The state's new computer- crime center signals greater cooperation between federal and state police, which is key to the future of the FBI, its director said Tuesday.

Robert Mueller helped officially open the S.C. Computer Crime Center at a St. Andrews area office building.

The $5.6 million center, where more than a dozen state and federal agents will use the latest technology, is the nation's first statewide cybercrime lab. It also will be used to fight terrorism.

"I see this as a model here in South Carolina - not only in the cyber arena but as a model for law enforcement across the country," Mueller said.

"The future of the FBI will be successful only to the extent that we are successful in establishing close and abiding relationships with our law enforcement counterparts," Mueller said. "If we cannot work together, we will fail."

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