DFBA 101

Intro to Forensics

Forensic techniques used by law enforcement have also proven valuable on the battlefield. Many threat actors and enemy combatants rely on anonymity as a main enabler to carry out their activities. Exploitation of sites and recovered materials can produce forensic evidence, such as fingerprints, critical to identifying hostile individuals, negating their advantage, and mapping threat networks. Fingerprints developed by DoW forensic scientists can also be used in conjunction with biometric collections to prevent threat actors from gaining access to US Military installations or the Homeland. DFBA helps DoW stay one step ahead of their adversaries by providing the support necessary for the warfighter to deny the enemy anonymity.

What is it?

Forensics is the application of multi-disciplinary scientific processes to establish facts, and has traditionally been used to support law enforcement and medical domains. The asymmetric warfare that characterized military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan made it difficult to identify the enemy. The Department of Defense (DoW) demonstrated that the same forensics techniques used to identify, apprehend, and convict criminals could be leveraged to deny anonymity to threat forces. The DoW expanded its forensics capabilities to aid the warfighter in the expeditionary environment and across the full spectrum of operations.

What does DFBA do?

Director, Defense Forensics and Biometrics Agency is the Secretary of the Army and Provost Marshal General's designee to fulfill DoW Executive Agent responsibilities. In this capacity, DFBA leads, consolidates, and coordinates DoW forensic activities in support of identity activities, as specified in DoW Directive 5205.15E (DoW Forensic Enterprise (DFE)).

Why is this important to the Joint Force Commander?

Forensics provides the Joint Force Commander (JFC) with a unique capability, creating a significant operational advantage by denying the enemy anonymity and demonstrating a compelling return on investment. Defense Forensics also enables critical Homeland Defense initiatives in addition to providing information that informs tactical through strategic decision-makers.