View source for Science and Technology Branch

{{Organization
|OrganizationName=FBI Science and Technology Branch
|OrganizationType=Administrative and Support Agencies
|Mission=To advance the FBI's investigative capabilities through scientific research, technological innovation, and forensic science. The branch supports the FBI's mission by developing and deploying advanced tools, techniques, and methodologies to solve crimes, protect national security, and enhance the effectiveness of law enforcement operations.
|ParentOrganization=Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
|OrganizationExecutive=Assistant Director
|Services=Forensic science; Criminalistics; Operational technology; Biometrics; Digital evidence analysis
|HeadquartersLocation=38.89514, -77.02498
|HeadquartersAddress=935 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20535
}}
{{Infobox law enforcement unit
| unit_name              = Science and Technology Branch
| image                  = Science and Technology Branch.png
| image_size             =
| alt                    = 
| caption                = Science and Technology Branch emblem
| dates                  = July 2006 – present<br/>({{Age|2006|7|0}} years)
| country                = [[United States]]
| agency                 = [[Federal Bureau of Investigation]]
| type                   =
| role                   =
| ops_juris              =
| command_structure      = 
| headquarters_label     = 
| headquarters           = [[J. Edgar Hoover Building]]<br/>[[Washington, D.C.]]
| coordinates            =
| motto                  =
| motto_translated       = 
| common_name            = 
| abbreviation           = STB
<!-- Structure -->
| subunit_type_label     =
| subunits               = {{Plainlist}}
* [[Criminal Justice Information Services Division]]
* [[FBI Laboratory|Laboratory Division]]
* [[Operational Technology Division]]
{{Endplainlist}}
<!-- Commanders -->
| current_commander      = Executive Assistant Director Robert Brown<ref>{{cite web |title=Robert Brown |url=https://www.fbi.gov/about/leadership-and-structure/fbi-executives/brown |website=[[Federal Bureau of Investigation]] |access-date=2022-08-16}}</ref>
| notable_commanders     = 
<!--Website --> 
| website                = 
}}
The '''Science and Technology Branch''' ('''STB''') is a service within the Federal Bureau of Investigation that comprises three separate divisions and three program offices. The goal when it was founded in July 2006 was to centralize the leadership and management of the three divisions.<ref name=":0" />  The mission of the STB is discover, develop, and deliver innovative science and technology so that intelligence and innovative investigation is enhanced.

== Leadership ==
The Science and Technology branch is currently overseen by Darrin E. Jones, who is the executive assistant director. Within the Science and Technology Branch there are three divisions. The first is the [[FBI Criminal Justice Information Services Division|Criminal Justice Information Services Division]], which is run by Douglas Lindquist.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/download/lindquist-testimony|title=United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary|website=www.judiciary.senate.gov|language=en|access-date=2019-05-02}}</ref> The second division is the [[FBI Laboratory|Laboratory Division]] which is overseen by G. Clayton Grigg.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fbi.gov/news/pressrel/press-releases/g-clayton-grigg-named-assistant-director-of-laboratory-division|title=G. Clayton Grigg Named Assistant Director of Laboratory Division|website=Federal Bureau of Investigation|language=en-us|access-date=2019-05-02}}</ref> Lastly, the Operational Technology Division is overseen by Brian K. Brooks.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fbi.gov/news/pressrel/press-releases/brian-brooks-named-assistant-director-of-the-operational-technology-division|title=Brian Brooks Named Assistant Director of the Operational Technology Division|website=Federal Bureau of Investigation|language=en-us|access-date=2019-05-02}}</ref> The Science and Technology Branch also has a workforce of over 6,200 employees: [[Special agent|Special Agents]], [[Forensic scientists|Forensic Scientists]], [[Intelligence analysis|Intelligence Analysts]], and Professional Support Personnel.<ref name=":0" />

== History ==
The Science and Technology Branch was founded by former [[Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation|FBI Director]], [[Robert Mueller]] in July 2006.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.fbi.gov/about/leadership-and-structure/science-and-technology-branch|title=Science and Technology Branch|website=Federal Bureau of Investigation|language=en-us|access-date=2019-04-08}}</ref> At that time the first executive assistant director, Kerry E. Haynes was appointed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://archives.fbi.gov/archives/news/pressrel/press-releases/fbi-director-mueller-names-kerry-e.-haynes-assistant-director-investigative-technologies-division|title=FBI — FBI Director Mueller Names Kerry E. Haynes Assistant Director, …|date=2016-12-07|website=archive.is|access-date=2019-05-02|archive-date=2016-12-07|archive-url=https://archive.today/20161207065546/https://archives.fbi.gov/archives/news/pressrel/press-releases/fbi-director-mueller-names-kerry-e.-haynes-assistant-director-investigative-technologies-division|url-status=live}}</ref> Following his leadership of two years Robert Mueller then appointed a new executive assistant director, Louis E. Grever in October 2012. Grever served for four years in this position<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fbi.gov/news/pressrel/press-releases/louis-e.-grever-named-executive-assistant-director-of-fbi-science-and-technology-branch|title=Louis E. Grever Named Executive Assistant Director of FBI Science and Technology Branch|website=FBI|language=en-us|access-date=2019-05-02}}</ref> until his replacement Steven Martinez took leadership on May 9, 2012.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fbi.gov/news/pressrel/press-releases/steven-martinez-named-executive-assistant-director-of-science-and-technology-branch|title=Steven Martinez Named Executive Assistant Director of Science and Technology Branch|website=FBI|language=en-us|access-date=2019-05-02}}</ref> In January 2014 Robert Mueller appointed [https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/louisville/special-agent-in-charge-amy-hess Amy Hess] as the new executive assistant director in which she served until she was promoted to the position of [[Special agent|Special Agent in Charge]] at the FBI Louisiana branch.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/louisville/special-agent-in-charge-amy-hess|title=Special Agent in Charge Amy Hess|website=Federal Bureau of Investigation|language=en-us|access-date=2019-05-02}}</ref> After her departure from the Science and Technology Branch in 2016, Robert Mueller appointed Christopher M. Piehota who is the current Science and Technology Branch Executive Assistant Director.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.executivegov.com/2016/08/fbi-appoints-christopher-piehota-as-science-tech-branch-executive-asst-director/|title=FBI Appoints Christopher Piehota as Science & Tech Branch Executive Asst Director|date=2016-08-24|website=Executive Gov|language=en-US|access-date=2019-04-08}}</ref>

== Organization ==
* Internet Governance Program Office (IGPO)
*5G Program Office
*Lawful Access Office 
*Criminal Justice Information Services Division (CJIS)
 Operational Programs Branch
 Information Services Branch
* Laboratory Division (LD)
* Operational Technology Division (OTD)
 Technical Operations and Development Branch
 Technical Collections Branch
 Technical Analysis Branch

== Departments ==
===Forensic Science=== 
Forensic Science is a service that is run and overseen by the Science and Technology Branch, and is used by local, state, and federal authorities. Forensic science covers a wide range of subjects including:

* Biometric Analysis, which provides training, reporting, testimony, and technical support for [[Fingerprint|latent print]] and DNA examinations.
* [[Scientific method|Scientific Analysis]], which provides reporting, training, testimony, and support for [[cryptanalysis]], chemistry, firearms, questioned documents, and evidence examinations.  
* Operational Response, which provides the collection, documentation, recording, preserving, and transporting of evidence. This includes chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear materials from crime scenes within the U.S. and abroad.<ref name=":0" />

===Operational Technology=== 
Operational Technology is a service that is run and overseen by the Science and Technology Branch, that is used for all operational aspects of FBI investigations and programs. The services that they offer include:

* [[Digital forensics|Digital Forensics]], which is the collection and examination of digital evidence that is gathered via computers, audio files, video recordings, images, and cell phones.   
* [[Surveillance|Electronic Surveillance]], which develops and deploys tools and techniques to lawfully intercept wired and wireless communication networks. This information can then be used to track, and locate interests vital to an operation.  
* Tactical Operations, which deploy systems, tools, and equipment used in specific entries and covert searches.<ref name=":0" />

===Information Sharing=== 
Information Sharing is a service that is run and overseen by the Science and Technology Branch which is used nationally and sometimes internationally to aid in the investigation and capture of wanted criminals and other important missions. They provide the following services:

* Crime Reporting, which is collecting, publishing, and archiving uniform crime statistics from nearly 18,000 reporting agencies. An example of this is the [[Uniform Crime Reports|Uniform Crime Report]].  
*[[Biometrics]], which is sharing, importing, and deciphering fingerprints, iris, and facial scans. 
*Law Enforcement Online, which is a closed communication network that allows law enforcement across the [[United States]] to share information.
*Criminal Background Checks for employers and federal/state commissions.
*Name Checks for firearm sales, which cross references names with vital information regarding the criteria for qualifying for buying a firearm.<ref name=":0" />

== Services provided ==

* The National DNA Index: an important service that is compiled by the STB. It consists of biometric data that is provided by over 190 public law enforcement laboratories. In addition to these national agencies, 90 international law enforcement laboratories that operate in over 50 countries also contribute to this index. The use of the National DNA Index is to help provide a connection between evidence left at crime scenes and a suspect.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fbi.gov/services/laboratory/biometric-analysis/codis|title=Combined DNA Index System (CODIS)|website=Federal Bureau of Investigation|language=en-us|access-date=2019-05-02}}</ref>
* The [[National Crime Information Center]] (NCIC): another important service that is regulated by the STB. The use of the NCIC is to compile all data regarding crimes within the United States. The service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year to all law enforcement agencies in the US. The NCIC compiles data such as property crimes, personal crimes, sex offenses, gang affiliations, witness protections, and the biometrics of those processed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/ncic|title=National Crime Information Center (NCIC)|website=Federal Bureau of Investigation|language=en-us|access-date=2019-05-02}}</ref> A sub department within this agency is tasked with the reconstruction of documents using pieces of chad (tiny bits of shredded paper). Over 400 small pieces of shredded paper make up a single 8x11 sheet of paper so it requires a large amount of work; the people tasked with this are formally known as questioned document examiners.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/2009/april/qdu_040909|title=Questioned Documents Experts|website=FBI|language=en-us|access-date=2019-05-02}}</ref>
* The Regional Computer Forensic Laboratory (RCFL): a service provided by the STB. This service provides support to federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies with regards to collecting and examining digital forensics. The Program supports investigations in the following fields:<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rcfl.gov/new-home-page|title=Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory (RCFL)|website=Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory|language=en-us|access-date=2019-05-02}}</ref>
 Terrorism 
 Child Pornography
 Crimes of Violence
 Trade Secret Theft
 Theft
 Financial Crime
 Property Crime
 Internet Crime
 Fraud
* The Regional Computer Analysis and Response Team (CART): is another service that falls under information sharing within the [[Federal Bureau of Investigation|FBI]]. This team is tasked with sifting through over 37,000 pieces of data a year in hopes to find connections to on going investigations. In 2015 CART analyzed over 9.77 [[Petabyte]]s of data, or 9,770 [[Terabyte]]s. CART has over 500 employees and consists of both private and public workers. They are located at the FBI's National Headquarters, but also have mobile units.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/piecing-together-digital-evidence|title=Piecing Together Digital Evidence|website=Federal Bureau of Investigation|language=en-us|access-date=2019-05-02}}</ref>
* The [[Uniform Crime Reporting Program|Uniform Crime Reporting]] Program (UCR) was established in 1929 with the task of compiling crime data such as murder, theft, rape, and robbery, from databases across the United States. Today the UCR is made up of four reporting programs:<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/ucr/nibrs|title=NIBRS|website=Federal Bureau of Investigation|language=en-us|access-date=2019-05-02}}</ref>
 [[National Incident-Based Reporting System|National Incident Based Reporting System]] (NIBRS)
 [[Hate Crime Statistics Act|Hate Crime Statistics]]
 The Summary Reporting System (SRS)
 Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted (LEOKA)

Today more than 18,000 agencies such as local, state, federal, and university contribute to the UCR and allow for 4 national reports each year.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/ucr|title=Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program|website=Federal Bureau of Investigation|language=en-us|access-date=2019-05-02}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{FBI}}
{{United States research agencies}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Federal Bureau of Investigation]]