Beaumont City Guide

Computer Forensics is akin to investigating DNA, controlled substances, and finger prints. Often pictures of fingerprints with computer code are used to advertise computer forensic education and forensic investigative companies. Computer Forensics is the duplication of stored data and the analysis of this data for criminal and civil legal proceedings.

A ‘forensic image’ is a bit by bit duplication of a hard drive, cell phone, or other digital device. This image is used by judges, attorneys and law enforcement to prosecute criminals involved with crimes ranging from stock market fraud to embezzlement. On a computer’s hard drive, many pieces of evidence are left behind. This evidence, though thought to be deleted, can be brought back to the forefront and viewed. As well, passwords and encrypted files will sometimes hamper the investigation, but with some software and large computer processors, these codes are overcome, revealing hidden files.

In our everyday worlds, domestic conflicts unfold and parents are moved to know what is on their children’s devices. Bullying and other harassment is more common than we usually want to admit. In cases where adolescent problems are evident, examining personal devices and computers can reveal text message conversations, computer instant messaging talks, and deleted emails. These files are used to rectify problems at hand. This same type of investigation is used when a husband and wife are having problems and are moving towards marriage dissolution.

Awhile ago I was hired by a computer forensics company to work as a consultant. This is a term that mingles detective work, marketing, and sales. Forensic investigative work takes years of training and passing several certifications, like IACIS, the International Association of Computer Investigative Specialists. After a crash course in computer forensics, I continued my research.

Computer forensics is an expanding field because more people are becoming sophisticated in computer use, and some of these people use computers and other digital devices for criminal purposes. The growth in this field ranges from 22 to 27 percent through 2018. This growth is reflected from the increase in private investigators and computer support related jobs. (As per geteducated.com.) Much of the information I find related to contemporary news in computer forensics is new programs being offered by universities and colleges. Other news is related to new labs being opened both privately and by the national government.

Some of the information I follow is related to spamming, hacking, cyber stalking, and other computer crimes. These articles are growing in number, with the perpetrators ranging in age from teens to older adults. Criminal activity can take the form of securities fraud, embezzlement, and data theft.

Attorneys are involved. They are on both sides of criminal and civil cases that relate to computers. They are educating themselves in computer forensics to be able to hire smart, efficient people to care for their evidence and subsequent investigation of the data recovered. Attorneys have found they are learning a new technique in litigation.