With Martin at his side, Morganelli announced yesterday that Northampton County is signing on to the digital forensics lab, located at DeSales University. Martin established this lab in 2011 with funding from a memorial foundation set up in honor of Upper Saucon Police Officer David M Pezold, who lost his life in the line of duty.
In Northampton County, when police want to analyze cell phones or computers, the items are shipped off to the state police, which has a current backlog of eleven months. With that kind of delay, the dated information becomes far less valuable. But according to crime lab manager Paul Iannace, that backlog is one month or less at the DeSales lab. In addition to two full-time employees, the lab is manned by interns from various colleges, as well as police officers. "From harassment to homicide, we can investigate it all.
Martin has made these services available when Northampton County police officers have asked for help. BUT Morganelli has now agreed to help fund the operation with $40,000 per year, and several Easton police officers have volunteered to assist in operating the lab. Martin will retain overall control.
Martin called the arrangement a "win-win for everyone in the law enforcement community."
Though the two counties are working together on a digital forensic lab, Northampton County has yet to commit to the Regional Crime Center, which has been credited for solving several homicides and other crimes. Martin believes a regional crime center is the most sensible approach to a transient criminal community whose crimes dot along the thruways in both counties.
When he was Sheriff, Randy Miller actually opposed the regional crime center. Morganelli has been concerned about cost, but supports the concept and would be happy to see it funded from the $1.2 million in table games revenue that flow into county coffers every year.
Blogger's Note: I have copyrighted the above picture of Jim Martin.
