due to their material support to the drug trafficking activities of the Sinaloa Cartel. Reyes Garza, a fugitive from Honduran drug trafficking charges, owns or controls two businesses identified in today's action, Estetic Carr de Occidente S.A. de C.V. and Estetica Car Wash S.A. de C.V., located in Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico. Contreras Novoa was indicted in 2005 on cocaine conspiracy charges filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Both individuals operate from Guadalajara, Mexico.

Colombian national Nestor Alonso Tarazona Enciso was designated today due to his material support to the drug trafficking activities of the Sinaloa Cartel. Tarazona Enciso owns or controls Agropecuaria La Cruz S.A. and Criadero Las Cabanas Ltda., two livestock companies registered in Bogota, Colombia that were also designated today. Tarazona Enciso was convicted on federal cocaine trafficking charges and served a prison sentence in the United States. After completing his sentence in 1995 and returning to Colombia, Tarazona Enciso once again became involved in drug trafficking activities. He operates from San Martin, Meta, Colombia.

This action is part of ongoing efforts under the Kingpin Act to apply financial measures against significant foreign narcotics traffickers worldwide. Internationally, more than 500 businesses and individuals associated with 82 drug kingpins have been designated pursuant to the Kingpin Act since June 2000, 37 of which are based in Mexico. Penalties for violations of the Kingpin Act range from civil penalties of up to $1.075 million per violation to more severe criminal penalties. Criminal penalties for corporate officers may include up to 30 years in prison and fines up to $5 million. Criminal fines for corporations may reach $10 million. Other individuals face up to 10 years in prison and fines pursuant to Title 18 of the United States Code for criminal violations of the Kingpin Act

Border Patrol Seizes More than 15,000 Pounds of Marijuana in Single Day

December 11, 2009: The U.S. Border Patrol of the Rio Grande Valley Sector seized 15,662 pounds of marijuana in multiple unrelated seizures throughout South Texas in a 24-hour period.

These seizures took place at the checkpoints as well as stations along the Rio Grande. The seizures ranged in quantity from 775 pounds to more than 5,000 pounds. All narcotics and suspects were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration for further investigation.

To report suspicious activity, contact the Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol Sector’s toll-free telephone number at 800-863-9382.

Border Patrol Agent's Instinct Leads to Marijuana Seizure

December 11, 2009: Border Patrol agents arrested a U.S. citizen attempting to smuggle marijuana through the immigration checkpoint on Interstate 8 late Tuesday evening.

At about 5:30 p.m., agents assigned to the Interstate 8 checkpoint near Dateland encountered a 1998 Ford sport utility vehicle driven by a young male.

As the driver pulled up to the checkpoint’s primary inspection lane, agents noticed that the driver was acting in a manner inconsistent with normal traffic. After observing several suspicious behaviors, agents referred the driver and vehicle to secondary inspection.

Once in secondary inspection, a K-9 team performed a cursory inspection of the vehicle. The inspection produced an alert by the K-9 team indicating the possibility of hidden persons or contraband located within the vehicle. The K-9 team led agents to the spare tire located underneath the SUV. Agents inspected the spare tire and noticed that the tire was too small to support the large SUV.

A closer examination of the tire by agents revealed seven plastic-wrapped bundles of marijuana. Agents arrested the 19-year-old driver and seized 26.9 pounds of marijuana with an estimated street value of $21,520. Border Patrol agents turned the driver and marijuana over to the Yuma County Narcotics Task Force.

The Border Patrol’s strategy to secure U.S. borders is based on a “defense in depth” philosophy. This includes the use of interior checkpoints to interdict terrorists, illegal narcotics and illegal aliens attempting to egress away from the border area into the interior portions of our country. Border Patrol immigration checkpoints are within the constraints of the Constitution and have been upheld numerous times by the U.S. Supreme Court. Immigration checkpoints are a valuable tool to secure our borders and have helped agents across the country stop dangerous smugglers of humans and narcotics.

Border Patrol Halts 500 Pounds of Marijuana at Checkpoint

December 10, 2009: Border Patrol agents from the Indio, Calif. station working the Highway 111 checkpoint seized approximately 500 pounds of marijuana with an estimated value of more than $400,000. A truck entered the Highway 111 checkpoint on Wednesday for inspection. During the inspection, a Border Patrol canine team alerted to the cargo box of the truck and the vehicle and was referred for further inspection.

A physical search of the cargo area revealed a discrepancy between the front interior and exterior walls. Indio Station agents discovered approximately 80 bundles of marijuana within a non-factory compartment. The marijuana weighs approximately 500 pounds and has an estimated value of more than $400,000. The driver, the vehicle and marijuana were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

National Youth Gang Survey Analysis

Since 1996, the National Youth Gang Center (NYGC) has conducted an annual survey of law enforcement agencies to assess the extent of gang problems by measuring the presence, characteristics, and behaviors of local gangs in jurisdictions throughout the United States. The National Youth Gang Survey (NYGS) is based on a nationally representative sample of law enforcement agencies serving larger cities, suburban counties, smaller cities, and rural counties. This Web resource contains analysis and findings from the ongoing National Youth Gang Surveys. Numerous charts and descriptions are provided as a resource for understanding gang problems.

http://www.nationalgangcenter.gov/Survey-Analysis

Attention to Duty: What Separates the Good Cops from the Status Quo

By Andrew G. Hawkes

Yesterday I was reminded one thing. That no matter how routine you think this job is on a daily basis you just can’t think that way. I’m a sergeant, with seniority, so with that seniority comes my pick of the day, evening, or graveyard shifts. After nearly 20 years on the job I’m taking the day shift, thank you very much. But with the day shift comes supervising mostly veteran cops. Veteran cops that have seen a lot, been through a lot, and quite frankly want to do very little.

Read On
http://www.police-writers.com/articles/attention_to_duty.html

Unconventional Delivery of Deadly Force in a Correctional Facility

By Tracy E. Barnhart & Gary T. Klugiewicz

We wanted to write an article on a topic that you might have thought that you never would read about in print. This article is going to discuss how and when to use deadly force in a correctional facility and most importantly how to defend your actions. Since most corrections officers are not trained or equipped with weapons designed to deliver deadly force the techniques we are going to discuss will need to be unconventional. The following information is the kind of stuff we talk about before roll call when we hear about an assault on an officer from the previous shift. This type of violent assault against a corrections officer could happen anywhere. It could even happen in your facility. These life threatening assaults could happen to a friend or someone who you went to the academy with or it could happen to you. Hopefully it’s doesn’t end up like the incident referenced below with an officer being killed.

READ ON
http://www.police-writers.com/articles/unconvential_delivery_deadly_force.html

My Supervisor is an Idiot

There are plenty of books and articles on being a good leader and being a good follower. Indeed, excellent followership starts with leadership. Moreover, there are a lot of good books because there a lot of people who need leadership training and mentoring. But, what do you do when your supervisor is an idiot? Here are ten tips:

www.pokerleadership.com/supervisor_idiot.html

CBP Officers Seize $1.4 Million Worth of Cocaine

Thursday, December 10, 2009: U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers enforcement efforts resulted in the seizure of more than 55 pounds of Cocaine and the arrest of a 40-year-old man just yesterday. On December 9, CBP officers while processing travelers and conducting routine inspections encountered the U.S. citizen and escorted him to the secondary lot for further inspection. During the inspection process cocaine packages were found inside the gas tank of the Isuzu Rodeo he was driving after it was x-rayed and weighed more than 55 pounds. The man was immediately arrested and turned over to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement for further investigation.

New CBP San Ysidro Port Director Sworn in During Change of Command Ceremony

Will Oversee all Passenger Processing Operations at San Ysidro, Otay Mesa Ports of Entry

Wednesday, December 09, 2009: Christopher D. Maston, a career federal law enforcement officer with more than 24 years experience managing the processing of international travelers and trade, was formally sworn into office this morning as U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s new port director at the busy San Ysidro and Otay Mesa passenger ports of entry.

Maston, 45, succeeds interim Port Director David J. Murphy, who has filled the position for the past six weeks while a replacement was found for long time Port Director Oscar Preciado. Preciado recently assumed a new role as a liaison to the U.S. Government Services Administration during the port’s upcoming $577 million reconstruction project.

Maston was formally posted to his new position during a well attended change of command ceremony at the San Ysidro facility on Wednesday morning. Family, law enforcement colleagues from local, state and federal agencies, and area dignitaries watched Maston recite the oath of office during the 45-minute ceremony inside a port building.

He is the second CBP executive in San Diego to participate in a formal change of command ceremony, following a similar ceremony in June for Paul M. Morris, CBP’s Field Operations director in San Diego. CBP Field Operations recently adopted formal change of command ceremonies as one way to unify the workforce and highlight the agency mission.

Maston brings to the key San Diego position in-depth experience in overseeing large scale passenger and cargo processing programs. He most recently served more than two years as port director at the Miami international airport, managing more than 1,300 employees at the largest international operation in the U.S. for air cargo and the second largest for international traveler processing.

Maston’s recent responsibilities overseeing international traveler inspections, trade enforcement and tactical enforcement operations will provide the tools he needs to manage the busy 24-lane port of San Ysidro and nearby 13-lane Otay Mesa border station where, on average, 63,000 vehicles and 134,000 travelers enter the U.S. each day, CBP DFO Morris said.

Maston served from 2004 to 2006 as the assistant director of border security at CBP’s Miami Field Office. In this position, he oversaw border security operations for the Miami, Port Everglades, Key West and West Palm Beach ports of entry.

He began his federal career in 1985 as a Border Patrol agent in El Paso, Texas, later became a U.S. Customs Service inspector at the Calexico port of entry and served in progressively more responsible positions over the past two decades.

While mindful of the agency’s important border security mission, Maston said he will continue to support operations that have proved successful for the field office while striking a working balance between facilitation of legitimate travelers and the need for strong enforcement.

The CBP San Diego Field Office manages the work of more than 1,800 front-line federal officers at border stations in San Ysidro, Otay Mesa, Tecate, Calexico, and Andrade as well as the federal inspection stations at the San Diego seaport and international airports. The ports performed almost 66 million inspections of people, seized more than 145 tons of illegal narcotics and apprehended more than 42,000 immigration violators during the last fiscal year.

Secretary Napolitano Unveils “Virtual USA” Information-Sharing Initiative

December 9, 2009: Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano today officially launched Virtual USA, an innovative information-sharing initiative—developed in collaboration with the emergency response community and state and local governments across the nation—that helps federal, state, local and tribal first responders communicate during emergencies.

“Our first responders need interoperable tools to make accurate and timely decisions during emergencies,” said Secretary Napolitano. “Virtual USA makes it possible for new and existing technologies to work together seamlessly during disaster response and recovery and gives the public an opportunity to contribute information in real-time to support the efforts of police officers, firefighters and other emergency management officials.”

The announcement came as part of the White House Open Government Initiative and reflects President Obama and Secretary Napolitano’s shared commitment to making government more efficient and fostering a culture of transparency, participation and collaboration.

Virtual USA links disparate tools and technologies in order to share the location and status of critical assets and information—such as power and water lines, flood detectors, helicopter-capable landing sites, emergency vehicle and ambulance locations, weather and traffic conditions, evacuation routes, and school and government building floor plans—across federal, state, local and tribal governments.

Virtual USA:
• Integrates Existing Frameworks and Investments: Virtual USA utilizes current information-sharing platforms to permit new and existing technologies to seamlessly exchange information with one another.
• Draws on Local Input: Virtual USA is based on the needs of local and state first responders to manage data access within their own jurisdictions and to share information with relevant jurisdictions across the nation.
• Employs a Comprehensive Approach: Virtual USA is not limited to information exchanges between two agencies; instead, the initiative fosters dynamic information sharing among all federal, state, local and tribal practitioners.
• Provides a Flexible, Accessible Platform: Because Virtual USA uses open data standards and open source software, more states and localities can join this information exchange project.
• Involves Everyone: Virtual USA allows Americans in their own communities to contribute information—in real-time—to support the efforts of police, fire and emergency management officials during disasters and recovery efforts.

Developed by the DHS Science and Technology Directorate (S&T), Virtual USA currently operates as a pilot in eight states—Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, Virginia and Tennessee—with plans to incorporate additional states underway. In Virginia alone, Virtual USA has reduced response times to incidents involving hazardous materials by 70 percent.

For more information, visit www.dhs.gov.

Halfway House Escapee Also Wanted for Possession of Tailgate, Tires Concealing Marijuana Don’t Get Past Brownsville CBP Officers

December 09, 2009: U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Veteran’s International Bridge discovered marijuana hidden in the tailgate of a pickup and concealed in four tires mounted on the truck and within the spare tire; one female U.S. citizen was arrested.

On Monday, December 7, at the Veteran’s International Bridge, CBP officers working primary operations encountered a white 1995 Dodge Dakota driven by 22-year-old Elizabeth Naomi Almazan, a U.S. citizen and resident of Brownsville, Texas. A CBP officer’s primary inspection revealed inconsistencies in the tires of the Dakota. The primary CBP officer referred the Dodge to secondary for an intensified examination.

“Vice,” a narcotic detector dog, further substantiated officers’ suspicions and alerted to the odor of narcotics emanating from the tailgate and tires of the pickup. In secondary, a non-intrusive imaging system scan indicated anomalies within the suspected areas of the Dodge. CBP officers dismantled the tailgate and tires and removed 33 packages from the tailgate and man-made compartments within the tires of the Dakota. The 33 packages contained a total of more than 107 pounds of marijuana.

The marijuana from this seizure has an estimated street value of more than $107,000. CBP officers arrested Elizabeth Naomi Almazan and turned her over to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement special agents who investigated the seizure and processed her on federal drug charges.

“CBP officers working primary continue to stop smuggling attempts at the border. Our officers used their training and tools to prevent these dangerous drugs form entering the country. The interception of this load of marijuana is another great example of the outstanding job our officers are doing,” said Michael Freeman, CBP port director, Brownsville.

$1 Million Worth of Marijuana Seized by Agents at Strategically Placed Camp Grip

December 09, 2009: For the fourth time in a week, U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to work out of Camp Grip prevented backpackers from smuggling drugs through a desolate area of southwest Arizona.

Early Tuesday morning, agents detected the illegal entry of six individuals about 30 miles west of the Lukeville. While tracking the set footprints across the desert, Border Patrol agents located six abandoned makeshift backpacks of marijuana along the groups’ path. Agents secured the contraband and continued tracking the group. The group of suspected smugglers doubled back and returned to Mexico.

Agents seized 286 pounds of marijuana with an estimated street value of $229,200. The marijuana was turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration. Tuesday’s seizure brings the total amount of marijuana seized since Thursday to 1,371 pounds with an estimate street value of $1,096,800.

Camp Grip is Yuma Sector’s tactically deployed forward operating base that is designed to maintain operational control of the seam between the Yuma and Tucson Sectors. The success of Camp Grip demonstrates the Border Patrol’s ability to mobilize its enforcement stance along the southwest border where needed. These bases act as a deterrent and an additional detection platform, ensuring that smuggling organizations understand that if they operate in these areas, they will be pursued and apprehended.

The Sixth Session

The following is a review of The Sixth Session, written by Lieutenant Joe Hefferon, Essex County Sheriff’s Office:

ForeWord Clarion Review Four Stars (out of Five)
By Elizabeth A. Allen

The most hardened investigators are disturbed when they come across the corpse of a child; they’re even more disturbed when they find out it’s a baby who is partially dismembered. This gruesome specter starts off Joe Hefferon’s Sixth Session, a mystery with supernatural inflections, and continues to haunt it till the last page.

Hefferon currently works as a lieutenant in the Essex County Sheriff’s office in New York State. The Sixth Session is his first novel; he is currently working on a second, due out in 2010. Having been a police officer for over two decades, Hefferon states that his experience in law enforcement informs his fiction.

One hopes, though, that the author has never had an experience like that of his protagonist, reporter Carter Jackson, who comes across the aforementioned tiny body near a Chinese restaurant. Because he is still deep in mourning for his dead wife (who visits him occasionally with amusingly foul-mouthed greetings), Carter feels a personal drive to involve himself in the murder case headed up by his brother, police officer Dalton Jackson. Carter’s quest for justice becomes downright weird, however, when a psychic tells him what’s really going on: a recapitulation of Herod’s killing of firstborns in an effort to erase the Messiah.

The mythological elements seep slowly into The Sixth Session, however. At first the novel grounds itself in the shadowy world of noir detective stories. The weather’s
always grey; the nights are always seamy; Carter’s grief hangs ponderously over him; and even such innocuous things as tropical scents are described in a macabre fashion: “The light rode along a vapor of incense. It smelled acrid and fruity, like a piña colada with a burnt finger in it.” Walking a fine line between grittiness and overdoneness, The Sixth Session, for the most part, pulls off a richly detailed, slightly hallucinatory atmosphere.

Besides strong writing, The Sixth Session also boasts affecting characters and masterful pacing. As a main character, Carter is drowning in sadness enough to be sympathetic, but not so much as to be a pathetic stick-in-the-mud. His thoughts of his dead wife flesh out both his personality and hers, while moving quickly enough that they don’t bog down the story.

The book’s pace is neat and quick, with scenes only as long as they need to be, and the dialogue is snarky and to-the-point. Hefferon, who seems familiar with classic detective stories, synthesizes the noir genre’s rapid timing with a penchant for earthiness pushed to the point of nastiness. The result is a mystery that, in its best moments has shades of supernatural horror. The book is an exceptional first effort.

About the Author
Lieutenant Joe Hefferon of the Essex County Sheriff’s Office is a 22 yeaer veteran of law enforcement who is currently assigned to the office of the chief. He “has been a police officer for more than twenty-two years. His experiences have given him access to the scarier hallways of the human psyche, helping to layer his narrative with poignancy, grit, and dark humor. Joe is the proud parent of two beautiful children, Jack and Kaitlin.” Lieutenant Joe Hefferon is the author of The Sixth Session.

More Information about the book:
Joe Hefferon

CBP Officers at Hidalgo/Reynosa International Bridge Seize $1.9 Million in Cocaine

December 08, 2009: U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the Hidalgo/Reynosa International Bridge seized approximately 60 pounds of cocaine with an estimated street value of close to $1.9 million last Friday afternoon.

On December 4, CBP officers and K-9 units working enforcement operations at the Hidalgo/Reynosa International Bridge came in contact with a northbound 1992 Chevrolet pick-up truck. The driver was identified as Luis Carlos Luna Romo, a Mexican citizen, age 18 from Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico. While in secondary, “Laika”, a narcotic detector dog, alerted officers to the presence of narcotic odors emanating from the truck.

A non-intrusive image scan revealed anomalies within the truck’s interior rear cab wall. While conducting an intensive examination of the pickup truck, officers removed 25 cocaine packages that were found hidden within the truck. After his arrest, Luna Romo was transferred to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement special agents who continue to investigate this failed smuggling attempt. Pending appearance before a U.S. Magistrate, Luna Romo remains incarcerated.

Hector A. Mancha, CBP port director, Hidalgo/Pharr said, “I commend our K-9 units and officers for their work in seizing this drug load.” Mancha further said, “K-9 Laika was instrumental in alerting officers to the presence of drug odors. Great work by all involved.”

Age Determination Practices for Unaccompanied Alien Children in ICE Custody

The Department of Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement enforces United States immigration law by apprehending, detaining, and deporting individuals who are not authorized to remain in the country. Children are sometimes among those encountered, and the Department of Homeland Security must ensure that they are not detained with unrelated adults.

To separate unaccompanied children from detained adults, the Department of Homeland Security attempts to establish the date of birth of anyone it cannot readily identify as an adult or child. Immigration officials collect information on possible juveniles to ascertain their correct ages. Information may include professional opinions based on dental or skeletal radiographs. However, the use of radiographs to determine chronological age—age from a person’s date of birth—has been criticized by some in the medical and advocacy communities as unreliable.

We reviewed Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s approach to age determinations at the request of the House Appropriations Committee. In House Report 110-862, the committee said that the department had “not ceased its reliance on bone and dental forensics for child age determinations, as directed” in a previous report. In its request, the committee asked us to report on any cases in which Immigration and Customs Enforcement used bone and dental forensics in 2008 or 2009.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement does not track age determination data; therefore, we were unable to identify all cases where it used radiographs for age determinations. Based on interviews with officials, and our review of selected files and guidance, we concluded that Immigration and Customs Enforcement recognizes the limits of radiographs and strives to obtain additional information when making age determinations. We are making recommendations to track age determination data better, update guidance for field offices, and ensure that radiographic exam results include all required information and are properly documented.

MORE INFORMATION
http://www.dhs.gov/xoig/assets/mgmtrpts/OIG_10-12_Nov09.pdf

Hidden Compartments Don’t Stop CBP Officer in San Luis

Close to $700K in Narcotics Seized

December 07, 2009: San Luis, Ariz. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers arrest 39-year-old man for attempting to smuggle both cocaine and Methamphetamine with a street value of $686,912.00 into the United States.

On December 6, CBP officers encountered the 39-year-old man when he applied for entry into the U.S. driving a 2004 Chevy Malibu. The primary officers noticed the man’s nervous demeanor and escorted him to the secondary lot for an intensive inspection.

During the inspection, non-factory compartments were discovered with more than nine pounds of cocaine and more than six pounds of Methamphetamine by the officers after the canine detector dog alerted them to the area.

The man was immediately arrested and turned over to the Department of Public Safety for further investigation.

Online Discussion Examining Correlations Between Substance Abuse and Victimization

December 8, 2009—Join an Online Discussion

Today, at 2 p.m. (eastern time), the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) will present a Web Forum discussion with Steven Walker, Ph.D., on examining correlations between substance abuse and victimization. Dr. Walker is Associate Dean of the College of Social Sciences at California State University, Fresno, where he previously served as chair of the Criminology Department. As a licensed clinical psychologist and an educator, he has 25 years of experience developing victim service education programs and has conducted numerous workshops on alcohol and drug treatment, victim services, and victim service education standards. Dr. Walker has directed several drug treatment programs, including the Comprehensive Alcohol Program of Fresno, California; and was a consultant for the Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Program at Lemoore Naval Air Station, among other organizations.

Visit the OVC Web Forum now to submit questions for Dr. Walker and return at 2 p.m. (eastern time) for the live discussion. Learn how to participate beforehand so you are ready for the discussion.

More Information
http://ovc.ncjrs.gov/ovcproviderforum/index.asp

Forensic Science in Homicide Investigations

On December 17, 2009, Conversations with American Heroes at the Watering Hole will feature a discussion with Vernon J. Geberth, NYPD (ret.) on Forensic Science in Homicide Investigations.

Program Date: December 17, 2009
Program Time: 1700 hours, Pacific
Topic: Forensic Science in Homicide Investigations
Listen Live: www.americanheroesradio.com/forensic_science_homicide_investigations.html

About the Guest
Vernon Geberth is a retired lieutenant-commander of the New York Police Department. As the commanding officer of the Bronx Homicide Task Force, his investigators handled more than four hundred murder investigations every year. Vernon Geberth is recipient of over sixty awards for bravery and exceptional work during twenty-three years of service. He has personally investigated, supervised, assessed, researched and consulted on over eight thousand homicides.

Vernon Geberth has master's degrees in both psychology and professional studies, is a graduate of the FBI's National Academy. Over the past twenty-five years, he has taught over 50,000 police officers his comprehensive course in Practical Homicide Investigation.

Geberth’s book, Practical Homicide Investigation has been referred to as the "Bible of Homicide." His subsequent works, “The Practical Homicide Investigation Checklist and Field Guide” and “Sex-Related Homicide and Death Investigation: Practical and Clinical Perspectives,” demonstrate his professional ability and subject matter expert command over homicide investigations. In addition to his own works Geberth has been an editor in over forty other textbooks. He has devoted his life to the study of murder and was the first law enforcement professional to devise standard guidelines and protocols for proficient death inquiries. Currently he is president of P.H.I. Investigative Consultants, Inc., a New York-based corporation that provides state-of-the-art instruction and consultation regarding homicide investigations to police officers.

About the Watering Hole
The Watering Hole is Police slang for a location cops go off-duty to blow off steam and talk about work and life. American Heroes Radio brings you to the watering hole, where it is Sometimes funny; sometimes serious; but, always interesting.

About the Host
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster was a sworn member of the Los Angeles Police Department for 24 years. He retired in 2003 at the rank of Lieutenant. He holds a bachelor’s from the Union Institute and University in Criminal Justice Management and a Master’s Degree in Public Financial Management from California State University, Fullerton; and, has completed his doctoral course work. Raymond E. Foster has been a part-time lecturer at California State University, Fullerton and Fresno; and is currently a Criminal Justice Department chair, faculty advisor and lecturer with the Union Institute and University. He has experience teaching upper division courses in Law Enforcement, public policy, Public Safety Technology and leadership. Raymond is an experienced author who has published numerous articles in a wide range of venues including magazines such as Government Technology, Mobile Government, Airborne Law Enforcement Magazine, and Police One. He has appeared on the History Channel and radio programs in the United States and Europe as subject matter expert in technological applications in Law Enforcement.

Listen, call, join us at the Watering Hole:
www.americanheroesradio.com/forensic_science_homicide_investigations.html

Program Contact Information
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster, LAPD (ret.), MPA
editor@police-writers.com
909.599.7530

States Send Clear Message to Would-Be Drunk Drivers: OVER THE LIMIT. UNDER ARREST

WASHINGTON, DC -- Today, the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) joined the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Office of National Drug Control Policy and law enforcement to launch an extensive national drunk driving crackdown to be held December 16 - January 3.

GHSA Executive Board Member John Saunders reported, "From Coast to Coast, highway safety agencies will be conducting a period of increased law enforcement presence on the roadways to prevent the needless tragedies associated with drunk driving. The federal and state governments are also purchasing paid advertising to deter drunk drivers and remind the public about the enhanced enforcement presence on the roadways." Saunders noted that numerous states are utilizing various new media approaches such as Twitter to share the safe driving message. In addition, Colorado is debuting a new iPhone application to help citizens estimate Blood Alcohol Content level, while the state of Washington is sharing its enforcement message in online gaming ads on XBox 360 Live.
A sampling of state crackdown activities is posted below. For additional states, visit www.ghsa.org/html/projects/OTLUA/holiday09.html.

California -- California has planned an extensive enforcement and public awareness effort. On the enforcement side, the state is kicking off its "The Year of the Checkpoint," with over 300 checkpoints involving over 200 police departments, multi-agency task forces and the California Highway Patrol during the three week holiday mobilization alone. Saturation patrols and other special operations are also taking place throughout the state. On the public awareness side, the state is coordinating a campaign that includes: dozens of billboards in major markets; radio and TV public service announcements; gas pump toppers; taxi toppers; mall and airport kiosks; and partnerships with over 1,500 7-Eleven stores, independent mini-markets, and a 150 store supermarket chain providing employee messaging buttons, cooler clings, ice freezer wraps, floor graphics and check-out tip sheets. In addition, multiple state agencies and over 200 local law enforcement agencies are generating earned media through various outreach efforts.

Colorado -- The Colorado State Patrol and 50 law enforcement agencies across the state are conducting impaired driving enforcement through January 4. The Colorado DOT kicked off the crackdown with the debut of an iPhone application that estimates BAC levels. The "R-U-Buzzed" app can be downloaded free at Apple's App Store for those with iPhones or touch screen iPods. CDOT is also encouraging holiday partygoers to plan ahead if they will be drinking alcohol by visiting a special website, www.PlanAheadColorado.com. This site gives people tools and information to help them enjoy the holidays responsibly, including: a list of bars and restaurants partnering with the state to distribute free cab vouchers, a list of hotels offering a discounted rate, overnight parking options, and public transportation alternatives such as free bus and light rail rides on New Year's Eve.

Georgia -- Hundreds of Georgia traffic safety officers are busy planning for the campaign to keep families safe on the highways over the Christmas and New Year's holiday travel period. Activities include high visibility DUI road checks and concentrated patrols during Georgia's Operation Zero Tolerance (OZT). The highway safety office is coupling its holiday OZT message with a public information campaign about the state's new Super Speeder Law to further improve the driving behavior of high-risk drivers. A large kickoff news conference will be held in Savannah followed by similar news conferences across the state.

North Carolina -- The North Carolina Governor's Highway Safety Program is conducting its holiday Booze It & Lose It campaign December 4 through January 3. During this time, state and local law enforcement officers will be participating in stepped up checkpoints and patrols. The "Tree of Life" ceremony and candlelight vigil are being held December 4 and will serve as the state's media event to kick off the mobilization. The "Tree of Life" is dedicated to the 1,453 lives lost in traffic crashes in 2008 on North Carolina roads, and the candlelight vigil remembers the 440 lives lost as a result of drinking and driving. The "Tree of Life" remains on display at the State Capitol through Jan. 4.

Washington -- The Washington Traffic Safety Commission has launched a $800,000 campaign to support high visibility DUI enforcement throughout the year, including during the holidays, over St. Patrick's Day, during a summer kick off and around the 4th of July. The campaign includes highly visible saturation patrols conducted by more than 140 law enforcement agencies; as well as a $400,000 media promotion. Paid media features TV and radio buys, illuminated posters, billboards, gas pump toppers, and advertising on dartboards in bars, as well as online gaming ads on XBox 360 Live. Earned media campaigns alerting drivers to the increased DUI enforcement are conducted at the county level by the Target Zero Traffic Safety Task Forces.

The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA)® is a nonprofit association representing the highway safety offices of states, territories, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. GHSA provides leadership and representation for the states and territories to improve traffic safety, influence national policy and enhance program management. Its members are appointed by their Governors to administer federal and state highway safety funds and implement state highway safety plans. Contact GHSA at 202-789-0942 or visit www.ghsa.org.

CBP Stops Boat off Calif. Coast with 22 Illegal Immigrants

December 02, 2009:

San Diego - U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents stopped a boat with 22 illegal immigrants attempting to flee from law enforcement officials Wednesday off the coast of San Diego.

On December 2, at about 2:30 a.m., the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Sea Otter spotted a suspicious 25-foot blue and white panga boat about 8 miles west of Leucadia, Calif., and called it in to CBP for assistance when the boat began fleeing southward. On board the panga, CBP agents found 22 persons – 21 men and one woman – all wearing personal flotation devices. All are Mexican citizens in the United States illegally.

Agents took the boat’s driver into custody, and turned him over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The remaining illegal immigrants were turned over to U.S. Border Patrol for processing.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

CBP Seizes Thousands of Counterfeit Jeep Toys, Barbie Dolls

December 03, 2009: U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at San Diego area ports of entry in recent weeks have seized thousands of fake toys worth more than $1.6 million entering the U.S. in commercial shipments. CBP is charged with enforcing trade laws and devotes substantial resources to target, intercept, detain, seize and forfeit shipments of goods that violate these laws.

On November 16, CBP officers at the sea port of San Diego inspected a shipment manifested as assorted toys and found counterfeit Barbie dolls in 25 of the 350 boxes on the manifest. CBP seized 600 dolls with a domestic value of $2,975 and a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price of $23,994. The confiscated dolls were of poor quality and lacked license information.

The seizure followed an earlier discovery on October 21 when seaport-based CBP officers encountered a container also manifested as assorted toys. Officers offloaded the container and discovered 20 of 463 boxes contained counterfeit Barbie dolls. The 20 boxes contained a total of 1,920 counterfeit Barbie dolls that were of poor quality and lacked license information. The seized dolls have a domestic value of $2,723 and an MSRP of $34,502.

On October 29, CBP officers at the Otay Mesa cargo port of entry found discrepancies as they inspected four cargo containers manifested as “toys” entering the U.S. from Mexico.

In each container, officers found 262 battery-operated vehicles designed for children to ride in and operate. The Jeep trademark, which had been recorded with CBP, was found on the counterfeit goods, leading to their seizure.


The next day, CBP officers at the Otay Mesa facility inspected an additional eight containers manifested specifically as “Jeep Toys.” The containers, each of which also held 262 toys, were seized.

The 3,100 seized Jeep toys have a domestic value of over $554,000 and a MSRP totaling $1,571,964 and the 2,520 counterfeit Barbie dolls have an MSRP of $58,496.

“U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s mission includes protecting the intellectual property rights of legitimate businesses,” said Rosa Hernandez, port director at the Otay Mesa cargo facility.

CBP officers and import specialists aggressively work together to intercept shipments containing counterfeit and pirated items. In fiscal year 2008, CBP and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement together seized more than $272.7 million worth of counterfeit items nationwide.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

From the Academy to Retirement: A Journey Through the Policing Lifecycle

A part of NIJ's "Research in the Real World" Series

Friday, December 11, 2009
10:00 am–11:30 am (Eastern Time)
Office of Justice Programs, 3rd Floor Ballroom
810 7th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20531

Have you wondered how we can do a better job of recruiting and training law enforcement officers and what makes officers choose to leave or stay through retirement? If so, please join us to learn about an NIJ-funded project on the policing lifecycle.

Hear what Dennis Rosenbaum and his team are doing to help improve officer health, productivity and attitudes; increase effectiveness of police training programs and supervisory methods; improve leadership development; and establish standardized and widely accepted definitions and benchmarks for good policing.

Whether you are a policymaker, decision-maker or an officer in the field, if you are interested in policing, this event is for you.

The seminar is free, but you must RSVP to gain access to the OJP building. Allow 20 minutes to go through security.

Presenters:
Dr. Dennis Rosenbaum, Professor, University of Illinois at Chicago
Dr. Gary Cordner, Professor, Kutztown University
Dr. Lorie Fridell, Associate Professor, University of South Florida
Dr. Stephen Mastrofski, Professor, George Mason University
Dr. Jack McDevitt, Associate Dean, Northeastern University
Dr. Amie Schuck, Associate Professor, University of Illinois at Chicago
Dr. Ellen Scrivner, Deputy Director of NIJ will moderate the discussion.

Know someone who might want to attend? For more information about this event or to RSVP, please contact Yolanda Curtis at 202-305-2554 or Yolanda.Curtis@usdoj.gov.

State Highway Safety Association Praises NHTSA Nominee David Strickland Will Help Lead Nation Toward Zero Deaths

Statement for Attribution to Barbara Harsha, Executive Director of the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA)

The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) applauds President Obama's selection of David Strickland to lead the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

As a longtime staff member of the Senate Commerce Committee, Mr. Strickland is extremely familiar with the behavioral highway safety programs administered by GHSA members. In fact, he was a major contributor to the safety portions of the current highway authorization bill known as the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient, Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU).

Over the years, Mr. Strickland has met with the GHSA leadership and Executive Board numerous times. He is extremely knowledgeable and focused on how to reduce highway deaths and injuries and has always been cognizant of the key role states play in achieving highway safety progress.

Earlier this year, GHSA announced our ambitious "Toward Zero Deaths: Every Life Counts" (www.ghsa.org/html/TZD/) initiative to end traffic fatalities. To achieve such an aggressive goal, effective national leadership is needed from the White House and NHTSA. Mr. Strickland's strong safety background, coupled with his firsthand knowledge of how to effectively work with Congress and the states, will greatly accelerate the advancement toward this goal.

I urge the Senate to quickly confirm David Strickland's nomination, and I look forward to continuing our excellent working relationship.

The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA)® is a nonprofit association representing the highway safety offices of states, territories, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. GHSA provides leadership and representation for the states and territories to improve traffic safety, influence national policy and enhance program management. Its members are appointed by their Governors to administer federal and state highway safety funds and implement state highway safety plans. Contact GHSA at 202-789-0942 or visit www.ghsa.org.

Customs and Border Protection Buffalo Field Office Announces Fiscal Year 2009 Accomplishments

December 02, 2009: In support of Customs and Border Protection’s national media and outreach efforts to promote the transition into full WHTI compliance, fiscal year 2009 proved to be a busy year for the Buffalo Field Office, which encompasses all 17 international land border crossings in the state of New York, from Buffalo to Champlain.

James T. Engleman, director of Field Operations for the Buffalo Field Office advised that CBP officers processed approximately 21.3 million passengers, 8.2 million autos, 1.4 million trucks and 41,660 buses. Major facility improvements at the Peace Bridge, and reconstruction of the Ports of Champlain and Massena helped to efficiently process and facilitate the flow of travelers and trade within the Buffalo Field Office.

CBP enforcement actions remained steady throughout fiscal year 2009. Officers arrested 212 fugitives, wanted for crimes including kidnapping, negligent homicide, dangerous drugs and mortgage fraud. Two of these apprehensions included the arrest of an individual wanted by INTERPOL for fraud, and the arrest of a subject of an active warrant who was wanted for kidnapping and the recovery of the kidnapping victim.

CBP’s Buffalo Field Office reported the following accomplishments for FY 2009, which started on October 1, 2008 and ended September 30, 2009:

Over 19,000 apprehensions of inadmissible travelers. Foreign nationals applying for admission to the United States can be found inadmissible for several reasons, including overstaying previous visits, using fraudulent documents, intending to immigrate illegally or being convicted of committing crimes involving moral turpitude.
Forty-two fraudulent documents were seized.
More than 75 travelers were intercepted while making a false claim to United States citizenship.
CBP officers prevented the entry of 15 foreign nationals who were identified as potential threats to national security.
CBP officers effected over 242 arrests of arriving passengers who attempted to smuggle contraband into the United States.
CBP officers seized 1,231 pounds of hydroponic marijuana.
CBP officers seized 118 pounds of ecstasy (approximately 204,000 pills) and seized a combined total of $1.4 million in undeclared currency entering and exiting the United States.
CBP officers and import specialists discovered and processed 14 Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) seizures involving counterfeit goods valued at $711,112.
CBP agriculture specialists made over 2,500 pest interceptions, an increase of 17 percent over fiscal year 2008.

Specific case examples include:

CBP officers seized three undeclared live pigeons that were found in a traveler’s luggage.
The seizure of 43,329 ecstasy pills discovered in the roof liner of a truck after an anomaly was discovered during an X-ray inspection of the truck.
The seizure of 1,600 cases (115,167 pieces) of counterfeit Vaseline with an appraised domestic value of $48,200 and a Manufactured Suggested Retail Price value of $286,811.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Examining Correlations Between Substance Abuse and Victimization

On December 8, 2009, at 2 p.m. (eastern time), the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) will present a Web Forum discussion with Steven Walker, Ph.D., on examining correlations between substance abuse and victimization. Dr. Walker is Associate Dean of the College of Social Sciences at California State University, Fresno, where he previously served as chair of the Criminology Department. As a licensed clinical psychologist and an educator, he has 25 years of experience developing victim service education programs and has conducted numerous workshops on alcohol and drug treatment, victim services, and victim service education standards. Dr. Walker has directed several drug treatment programs, including the Comprehensive Alcohol Program of Fresno, California; and was a consultant for the Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Program at Lemoore Naval Air Station, among other organizations.

Visit the OVC Web Forum now to submit questions for Dr. Walker and return on December 8, at 2 p.m. (eastern time) for the live discussion. Learn how to participate beforehand so you are ready for the discussion.

http://ovc.ncjrs.gov/ovcproviderforum/index.asp

Locking Up H1N1: CDC and Criminal Justice Join Forces

Dec. 9, 2009, Live Satellite/Internet Broadcast
Event Flyer

Description:
Lately, when you read the paper, watch television or listen to the radio, you hear something about H1N1: The president declares a state of emergency regarding H1N1. The World Health Organization declares a pandemic. Schools close because students and faculty are sick. People line up for immunizations, but not enough are available.

If you run a correctional facility, you can’t close and you can’t send inmates home. How do you deal with H1N1? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and criminal justice agencies have joined forces to provide some practical strategies for prevention and control. On December 9, 2009, the National Institute of Corrections will host a live three-hour satellite/Internet broadcast to provide an overview of opportunities that can help your organization cope with the flu. Participants will be able to:

• Define the current status of the H1N1 pandemic, including perspectives on its effect on criminal justice issues.
• Outline a rational plan for H1N1 prevention and control strategies, including how to plan for a pandemic and how to plan for the seasonal flu.
• Describe methods for ensuring that staff and inmates receive timely and accurate information about H1N1.
• Identify and access information resources on H1N1.
Registration is free and all agencies that register will be accepted. Participants will be able to call in questions using the toll-free telephone number shown during the broadcast. The broadcast is closed captioned for the hearing impaired.

Register online at www.nicic.gov/Broadcasts
The deadline for registration is December 8, 2009.

Murder Behind the Badge: True Stories of Cops Who Kill

Former Police Detective Publishes Second Book

Stacy Dittrich (Mansfield, OH) is an award-winning veteran law enforcement officer, author, media consultant, and former detective specializing in sex crimes. In 2002, she received the Victims of Crime Award from former Ohio Attorney General Jim Petro and, in 2009, received a commendation from the Ohio House of Representatives for her “countless inspiration to others.” She is the author of the CeeCee Gallagher thriller series about a female detective. She has appeared as a commentator on Fox’s The O’Reilly Factor, HLN’s Nancy Grace show, Fox’s Geraldo at Large, and other programs including hundreds of national radio shows. Her commentary has appeared in the pages of The Boston Herald, The UK Observer, The Miami Herald, SELF Magazine, and Women’s World Magazine to name a few. She is currently writing a new true crime book on the murder of California 8-year old, Sandra Cantu. See www.stacydittrich.com for media reel short.

According to the book description, “Most men and women who aspire to be police officers begin their careers with a noble dream of community service, upholding the law, and helping those in need. Yet over time the rigors and emotional strain of dealing with society’s worst element wear on even the most idealistic officers like a sheet of sandpaper, until what used to be a compassionate human being is slowly rubbed away. A few become corrupted and slip into criminal behavior, directly contradicting their oath to guard the public. Even worse, there are some who hide behind their badges to commit the most heinous crimes imaginable.

In a shocking true-crime narrative that reads like a thriller, former police officer, former detective, and mystery writer Stacy Dittrich tells eighteen stories about cops who kill. From the brutal to the bizarre, the senseless to the extreme, these men and women abused their power, took human life, and are now (except for one) paying the consequences.

Some killed for love, others for money, and still others because of seemingly trivial personality conflicts. Dittrich profiles, among others:

• New Orleans cop Antoinette Frank, who brutally murdered three innocent people, including a fellow officer
• Canton, Ohio police officer Bobby Cutts Jr., who murdered his former girlfriend when she was nine-months pregnant
• California highway patrolman Craig Peyer, who pulled over San Diego State college student Cara Knott over a frivolous traffic violation, then murdered her.
• Columbia, Missouri officer Steven Rios, who slit the throat of his gay lover, after he threatened to tell everyone of their relationship.

MORE INFORMATION

Police plan register of serial domestic violence offenders

Police chiefs have proposed a domestic violence register to track an estimated 25,000 men in England and Wales who move from one relationship to another serially abusing their partners.

The Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) is also pressing for the creation of a "course of conduct" offence that would enable prosecutions to be brought against serial offenders even if the evidence is insufficient in each individual case.

The police say a register of serial abusers would allow new partners and others at risk of violence to be told of a man's history. Controversially, this could include information short of convictions, including a pattern of unproved allegations by different women.

READ ON
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2009/nov/16/domestic-violence-police-register-database

And Rhode Island Makes 19!

Ocean State Becomes 19th to Ban Texting While Driving

Yesterday, Rhode Island Governor Donald Carcieri signed a law banning all drivers from text messaging while driving. The Ocean State becomes the 19th state with this law. In 2009, twelve new states have passed broad texting while driving bans, bringing the total to 19, plus the District of Columbia. As of December 2008, only seven states plus D.C. had enacted similar legislation.

GHSA expects this number to continue to grow quickly. According to GHSA Executive Director Barbara Harsha, "There's a tremendous amount of interest in addressing distracted driving at both the state and national levels. I expect an additional 20-25 states could pass this legislation within the next year."

Regardless of state laws, GHSA continues to urge drivers to hang up and drive. According to Harsha, "Texting and conversations on a cell phone have been shown to greatly increase risk of a crash. We need to restore some common sense to driving."

Current state cell phone and text messaging bans as well as a variety of distracted driving background is posted at www.ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/laws/cellphone_laws.html.

The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA)® is a nonprofit association representing the highway safety offices of states, territories, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. GHSA provides leadership and representation for the states and territories to improve traffic safety, influence national policy and enhance program management. Its members are appointed by their Governors to administer federal and state highway safety funds and implement state highway safety plans. Contact GHSA at 202-789-0942 or visit www.ghsa.org.

The Holidays are Coming

Twas the Night Before Christmas
http://www.police-writers.com/night_before_christmas.html

Use of force

A recent event in my hometown in Florida involved a police office shooting his taser while driving his police car. The subject, who was riding a bike, fell and was subsequently run over by the officer. He tragically died at the scene. As a result, the city police have adopted a new policy that tasers can't be fired from a moving vehicle.

I relate this story because it our community as well as the country have stepped on this bandwagon of trying to ban the use of the taser. Without different tools to control different situations and differnt people, soon we will find our officers having to choose between their fists or their Glock. If I weren't a law-abiding citizen, I would truly want the taser to stay an option.

Susan Anderson
former police officer and writer of Cold Case in Ellyson
available on Amazon

Spring 2010 Rural Law Enforcement Technology Institute

May 2-7, 2010, Coronado (San Diego), Calif.
Application Deadline: February 1, 2010

Description:

For the eighth year, the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) is sponsoring a Rural Law Enforcement Technology Institute. This technology institute will be held May 2-7, 2010, in Coronado (San Diego), Calif., and is targeted/designed for the command staff/supervisory personnel of rural and small law enforcement agencies containing fewer than 50 sworn officers. Law enforcement personnel will learn about and discuss technology initiatives and issues affecting the rural and small law enforcement community. Participants will receive information and assistance on existing and developing technologies, work through problems relating to technology implementation, and exchange technology lessons learned that are important to the rural and small law enforcement community.

As part of the program, participants are required to give a brief (no more than 15 minutes) PowerPoint presentation on a technology issue that their department has encountered or is in the process of implementing (e.g., implementation of a crime mapping program, new communications system or automated booking station). The presentation can be either an “issues to be dealt with” or a “lessons-learned” format, depending on whether the program has been completed, and must be submitted on CD-ROM with the application.

There is no registration cost and all travel, food and lodging expenses are paid. However, only 35 individuals will be selected to attend. Previous attendees of the NIJ Rural Law Enforcement Technology Institute or the NIJ Technology Institutes for Law Enforcement or Corrections are not eligible to attend.

For a copy of the application form go to:
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/training/rural-institute.htm

The deadline for submitting an application is February 1, 2010. Applications not received by that date and/or applications submitted without a CD-ROM containing the PowerPoint presentation will not be considered. The application and PowerPoint CD-ROM should be mailed to the following address:


Rural Law Enforcement Technology Center
ATTN: Rural LE Tech Institute
101 Bulldog Lane
Hazard, KY 41701
For additional information, please contact Scott Barker, Deputy Director-Rural Law Enforcement Technology Center, at (866) 787-2553 or e-mail ruletc1@aol.com.

Part Badge, Part Tights: All Hero

On November 5, 2009, Conversations with American Heroes at the Watering Hole will feature a discussion with former Ellis County Sheriff’s Department deputy sheriff Dr. Brian A. Kinnaird.

Program Date: November 5, 2009
Program Time: 1700 hours, Pacific
Topic: Part Badge, Part Tights: All Hero
Listen Live:
www.americanheroesradio.com/part_badge_part_tights_all_hero.html

About the Guest
Brian A. Kinnaird “is an internationally recognized scholar, author, and trainer in the fields of criminal justice and social psychology. As a commissioned law enforcement officer, Dr. Kinnaird served as Deputy Sheriff in Ellis County, KS where he held assignments in field training, use of force instruction, and tactical team operations. Following almost a decade of police duty, Kinnaird went on to serve as a tenured professor, director, and department chair of Justice Studies at Fort Hays State University (KS). In 2007, Dr. Brian A. Kinnaird returned to his hometown of Salina, KS where he has released his third book. He continues to teach university courses and train law enforcement officers & agencies.

Dr. Kinnaird earned his Ph.D. in human services/criminal justice from Capella University (Minneapolis, MN) preceded by a B.A. in sociology and M.L.S. in criminal justice from Fort Hays State University (Hays, KS). Kinnaird is published in a wide variety of outlets including peer-reviewed journals, books, book chapters, trade publications, reviews, and columns. He is a Policy Fellow with the Docking Institute of Public Affairs and has had policy work featured as best practices by the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.”

Brian A. Kinnaird is the author of Use of Force: Expert Guidance for Decisive Force Response; Exploring Police Liability Profiles: Proximate Cause Analysis of Police Misconduct in the San Francisco, CA Police Department; and, Part Badge. Part Tights. All Hero.

According to the book description of Part Badge. Part Tights. All Hero, “Metropolis and Gotham City have always had watchful guardians. Comic book civilizations are full of them—extraordinary people who choose to share their authentic gifts to help others. Superheroes, as pop culture symbols of justice, have long been known in our law enforcement community to be a source of inspiration and moral guidance for a life served to protect. From Superman and The Lone Ranger to our men and women in blue, Brian Kinnaird examines the spirit of heroism and the human instinct to seek order and meaning in a dangerous world where today’s superheroes wear a badge and gun.”

About the Watering Hole
The Watering Hole is Police slang for a location cops go off-duty to blow off steam and talk about work and life. American Heroes Radio brings you to the watering hole, where it is Sometimes funny; sometimes serious; but, always interesting.

About the Host
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster was a sworn member of the Los Angeles Police Department for 24 years. He retired in 2003 at the rank of Lieutenant. He holds a bachelor’s from the Union Institute and University in Criminal Justice Management and a Master’s Degree in Public Financial Management from California State University, Fullerton; and, has completed his doctoral course work. Raymond E. Foster has been a part-time lecturer at California State University, Fullerton and Fresno; and is currently a Criminal Justice Department chair, faculty advisor and lecturer with the Union Institute and University. He has experience teaching upper division courses in Law Enforcement, public policy, Police Technology and leadership. Raymond is an experienced author who has published numerous articles in a wide range of venues including magazines such as Government Technology, Mobile Government, Airborne Law Enforcement Magazine, and Police One. He has appeared on the History Channel and radio programs in the United States and Europe as subject matter expert in technological applications in Law Enforcement.

Listen, call, join us at the Watering Hole:
www.americanheroesradio.com/part_badge_part_tights_all_hero.html

Program Contact Information
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster, LAPD (ret.), MPA
editor@police-writers.com
909.599.7530

Can you predict lethal intimate partner violence?

November 12, 2009
3 pm - 5 pm (Eastern Time)

Of all women murdered in the United States, 40-50 percent are murdered by their intimate partners and 45 percent are murdered when they are trying to leave an abusive partner. Women threatened with a gun are 20 times more likely to be murdered.

Approximately 1.3 million women are physically assaulted by an intimate partner per year in the United States.

Practitioners and researchers have built strong partnerships to understand and prevent intimate partner violence. In this expert chat you will learn about the Danger Assessment (DA) and how this tool is changing the way police in Baltimore, Maryland, are addressing domestic violence. What Baltimore is doing may help your jurisdiction.

Panelists include:

Andy Klein, Ph.D. - Moderator, Senior Research Analyst with Advocates for Human Potential, Inc.
Marci Van De Mark, LCSW-C - Assistant Director, Adult & Community Services Division, Baltimore County Department of Social Services
Jacquelyn Campbell, Ph.D., RN - Researcher; Anna D. Wolf Chair & Professor, Department of Community Public Health at Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing
Rene Renick, MA, LPC, EMBA - Director of Programs and Operations, National Network to End Domestic Violence
Register today!
http://www.innovations.harvard.edu/spotlight.html?id=2407

Free Forensic Biological Screening Workshops for Crime Scene Investigators in Training

Description: This event is for crime scene investigators in training, or with less than one year of experience. Candidates with more experience may be selected on a case‐by‐case basis and as space allows. This National Institute of Justice workshop will be held at the National Forensic Science Technology Center (NFSTC) in Largo, FL (Tampa Bay area) in January, February and March. Deadlines are coming up, so please register in advance.

Biological Screening Workshop attendees will learn:

Screening techniques for blood and semen
Use of alternative light source for locating biological stains
Evidence collection, documentation, and case processing skills
The workshop curriculum includes a written and a practical assessment, see the attached draft agenda. Travel arrangements and hotel accommodations are included and participants will be reimbursed at the standard government per diem for the duration of the workshop.

For more information and to register, visit www.nfstc.org/meetings.

Title: Essentials of Crime Scene Investigation Training Announcement

Description:
In partnership with the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), the National Forensic Science Technology Center (NFSTC) is pleased to announce that Essentials of Crime Scene Investigation training will be provided at no-cost to eligible applicants under Cooperative Agreement Award (#2008-DN-BX-K201).

This training program is designed to introduce law enforcement personnel to the fundamental principles of crime scene investigation, including techniques used to recover a variety of high value items of evidence. The 40 hour course includes 16 hours of prerequisite online theoretical course work and 24 hours of hands‐on instructor led practical activities conducted at the NFSTC in Largo, FL. Participants will be required to complete online course work, assignments, and assessments prior to attending the onsite practical instruction.

Who should attend?

Newly-assigned crime scene investigators
CSI examiners with less than 3 years experience who have not attended a formal crime scene training course
Law enforcement first responders
Applications are being accepted for the following training sessions: Session Off-site Online Prerequisite Course Work
and Assessment Completion On-site Practical Instruction (Largo, FL)
1 Opens: 1/6/10 Closes: 1/15/10 January 20-22, 2010 (W, Th, F)
2 Opens: 1/6/10 Closes: 1/15/10 January 25-27, 2010 (M, T, W)
3 Opens: 2/3/10 Closes: 2/12/10 February 17-19, 2010 (W, Th, F)
4 Opens: 2/3/10 Closes: 2/12/10 February 22-24, 2010 (M, T, W)


Application Process

Applications will be accepted through Sunday, November 29, 2009, 11:59 PM EST.

Complete and submit application online by following the steps listed below:


Navigate to the NFSTC Event Portal (http://www.nfstc.org/meetings)
If this is the first time using the NFSTC Event Portal, click on the Create New Account link and complete requested information to establish a user account.
Existing users login to the NFSTC Event Portal using assigned Username and Password
Locate the Essentials of Crime Scene Investigation Training Application event listed under Event Name and click on the Register button.
Enter “CSI” (case sensitive) in the Enter Your Invitation Code field.
Complete the Application for Essentials of Crime Scene Investigation Training Program in its entirety.
Only fully completed applications will be eligible for selection consideration
Click on the Submit button to complete the application process.
Application information may be edited at any time up to November 29, 2009, 11:59 PM EST by logging into the NFSTC Event Portal and clicking on the Edit My Details link displayed next to the Essentials of Crime Scene Investigation Training Application event.

Questions related to the application process should be directed to:


Diane Gruenloh National Forensic Science Technology Center
Training Program Support Associate
Diane.Gruenloh@nfstc.org
727-549-6067, Ext: 155

Expenses

Training program participants will be provided travel, lodging, per diem and transportation to/from hotel and NFSTC training facility with the following requirements/restrictions:


- Training participants who live within 50 miles of the NFSTC training facility are not eligible for lodging accommodation reimbursement; roundtrip daily mileage from home to the NFSTC will be reimbursed
- Travel mileage reimbursement for driving in lieu of flying must be approved and will be based upon cost of a matching flight itinerary obtained through the NFSTC travel agency; meal per diem is based on the flight itinerary as well
- Only one roundtrip (home to airport/airport to home) will be reimbursed per training session; original receipts required
- Only one roundtrip airport to hotel shuttle service will be reimbursed per training session; original receipts required
- Maximum reimbursement for excess luggage is $40 regardless of number of luggage items
- Maximum reimbursement for excess luggage weight is $25 regardless of number of luggage items
- Travel-related tipping maximum is 10% of the bill/receipt
- Luggage handling and housekeeping/hotel gratuities are not reimbursable
- Reimbursement for those who do not attend the entire training session will be adjusted accordingly
Applicants will be notified of their selection status no later than December 2, 2009.

GHSA Chairman Takes Distracted Driving Message to Congress

Highway Safety Group to Testify on Distracted Driving Solutions

Washington, D.C. -- GHSA Chairman Vernon F. Betkey, Jr. will testify at a hearing before the U.S. House of Representatives Transportation and Infrastructure Committee's Subcommittee on Highways and Transit on Thursday, October 29th beginning at 9:30 a.m. The theme of the hearing is "Addressing the Problem of Distracted Driving."

Betkey will outline GHSA's position on the topic and stress the association's desire for a comprehensive approach to problem. Betkey's written statement is posted online at www.ghsa.org/html/issues/pdf/2009.10.29.testimony.pdf. Among Betkey's points:
GHSA firmly believes the problem of distracted driving is significant and is only likely to increase in the future.

To determine the scope of the problem, it is necessary to examine distracted driving data from many sources, using different databases and types of research studies.
Research about the safety of hands-free versus hand-held cell phone use is not definitive, and more study is needed.

There have been no studies on the effectiveness of text message bans. Neither have there been studies on the risks associated with using MP3 players, GPS systems and other nomadic devices while driving. All of these areas should be studied.

Regarding legislation, GHSA takes a cautious approach and supports texting bans for all drivers as well as complete cell phone bans for novice driers and school bus drivers. Due to the uncertainties about the effectiveness of hand-held versus hands-free cell phone bans, GHSA has not supported either a hand-held ban or a complete ban. GHSA believes a hand-held ban may give some drivers a false sense of safety that hands-free devices are safe. Additionally, the type of hands-free devices/ear pieces currently allowed by some states is not the same as the voice-activated hands-free devices recommended by the frequently cited Virginia Teach Transportation Institute study.

Legislation alone will not solve the problem. Law enforcement must be given the training and resources to aggressively enforce bans, and the judiciary must be trained on the purpose and efficacy of bans.

A broad, federal social norming educational campaign should be created to influence driver behavior at the community level. Educational efforts in conjunction with high-visibility enforcement have successfully resulted in drivers buckling up and not driving drunk. These concepts should also be applied to distracted driving.

Both the state and federal governments will need significantly more funding to enforce distracted driving laws, purchase paid media to support the enforcement, train law enforcement and the judiciary and enhance data collection. Currently, no federal highway safety grant program exists to deal with this need. State highway safety agencies that wish to address distracted driving are forced to divert funding from drunk driving, seat belt, child passenger safety and other proven effective highway safety programs.

On a related note, last week, a coalition of safety and transportation groups sent a letter to members of the House and Senate advocating a broad approach to distracted driving. These groups also all oppose any federal sanction that would require states to act on distracted driving or lose vital highway funding. Signees were AAA, American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, American Highway Users Alliance and GHSA. The letters are posted online at www.ghsa.org/html/issues/pdf/House10.09.pdf and www.ghsa.org/html/issues/pdf/Senate10.09.pdf.

Obama Declares H1N1 Influenza National Emergency

By Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael J. Carden
American Forces Press Service

Oct. 26, 2009 - President Barack Obama signed a national emergency declaration on H1N1 influenza over the weekend to accommodate American health care facilities' ability to address the pandemic. "By rapidly identifying the virus, implementing public heath measures, providing guidance for health professionals and the general public, and developing an effective vaccine, we have take proactive steps to reduce the impact of the pandemic and protect the health of our citizens," the president said in his proclamation Oct. 24.

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has twice declared a public health emergency due to the H1N1 strain. The first came July 24, and the most recent was Oct. 1.

"As a nation, we have prepared at all levels of government, and as individuals and communities, taking unprecedented steps to counter the emerging pandemic," Obama said. "Nevertheless, the 2009 H1N1 pandemic continues to evolve. In recognition of the continuing progression of the pandemic, and in further preparation as a nation, we are taking additional steps to facilitate our response."

The declaration grants authority to the Department of Health and Human Services to waive legal requirements and gives medical facilities the ability to set up alternate care sites, modify patient triage protocols, alter patient transfer procedures and other actions to employ disaster operations and relief, Pentagon spokeswoman Rene White said.

Temporary waivers are petitioned to HHS by the individual medical facilities under Section 1135 of the Social Security Act. Although the president declared the pandemic a national emergency, waivers still require specific requests to HHS, and some state laws may need to be addressed, according to a White House statement released yesterday.

"The H1N1 [pandemic] is moving rapidly," White said. "By the time regions or health care systems recognize they are becoming overburdened, they need to implement disaster plans quickly. Adding a potential delay while waiting for a national emergency declaration is not in the best interest of the public, particularly if this step can be done proactively, as we are doing here."

The most recent examples of a U.S. president granting the Section 1135 waivers was in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Hurricanes Ike and Gustav in 2008, the North Dakota flooding in March and as a protocol for January's presidential inauguration.

Although thousands of U.S. servicemembers were called to duty in these events, the Defense Department does not anticipate a major call up of forces due to the H1N1 , White said. However, the department is prepared to respond if needed.

"At this time, the Defense Department is evaluating the impacts the president's declaration has on [Defense Department] H1N1 operations," she said. "One of our first priorities right now continues to be vaccine availability and distribution – first protecting uniformed personnel, deployed [personnel], training sites, ships afloat and submarines, as well as our health care personnel."

Helping Children Exposed to Domestic Violence

On October 26, 2009, at 2 p.m. (eastern time), in recognition of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention will present a Web Forum discussion with Miriam Berkman, J.D., M.S.W., and Sherry L. Hamby, Ph.D., on best practices for helping children exposed to domestic violence. Ms. Berkman is an Assistant Clinical Professor in Social Work at the Yale University Child Study Center and coordinator of the Child Development-Community Policing Program’s Domestic Violence Intervention Project. She provides consultation and training regarding children’s experience with violence and effective collaborative approaches to intervention, with a
focus on domestic violence. Dr. Hamby is a Research Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at Sewanee: The University of the South, studying the methodological and measurement challenges of violence research and cross-cultural issues in measuring and intervening for violence. She is a co-author of the Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire—the core of the National Survey of Children’s Exposure to Violence, the source of the most up-to-date and comprehensive statistics on exposure to family violence.

Visit the OVC Web Forum now to submit questions for Ms. Berkman and Dr. Hamby and return on October 26 at 2 p.m. (eastern time) for the live discussion. Learn how to participate beforehand so you are ready for the discussion.

MORE INFORMATION
http://ovc.ncjrs.gov/ovcproviderforum/

AUTOGRAPH PARTY

Saturday, October 24, 2009, I will be at TALE OF TWO SISTERS BOOKSTORE, 214 Lee Lane, Suite A, Covington, LA 70433 (Phone: 985.875.7750). I will be signing copies of NEW ORLEANS CONFIDENTIAL, LaSTANZA: NEW ORLEANS POLICE STORIES, THE BIG SHOW and plan to give autographed copies of some magazines. Other New Orleans authors will be signing their books. Come if you can.

National and State Efforts Draw Attention to Teen Driver Safety

National Teen Driver Safety Week is October 18-24

Washington, D.C.--- To commemorate National Teen Driver Safety Week (NTDSW), national organizations and state highway safety agencies have a variety of events and activities planned to draw attention to the senseless tragedies associated with teen driving crashes and fatalities. NTDSW has been designated by Congress as a time for communities, schools and families to raise awareness and provide solutions to teen driver crashes, the leading cause of death for teens in the United States. In 2008, 4,054 teenagers ages13-19 died in motor vehicle crashes.

To raise awareness about the issue as well as highlight law enforcement and educational activities, state highway safety agencies will be drawing attention to the risks faced by young drivers. Michigan, Minnesota and California, for example, will focus on risks associated with texting and cell phone use. Iowa, Louisiana, Kentucky, Mississippi and Missouri are among the states that will focus on teen seat belt use both with educational and law enforcement components.

The most important action to reduce teen driving deaths is strengthening state graduated licensing laws. Indiana and Maryland will remind teens and parents about new, stricter laws now in effect in those states. States have made tremendous progress in strengthening teen driving laws. 49 states now have some form of three-tiered graduated licensing system which is recommended by GHSA, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and other experts. Based on the IIHS rating system, no state in 1996 had a law rated as "good." Today, 34 states and D.C. are rated as "good." Nine are "fair," 7 are "marginal," and no states are "poor."

On the national level, GHSA and Ford Motor Company Fund continue working with state highway safety agencies on the Ford Driving Skills for Life Program. Teen training and related events have recently been held or will be held in Arizona, Florida, Indiana, Tennessee and Washington, D.C. More information about this comprehensive teen driving program is available at www.drivingskillsforlife.com.

Finally, next week, GHSA is joining with the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to announce the 2009 Operation Safe Driver campaign which focuses on reducing unsafe driving behavior by trucks, buses and passenger vehicles. This year, the program will focus on teaching teens about the risks of dangerous driving behavior and the how to safely share the road with commercial vehicles. A new "Teens and Trucks" training course has been developed by federal and state agencies and will be offered to schools. More information about this campaign will be available next week at www.operationsafedriver.com.

A sampling of state activities for NTDSW as well as state laws and related resources are posted at http://www.ghsa.org/html/projects/ntdsw/2009.html.

The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) is a nonprofit association representing the highway safety offices of states, territories, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. GHSA provides leadership and representation for the states and territories to improve traffic safety, influence national policy and enhance program management. Its members are appointed by their Governors to administer federal and state highway safety funds and implement state highway safety plans. Contact GHSA at 202-789-0942 or visit www.ghsa.org.

OFFICER SAFETY: A New Breed of Suspect

We got this the other day from a source that we can't reveal and figured it was damn good timing for Tactical Tuesday. We've pared it down quite a bit to keep it from revealing anything Law Enforcement Sensitive...but it has a lot to do with officer safety, so we thought it was important to share. Read and be prepared.

READ ON
http://breachbangclear.blogspot.com/2009/10/new-breed-of-suspect.html