What Is A Computer Forensics Expert?

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.