Dearborn Police Sergeant Wins Top Forensic Award Examiner Award​

DEARBORN, MI — A Dearborn police sergeant was awarded a top forensic examiner award by the U.S. Secret Service, the Dearborn Police Department announced Monday.

For the second consecutive year, Sgt. James Isaacs received a National Computer Forensics Award, which issued annually by the United States Secret Service and the National Computer Forensics Institute (NCFI). Isaacs currently serves in the Technical Investigations Unit.

"It's an honor to be able to serve the Dearborn community and surrounding cities with the knowledge and tools obtained by way of this specialized training in digital forensics, provided through our partnership with the Secret Service and the National Computer Forensics Institute," Isaacs said. "It has given me the opportunity to lead a team that has been instrumental in multiple investigations and without it, we would not be successful."

In determining the award, officials weigh each investigator's productivity in three disciplines: Media, Etech and Hard drives. Officials evaluate the disciplines for a "productivity rating" for the final ranking of each examiner who participates in the voluntary program.

Digital forensic exams are used in all types of investigations, including violent crimes, crimes against people and financial crimes.

In 2022, Dearborn’s Technical Investigations Unit examined over 700 pieces of evidence and more than 120 terabytes of digital evidence, the department said.

In addition, there were more than 17 agencies in southeast Michigan that benefitted from the unit’s work in digital forensics, the department said.

"This is a significant achievement for both Sgt. Isaacs and the Dearborn Police Department," Dearborn Police Chief Issa Shahin said. "Our Technical Investigations Unit’s expertise in forensic exams has a major impact on keeping communities safe. They utilize top notch training and equipment, and a fully functional Digital Forensic Evidence Lab to support this important work. I couldn’t be prouder of this team’s service to Dearborn."

The NCFI is operated by a partnership between the U.S. Secret Service and state and local partners. It is a federally funded training center dedicated to training, educating, and equipping state, local, tribal, and territorial law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and judges with skills and information on cyber and electronic crimes and related threats.