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Computer Forensics Law Enforcement Case Study

¶ … computer forensics tools and processes used by investigators continually evolve and change over time. Although the material published in the 2008 version of the United States Attorneys' Bulletin includes some stalwart information regarding processes and procedures, the specific issues at stake will have changed drastically in the nearly 8 years since the issue was published. For example, the operating systems and encryption methods would have completely changed from 2008 until 2016. Carroll, Brannon & Song's (2008c) analysis of Vista and its file structure will be outmoded for many individuals or organizations under investigation. Therefore, great care should be taken when investing into computer forensics tools that may be outmoded. Using outmoded tools can seriously jeopardize an investigation and lead to serious loss of credibility on the part of the departments involved and their team leaders. At the same time, computer forensics experts do need to maximize knowledge of retrograde technologies because some evidence could be stored on older machines using older operating systems. Therefore, the most important tool in the computer forensics arsenal is training and education. Training and education must be ongoing and complete, erudite and state of the art. Computer forensics experts need...

If necessary, specialists can be called upon to offer additional expertise in the areas needed for an individual investigation. Great care must be taken when compiling the evidence in a report used in courts, given the sensitivity of the testimony and the sensitiveness of the evidence gathering procedures. Littlefield's (2008) advice regarding how to properly prepare and present forensic evidence is sound and solid, relying on case history in related areas.
Carroll, Brannon & Song (2008b) point out some of the salient procedures and tools used in computer forensics when examining large databases. Preliminary and ongoing concerns include the need to create data images because investigators should not be manipulating the original data file. Yet when creating images, quality loss and other issues may arise, leading to the need for the most advanced tools available. As of the time of writing, Carroll, Brannon & Song (2008b) state that creating exact copies is a time-consuming and difficult process but that systematic methods of creating images,…

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References

Carroll, O.L., Brannon, S.K. & Song, T. (2008a). Computer forensics. United States Attorneys' Bulletin 56(1): 1-8.

Carroll, O.L., Brannon, S.K. & Song, T. (2008b). Managing large amounts of electronic evidence. United States Attorneys' Bulletin 56(1): 46-59

Carroll, O.L., Brannon, S.K. & Song, T. (2008c). Vista and BitLocker and Forensics, Oh My! United States Attorneys' Bulletin 56(1): 9-28

Littlefield, M.J. (2008). Demystifying the computer forensic process for trial. United States Attorneys' Bulletin 56(1): 29-45
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