Building a Digital Forensic Laboratory

Chapter 6. Laboratory Location

Introduction

This chapter will address a range of issues that must be considered when deciding on the location of the laboratory. These will include the location of the laboratory in terms of the geographic location, the location with regard to the owning organization, and the location of the laboratory within a building.

The location and security of the laboratory is a critical item that is often overlooked or poorly considered. Much of the forensic data stored must have a physical location that is secure, stable, and sterile. Continuity of evidence demands a high level of auditable access control to the data being processed or stored, which can only ultimately be provided in a secure, sterile, and systematic ...