WASHINGTON, DC In an effort to improve forensic research in Rhode Island, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has notified Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) that the University of Rhode Island will receive $599,793 for improved computer software technology.URI will receive two separate grants through the National Institute of Justices Electronic Crime Research and Development Solicitation program. The first grant of $199,957 will be used to develop software to assist computer forensic specialists in cases that involve searching for images of humans, such as victims of child pornography. Currently, specialists must manually search through images that may be found on a seized hard drive. This new software will automatically detect high concentrations of skin tones in image files and mark these files for subsequent manual investigation, saving large amounts and time and effort. The new software will also be able to authenticate computer-generated images, a key piece of evidence in child pornography cases. A second grant of $399,836 will be provided to URI to synthesize existing Steganography detection techniques. Steganography is used to obscure data by embedding bits of invisible information in files or messages that seem harmless.Reed stated, It is essential that our crime research institutions are able to keep up and anticipate new advances in computer technology in order to track down criminals including child predators. This funding will help the University of Rhode Island to develop new technology to aid law enforcement across the state.The DOJs National Institute of Justice supports research and development of new technology to support the criminal justice system.In 2000, Reed was a cosponsor of legislation to provide grants to improve the quality and efficiency of forensic science services in crime laboratories, providing a minimum amount of funding for each state, helping smaller states like Rhode Island. Two years later, he voted to improve the law by expand the availability of grants to local programs as well as to states.