What Is A
Computer Forensics Expert?
The internet,
computer networks, electronic commerce, home computers, portable digital
devices and automated systems provide a range of opportunities in order to
commit criminal or unauthorized acts as
well as illegal activity. Computers and other digital devices are now being
used to commit, enable, and support these illegal activities that victimize
citizens, organizations as well as property. This is why computer forensics
have become an indispensable tool with regards to evidence gathering not only
for computer related crime but also for more traditional crimes like murder,
racketeering, drugs and fraud. The person doing this kind of forensic analysis
is called a computer forensics expert.
The first thing
that an expert does when arriving at a crime scene is to secure and evaluate
the scene of the incident. The securing part is usually covered by the
policemen at the scene with the expert helping only to secure the location
wherein the computer or other digital media is located. It is important that
the condition that the electronic devices where found in should not be changed.
In other words, devices that are turned on and running should be kept that way
and devices that are shut down should not be powered up.
Once this is
accomplished, the forensics expert then proceeds to locate and protect the
devices that contain volatile data. These kinds of data can be found on pagers,
PDAs, mobile phones as well as other similar devices. These devices have to be
protected physically as well as electronically. They also have to be properly
catalogued and documented in order for them to be used as evidence during legal
proceedings. One important thing to consider is the fact that the preservation
of computer evidence sometimes takes precedence over other physical evidence.
This means that the keyboard, mouse, diskettes, discs and other devices that
may have some form of physical evidence like fingerprints can only be processed
for them after all electronic evidence is fully recovered. This is because the
chemicals used to process fingerprints can damage the electronic equipment.
Forensics
experts work closely with other law enforcement personnel from processing a
crime scene to preparing evidence and presenting them during legal proceedings.
They can either be hired as freelance consultants or be directly employed by
the crime laboratory of a law enforcement agency. These experts make very
significant contributions to a lot of modern criminal cases thanks to their
forensic analyses.
In order to
become a computer forensics expert, you need to acquire all the
necessary skills as well as become certified by the government. There are a lot
of schools that offer specialized training on computer forensics that can teach
you everything you need to know in order to be certified.
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