Cook County Officer Named Director of Chicago Regional Computer Forensic Laboratory

April 29, 2010 - Robert D. Grant, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), was joined today by the Board of Directors of the Chicago Regional Computer Forensic Laboratory (RCFL) in announcing that a Cook County Sheriff’s Police Officer has been named as Director of the Chicago digital evidence processing and recovery center.

John T. Dziedzic, a 13-year veteran of the Cook County Sheriff’s Police Department, was named Director by the laboratory’s board, succeeding FBI Special Agent Keith Johnson, who returned to Washington, D.C. last month, where he was assigned to the Office of the Directorate of Intelligence. Investigator Dziedzic has served as the Acting Director of the laboratory since March and has been the Assistant Director of the facility since 2007. Investigator Dziedzic began his service at the Chicago RCFL as a digital forensic examiner in October of 2005 and is the first non-FBI employee to head the Chicago laboratory.

In announcing the selection of Investigator Dziedzic as the new Director of the RCFL, Mr. Grant noted the significant contribution that the Cook County Sheriff’s Office has made to the laboratory since its inception in 2004. Said Mr. Grant: “As a founding member of the Chicago RCFL, the Cook County Sheriff’s Office has played a significant role in the development of the facility. With the selection of Investigator Dziedzic as the new director, they are now playing an even greater role in providing digital forensic services to law enforcement agencies throughout the Chicago area.”

Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart added: “John is a phenomenal employee who has always shown a natural aptitude for computer forensics, as well as great leadership skills. We are proud of John and the work he’s done and are gratified to see that others also recognize his many talents. We know that he will continue to represent the department well in his new capacity.”

Located at 610 South Canal Street, the Chicago RCFL opened in 2004. The RCFL recently earned accreditation from the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors for the storage, examination and processing of digital and multi-media evidence. The Chicago facility was the fourth digital evidence laboratory of its kind to open in the U.S., although there are now 16 similar facilities in operation nationwide.

Although funded by the Department of Justice, the Chicago RCFL is a collaborative effort of both the FBI and participating agencies. At present, personnel from the Chicago, Lombard, Joliet and Palatine Police Departments, the Cook County Sheriff’s Police and the City of Chicago’s - Office of Inspector General are assigned to the Chicago facility. All personnel assigned to the RCFL are certified by the FBI as computer forensic examiners and must adhere to strict operational policies and procedures.

Last year, the Chicago facility handled nearly 500 requests for the examination of digital evidence. In addition to conducting forensic examinations, the RCFL also provides training to law enforcement agents and officers from throughout the Midwest.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Additional information about the RCFL program is available online at www.rcfl.gov. For further information, please contact the Chicago FBI’s Press Office at (312) 829-1199.