Investigators of the Year
Scott L. Kerns
Special Agent
SA Kerns is a tireless worker who continuously strives to improve and perfect the technical capabilities of Squad SO-1. In his day to day efforts, SA Kerns maintains and troubleshoots the Demon system which collects fax transmissions and the Coolminer system which collects broadband data. SA Kerns will go out on site and install data capturing hardware at internet service provider host facilities to affect the capture of data. This entails strong interpersonal liaison with both the outside providers and our commensurate units at the Engineering and Research Facility (EIW) at Quantico. Throughout the past year, SA Kerns has set up the networks to deliver the evidence gathered by the Coolminer system out to the RAs in Hudson Valley, LIRA and White Plains. Coolminer is a system which allows the investigating agent to view the web pages a subject will be visiting on his of her own computer. Now those CT agents can review the material closer to the areas they might have to respond to. Recently, SA Kerns was instrumental in procuring from Headquarters the delivery of a Fifth Redwolf System for the New York Division. Just this past weekend of September 6, 2008, SA Kerns has finished engineering the installation of this fifth system and has successfully tested it to the point that the NY division will begin to put new FISA collections on it. New York was on the precipice of full capacity on the four systems it had already. This fifth system will give the NY the much needed breathing room for special events that require impromptu vast collections. Another project SA Kerns has overseen is the transitioning of the Demon System, which is a fax intercept platform, into the all inclusive Redwolf system. The importance of this project is to give the FISA agent one stop shopping for microphone, telephone and fax intercepts. Not only does Kerns install these breakthrough systems but he also conducts training sessions for the CT and CD agents on a periodic basis. SA Kerns is adept enough to know that you can have a plethora of technical equipment, but if people don't know how to use it, then the equipment itself is useless. Consequently these vital training sessions ensure, that the evidence being gathered is reviewed and analyzed. Finally and most importantly, SA Kerns is an active member of the New York Swat Team and therefore carries out the noblest task of continually putting his life on the line for the American Public.