Marc Rogers, associate professor of computer technology and chairman of Purdue's cyber forensics program, has coordinated a program in which Purdue interns help detectives use software—purchased with a $6,500 grant from the Wal-Mart Foundation's Good.Works. program—that can make exact copies of hard drives, allowing police to check Internet records, e-mails and files on a different computer.

In turn, the students get real-world experience on investigations that have included child solicitation, identity theft and homicide—along with course credit. The eventual goal is for the police department to become self-sufficient.

Detective Paul Huff, evidence technician at LPD, said sending seized computer equipment to an outside source typically costs the department $200 to $300 an hour. Working with Purdue is free.