The 17TH judicial district attorneys office will utilize this funding to create innovative, effective strategies to address the unique considerations applicable to the collection of digital evidence…

The 17th Judicial District Attorney's Office in Adams County, Colorado received a $350,000 Project Grant from the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program (CFDA 16.738). The grant funding will be used to create innovative strategies for collecting digital evidence from victims of domestic violence and human trafficking. Key goals of the project include: 1) developing expertise in addressing considerations around digital evidence collection from these victims, 2) identifying specialized equipment to balance effective data acquisition and victim privacy/safety, 3) establishing a collaborative task force of law enforcement, victim advocates, and prosecutors, and 4) developing and disseminating best practices and protocols. The grant period runs from October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2026.

The 17TH judicial district attorneys office will utilize this funding to create innovative, effective strategies to address the unique considerations applicable to the collection of digital evidence from victims, with a specific focus on domestic violence and human trafficking victims. The goals of the project are to: 1. Develop the knowledge and experience necessary to properly address the considerations surrounding the collection of digital evidence from victims of domestic violence and human trafficking; 2. Identify and obtain equipment that serves the dual considerations when collecting digital evidence from victims of effective data acquisition and protecting victim privacy and safety; 3. Create a task force and hub-system involving law enforcement, victim advocates, and prosecutors to collaborate while implementing innovative strategies towards collecting and using digital evidence from victims of domestic violence and human trafficking; and 4. Develop and disseminate best practices and protocols for the collection of digital evidence from victims of domestic violence and human trafficking.