Jude LaCour Blog

Computer Forensics plays an important role in law enforcement and prosecution. Forensic investigations could involve recovering hidden, damaged or corrupted files. Or perhaps decrypting password-protected or encrypted files, as well as recovering emails, chat data and other forms of online communication. The range of crimes that might require these services is extremely wide ranging and it’s increasing with advancement in technology. Some examples are copyright infringement, money laundering, blackmail or corruption. To be precise any crime in which relevant information is stored on a computer system. And in this techno-savvy world that could mean virtually anything.

An area of Scientific Expertise

Computer Forensics has become its own area of scientific expertise, with accompanying coursework and certification. Forensic investigators follow a standard set of procedures: After physically isolating the computer in question to make sure it cannot be accidentally contaminated, investigators make a digital copy of the hard drive. Once the original hard drive has been copied, it is locked in a safe or other secure storage facility to maintain its exact condition. All investigation is based on the digital copy. The investigators involved in this kind of investigation use a variety of techniques and proprietary forensic applications to examine the hard drive copy, searching hidden folders and unallocated disk space for copies of deleted, encrypted, or damaged files. Any evidence found on the digital copy is carefully documented in a “finding report” and verified with the original in preparation for legal proceedings that involve discovery, depositions, or actual litigation.

Computer Forensic Investigators are Extremely Professional

Computer Forensic Investigators are trained to be skilled on proper evidence handling and documentation. Equipped with investigative instincts and a logical thought process, these experts have the ability to operate on an extremely professional level and hence this kind of investigation is gaining in popularity in the US and other parts of the world.

While there are a number of services that a qualified computer forensic specialist can provide, below are some of the more important ones in investigating, recovering, and examining computer evidence.

1. The computer forensics team can ensure the safety and integrity of the computer or computer equipment as it is collected and brought to a laboratory or facility. This includes both the physical evidence and the digital data during transport.
   

2. Upon arrival of the computer or computer peripherals at the laboratory or facility, the computer forensics team can make sure that no damage will come to the item(s), nothing is compromised to reduce its value as evidence, and that it won’t be struck by data corruption or computer viruses that could make it unusable.
   

3. As part of the evidence gathering, the computer forensics team can uncover usually secure items like passwords, hidden files, deleted files that remain in the memory, and protected or encrypted files.
   

4. As part of data retrieval and recovery, the computer forensics team can find vital data that may have been temporary, hidden, or even deleted. This complex process requires accessing usually inaccessible sections of the computer to locate data that might be crucial to a case.
   

5. In addition, the computer forensics team can provide air-tight, step-by-step documentation of how they found the crucial digital evidence. With more and more technical evidence being contested in court, accurate documentation that can be replicated can win or lose a case whether it is used or thrown out.
   

Computer forensics and computer forensic specialists can play a vital role not only for law enforcement and the prosecution but also for the defense team and anyone suspected or charged with a crime.

Why Having Computer Forensics Specialist on Your Side Helps

A computer forensics specialist delivers key evidence just as crucial in supporting a defense team’s case as DNA evidence is. The specialist is knowledgeable in a wide range of computer hardware and software. In today’s complex, high-tech world, desktop computers, servers, laptops, PDA’s, Blackberry’s, and even cell phones hold vital data that might make or break a case. Therefore, having a computer forensics specialist or team on your side can provide you with an advantage.

Computer evidence exists in many more forms than paper and other physical evidence. With all these forms, you might not be fully aware of what evidence can help or hurt your case. Since a computer forensics specialist is trained on many computer hardware and software types, they can serve the discovery process well.

They can secure the integrity and safety of evidence during the on-site inspection. They can make sure that items are collected and transported securely. This includes when digital data must be forensically copied. The computer forensics expert can also efficiently identify where to look in the first place and what to look for. Small, easily dismissed items such as memos, spreadsheets, email attachments, and even discarded appointment reminders might have great value to a case.

A knowledgeable computer forensics professional will make sure to protect the evidence, including the following:

• That no possible evidence that might help a court case is overlooked.
• That no evidence is compromised or damaged by the process used to examine the computer or computer component.
• That all digital data is properly and impartially handled such as forensic duplication.
• That the continuing chain of evidence custody is not only well-established and maintained but also well-documented.
• That any information not considered evidence but might be confidential to a company or individual is ethically and legally handled.
• That any business under investigation is not impinged on for longer than necessary thereby not harming regular operations.

If you need Computer Forensic Consulting, please contact Jude LaCour Computer Forensics, http://www.jl-forensics.com/