As Jaelysa Bracey was sworn into the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office’s High Tech Crime Unit, she was emotional, especially as she looked at her grandmother.
“She’s been my supporter through and through, nonstop,” said Bracey, a senior cybersecurity and information technology student at Purdue University Northwest. “She’s been there since day one, since I was a baby. She’s been there every step of the way and my biggest motivator, and I definitely would not be here without her.”
Bracey was one of nine PNW students sworn in as interns with the prosecutor’s office Wednesday. Through the High Tech Crime Unit, the students will receive hands-on experience in digital forensic analysis and help contribute to the investigation and prosecution of criminal cases.
“Basically what we do is teach students data recovery, analysis and parsing of the data,” said Edgar Rodriguez, executive director of the High Tech Crime Unit and deputy prosecuting attorney, “and we work closely with them hands-on, and they’re working with live, real-time data.”
The program partners with various police departments throughout the region, including in Gary, Hammond, Hobart, Crown Point and East Chicago. They also work with the Indiana State Police, Lake County Sheriff Department, Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District, and PNW and Indiana University Northwest police departments.
According to a news release, PNW and the prosecutor’s office have partnered for three years, and students are selected through an application and interview process. They’re involved through the remainder of the academic year.
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Eight new students are involved in the program, and two interns are continuing from last year. Nine students were involved in Wednesday’s ceremony.
“I’m very nervous,” Bracey said. “But, I’m just an anxious person, so I’m still very excited. I feel like this is a great opportunity and definitely a good step in the right direction. I have my foot in the door — hopefully — and I can see myself making this a career.”
Digital Forensic Investigator and PNW Lecturer Brant Mendenhall said Wednesday that it’s an exciting time for the intern group.
“We’re excited to have them,” Mendenhall said. “It’s going to be a mix of what they’ve learned in the three years they’ve been here, and it’s going to push their limits and their investigative mindset.”
Lake County Prosecutor Bernie Carter also addressed students at Wednesday’s ceremony. He said the unit’s work is important to Lake County.
Cell phones and other electronic devices have become increasingly important in criminal cases, Carter said.
“If it’s a domestic violence, sexual assault, drug case, some type of murder, every case we file, there’s some type of electronic device that we utilize to prove that case,” he added.
Investigating electronic devices has moved the office’s conviction rate into about the 90th percentile, Carter said, adding that the national rate is about 70%.
Because people have cell phones on them the majority of the time, Carter said it’s easier to track where they went during crimes. He also said the rise of Flock cameras has made it easier to solve cases.
“I welcome you into our office,” Carter said. “I welcome you in terms of doing some very important work, not only for yourself but for the citizens of Lake County. This internship will follow you through the rest of your career.”
Nicole Floyd, a senior cybersecurity and information technology student, said it’s been a dream of hers to work with law enforcement.
“Originally, I thought I was going to be a cop, but I realized that wasn’t really up my alley,” she said. “Working behind the scenes, behind the screen, that’s honestly the most perfect job, and I can do what I want to do.”
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Floyd said Wednesday that she’s excited to start the program and to have her foot in the door with the prosecutor’s office.
“How cool is it to say that you work for the High Tech Crime Unit?” she said. “Every time I say that, people are like, ‘No way!’ It’s so cool that I get to say that and that I get to experience it.”