Computer forensics is an exciting branch of computer forensics pertaining to digital evidence located in computers and other digital storage media. This evidence may include any text, audio, video, or computer-generated file. In order to properly investigate any situation that involves digital evidence, it is important for computer forensics experts to be skilled in several different disciplines. This forensics expert should have solid mathematical skills, good programming skills, experience using various computer systems, knowledge of the legal system, and information technology skills.
Due to the specialized nature of computer forensics, many computer forensics experts are also attorneys, including computer forensics investigators, computer crime lawyers, and computer forensics analysts. These specialized professionals often work together as a team to investigate crimes. Often times, these experts are integral parts of prosecution teams because they provide important information that can help prove the guilt or innocence of a computer crime suspect.
In most cases, computer forensics experts will work directly with law enforcement agencies. They may, however, also collaborate with agencies from other jurisdictions such as the FBI or Homeland Security Agency. Some states such as Arizona, Connecticut, and Oregon allow private computer forensics experts to consult with state law enforcement agencies on a voluntary basis. The majority of private computer forensics consultants are independent contractors who contract with law enforcement agencies on a contractual basis. Many private computer forensics consultants start out working directly for defense law firms and then move on to working for government agencies.
Computer forensics software is an important part of the tools and techniques used by computer forensics experts. It is designed to effectively analyze digital data found on any computer and to extract information related to an investigation. There are many types of computer forensics software. These include core dumps, log backups, memory dumps, stack traces, and trace files. Computer forensics software helps law enforcement officials and private computer forensics consultants efficiently and accurately collect and interpret evidence from any computer.
Computer forensics professionals can use the extracted data in court cases. Evidence from a computer forensics examination can be presented in court during a trial. In some cases, computer forensics experts are asked to provide testimony regarding the data in an attempt to prove a person’s innocence. Experts can determine what programs were installed on the computer in the first place. This type of evidence is often necessary to prove innocence in a child pornography case. It can also be used to determine whether or not a computer user intentionally visited a pornography site.
Computer forensics professionals can investigate computer crimes against children in a variety of ways. Computer forensics professionals can investigate computer scams that use computers to transmit harmful software to children. They can also investigate crimes against adults including identity theft. Forensics professionals can also document crimes against children using specialized computer software. This documentation can be used in a court case or in juvenile court cases.
Computer forensics professionals have made great strides in investigating computer crimes against children. Computer forensics teams have learned how to recover deleted information from computers. They have created complex investigations to track down computer criminals. These teams have used state of the art computer software to recover evidence from computers, and they have helped to put these computer crimes against children behind bars.
Today, computer forensics professionals have the skills it takes to expose and investigate computer crimes. They know how to access private computer systems and retrieve evidence from remote locations. They know how to subpoena computer related documents, make contact with computer criminals, and determine their location. If you have been accused of a crime involving a computer, it is important to consult with a professional forensic computer investigator to learn more about your rights.