Computer forensic evidence trackers
The simple definition of computer
forensics is a technological, systematic inspection of the computer system
and its contents for evidence or supportive evidence of a crime or other
computer use that is being inspected. Computer forensics requires specialized
expertise that goes beyond normal data collection and preservation techniques
available to end-users or system support personnel. One definition is analogous
to "Electronic Evidentiary Recovery, known also as e-discovery, requires
the proper tools and knowledge to meet the Court's criteria, whereas Computer
Forensics is simply the application of computer investigation and analysis
techniques in the interests of determining potential legal evidence."
Another is "a process to answer questions about digital states and
events". This process often involves investigating computer
systems to determine whether they are or have been used for criminal, civil
or unauthorized activities. Mostly, computer forensics experts investigate data
storage devices, these include but are not limited to hard drives, portable
data devices (USB Drives, External drives, Micro Drives and many more).
Computer forensics experts:
Computer forensics investigative experts https://asginvestigations.com/attorney-services/computer_forensics/
Computer forensics is done in a fashion that
adheres to the standards of evidence that are admissible
in a court
of law.Thus, computer forensics must be techno-legal in nature rather than
purely technical or purely legal. Refer to Searching
and Seizing Computers and Obtaining Electronic Evidence in Criminal
Investigations for the US Department of Justice
requirements for Computer Forensices and electronic evidence processing.
Electronic evidence can be collected from a
variety of sources. Within a company.s network, evidence will be found in any
form of technology
that can be used to transmit or store data. Evidence should be collected
through three parts of an offender.s network: at the workstation of the offender,
on the server accessed by the offender, and
on the network that connects the two. Investigators can therefore use three
different sources to confirm of the data.s origin.
Like any other piece of evidence used in a
case, the information generated as the result of a computer forensics investigation
must follow the standards of admissible evidence. Special
care must be taken when handling a suspect.s files; dangers to the evidence
include viruses, electromagnetic
or mechanical damage, and even booby traps. There are a handful of cardinal
rules that are used when to ensure that the evidence is not destroyed or
compromised:
If such steps are not followed the original
data may be changed, ruined or become tainted, and so any results generated will
be challenged and may not hold up in a court of
law. Other things to take into consideration are:
In any investigation in which the owner of
the digital evidence has not given consent to have his or her media examined .
as in most criminal cases . special care must be taken to ensure that you as
the forensic specialist have legal authority to seize, image, and examine each
device. Besides having the case thrown out of court, the examiner may find him
or herself on the wrong end of a hefty civil lawsuit. As a general rule, if you
aren't sure about a specific piece of media, do not examine it. Amateur
forensic examiners should keep this in mind before starting any unauthorized
investigation.
Some of the most valuable information
obtained in the course of a forensic examination will come from the computer
user themself. In accordance with applicable laws, statutes, organizational
policies, and other applicable regulations, an interview of the computer user
can often yield invaluable information regarding the system configuration,
applications, and most important, software or hardware encyption methodology
and keys utilized with the computer. Forensic analysis can become exponentially
easier when analysts have passphrase(s) utilized by the user open encrypted
files or containers used on the local computer system, or on systems mapped to
the local computer through a local network or the internet.
http://www.us-cert.gov/reading_room/forensics.pdf
Computer forensic tools from
open source digital forensics
Some of the more common pitfalls that an
attorney can encounter when hiring a computer forensics expert or other
professional are easy to avoid and may save your case. Here are a few to keep
in mind:
Although when pressed, a computer forensics
expert can often get the job done and be ready for a deposition or trial in two
or three days, more often than not, problems can arise that will preclude us
from doing the best that we can for you. Sooner is always better than later for
a number of reasons. The best computer forensic investigator for the job may be
booked up, he or she may also have personal scheduling conflicts, they may need
to travel to get the job done and costs for that travel will obviously be
higher, some experts charge more for rush assignments, the information that the
computer forensics expert retrieves may yield far more places to look for other
supporting evidence but you are out of time, etc., etc., etc.
There are many experts to choose from, but
few are the right ones for your assignment. As with any business person, the
forensic computer investigator knows how to sell her or his services. Computer
forensics can be very complicated work, particularly in a network environment.
If the answers seem too simple, move on. Be careful that they are the right
expert and not just an expert with the right answers. Some important questions
to ask include: Are they licensed private investigators or simply some guy with
forensic software? (The later knows how to run a search program but has little
or no understanding or investigations and how to get you everything) What is
their history in court? Who else do they work for? These and may more questions
should be asked before a decision is made.
The lowest cost computer forensic expert is
likely to make the worst expert. The reality about this work is that those who
are truly qualified to help your client cannot offer their services for
$2,000.00. To expend the time, energy and resources needed to do even the
simplest computer forensics, it is not possible to run a profitable computer
forensics practice and charge rates that low. If the expert is a good one, they
will know that they are worth more. True experts do not .discount. their fees.
Providing your computer forensics expert
with all of the information they need to conduct a complete, accurate and
thorough investigation is a must, anything less, despite the excuse, will
certainly put your client.s case at risk. If for some reason you do not have
access to everything you need, let your forensics expert know ahead of time. With
the current case law extending your privilege to your private investigator, it
may make more sense to have the computer investigators work directly with the
client. One of the worst things you can do is hide information from your expert
just because it doesn't support your theory. When aware of everything, the
computer forensics investigator can be prepared and honest without accidentally
taking you down the wrong path.
Not only are most of our findings very black
and white, we are experts and labeled as such for a reason. It is unlikely that
any reputable expert will agree to endorse something unorthodox or illicit. We
undergo extensive training not only to become experts but also in investigative
ethics. If we tell you that your theory is not supportable, please respect our
expertise. Once we give you the evidence found on a hard drive or other storage
media, you can form a defensible legal theory that will work.