Indiana State University &
Vigo County High Tech Crime Unit
How a university forensics program and multi-agency crime unit replaced Microsoft Word with purpose-built forensic documentation software.
A Multi-Agency Partnership Serving West Central Indiana
The Vigo County High Tech Crime Unit (HTCU) was established in November 2021 through a collaboration between the Vigo County Prosecutor's Office, Indiana State University, the Terre Haute Police Department, and the Vigo County Sheriff's Office.
The HTCU is one of 10 statewide units serving Indiana's 92 counties, covering 8 counties in the West Central region. Students in Indiana State University's School of Criminology and Security Studies serve as sworn digital forensic investigators with law enforcement powers during active duty.
Dr. Jason E. James, D.Sc.
Assistant Professor of Cybersecurity
Indiana State University
Chief Digital Forensics Investigator
& Operations Manager
Vigo County HTCU
General-Purpose Tools for Specialized Work
Before Forensic Notes, Dr. James required students to document investigations using Microsoft Word. It was the standard tool available, but it was never designed for forensic work.
Microsoft Word for Forensic Documentation
Students and investigators were using general-purpose office software to document digital forensic examinations. Word provides no audit trail, no timestamps, and no way to prove when evidence was discovered.
No Standardized Documentation Training
Without a purpose-built tool, students had no way to learn proper forensic documentation practices. Each student documented differently, with no consistency across cases.
No Oversight or Monitoring
Supervisors had no centralized way to monitor student progress, review case activity, or verify that documentation standards were being met across active investigations.
Rather than relying on typical Microsoft Office Word, we wanted something geared toward Digital Forensics.
A Platform Designed for Digital Forensics
Dr. James adopted Forensic Notes as the standard documentation tool for both his university classroom and the Vigo County HTCU. The transition was fast. Students were productive after just one or two training sessions.
Forensic Notes gave the program what Word never could: timestamped entries, SHA-512 digital signatures on every note, complete audit trails, and a centralized view of all active investigations.
- Every note is timestamped and digitally signed at creation
- All student activity visible from a single dashboard
- Audit trails track every action across every case
- Attachments and screenshots organized chronologically
- Students trained on real forensic documentation practices
After 1 or 2 classroom instructions, it's simple and straightforward to understand.
Forensic Notes is a one-stop shop to see and monitor work in classroom and HTCU.
Everything electronically stored in one place means I know where to find information.
Measurable Impact Across Classroom and Field
Credibility in Court
Every note is timestamped and digitally signed, giving examiners a verifiable record of when evidence was discovered and documented during an investigation.
Students Learn the Right Way
Students learn to document cases using a professional forensic tool from day one. This gives them a competitive advantage when applying to law enforcement agencies after graduation.
Complete Case Visibility
Dr. James can monitor all active investigations, review student work in real time, and ensure documentation standards are being met across the entire unit.
Industry Recognition
Law enforcement agencies receiving HTCU reports now recognize Forensic Notes as a standard documentation tool. The brand carries credibility with every case delivered.
Timestamping ensures transparency around when evidence is discovered during investigation.
Graduating Investigators Who Document Cases the Right Way
Students in Dr. James's program don't just learn theory. They work real cases as sworn digital forensic investigators. When they graduate and apply to law enforcement agencies, they already know how to document an investigation using professional forensic tools.
That practical experience sets them apart. Hiring agencies see candidates who have already used Forensic Notes on real cases, and that familiarity carries weight.
Industry Recognition
When I say Forensic Notes, all law enforcement agencies we serve know what it is.
Dr. Jason E. James
Forensic Notes is designed for Digital Forensics. It's one of the best software tools available: simple UI, responsive ownership, and excellent for the discipline.
See How Forensic Notes Works for Your Organization
Whether you run a forensics lab, a law enforcement agency, or an academic program, we can show you exactly how Forensic Notes fits your workflow.
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