Digital Evidence And Law Enforcement Essay

Cybercrime has experienced significant progress during recent years, as its advance is directly proportional with the advance of technology. In spite of the fact that the authorities devise new and better strategies to fight cybercrime, the fact that the number of people online is constantly increasing means that cybercrimes occur even more frequently. Dishonest people who seek opportunities have discovered how the internet stands as a perfect environment for them to commit crimes by taking as little risks as possible. Computer fraud generates a series of benefits for the person committing it, as he or she can either profit financially from the enterprise or can simply alter files in order for his or her image to be positively affected. Identity theft is a major form of cybercrime and it is essential for society to acknowledge the gravity of the matter in order to be able to effectively fight against criminals using it.

Digital forensics has always been known across technologists and law enforcement as the art of hacking into a computer and retrieving important information. Information that holds the key to important crimes and issues surrounding criminal activity. More importantly, digital forensics has the ability to make the non-believer surrounding a criminal case into a swift prosecutor ready to use his or her fullest extent of the law; regarding the sensitive data that comes out of that powerful piece of machinery as we know today as technology. Digital forensic scientists have begun to venture into the world of cloud computing and its familiar components. Components such as remote servers, web browsers, and web based media devices that are connected to the cloud.

The most up to date forms of web security cannot even keep up with the fraudulent ways of these criminals. Even though there are crimes that could be committed without the use of the internet, the internet provides these intelligent criminals with the information and tools to commit them with greater ease (Shinder). These criminals can acquire the information in a matter of mere seconds, leaving the internet user helpless and often unaware the attack even took place. Some cybercriminals are so talented, they commit these crimes out of “the sheer enjoyment in manipulating or "outsmarting" others” (Shinder). Governments all across the world may even seek out some of the world’s top cybercriminals to help them prevent from

The Internet crimes can often overlap between fraud and other crimes. Because of these overlapping crimes it is important the there is communication and cooperation between our own agencies and international agencies.

Electronic evidence is very fragile because it can be destroyed or altered very easily, therefore it is imperative that investigators follow very careful all the procedural steps when collecting electronic evidence (Diversified Forensics). Before any electronic evidence is gathered investigators should determine whether there is probable cause that a crime has been committed, or if the crime was committed somewhere else the investigator should determine whether the electronic evidence will aid the investigation process to prove or disapprove the crime, if a warrant is needed it must be obtained prior to collecting the evidence (Diversified Forensics). Hard drives, computers, and other electronic devices must be turned off, unplug all cables,

Data is crucial to the success of any company and they are now increasing their efforts in soliciting and retrieving customer data to learn more about their client's preferences, likes, and dislikes. This, among other factors has attributed to a growing field of data science where data scientists learn to collect crucial data. While there are many types of data, this paper will primarily focus on digital data and how digital scientists can retrieve these data to support provide information for the crown or for the defense. This area has received more attention because criminals such as terrorists have realized the effectiveness of using digital devices to aid in their criminal endeavors (Reith, Carr & Gunsch, 2002, p.2). To combat this, law enforcement agencies are now relying on digital scientists to preserve, collect, analysis and interpret "digital evidence derived from digital sources" (Vincze, 2016, p.184) to help prevent cybercrime and prosecute (or exonerate) suspects. The purpose of this paper is then to illustrate why digital forensic is crucial to addressing the new dangers presented in our society by analyzing the strengths and demonstrating why the weaknesses of the field

In the United States, local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, including FBI, Department of Homeland Security, among others, have taken on roles to fight computer crimes and terrorism. The roles and responses of these law enforcement agencies concerning digital crime have created challenges that limit enforcement efforts against digital crime.

Improvements in technology have demonstrated that with relative ease nefarious individuals can acquire various types of information with the use of computers, cellphones, tablets, databases and the internet. This information can be used for a large array of deeds, illegal activity being a major one. In an effort to combat this emerging type of crime, the Department of Justice, local law enforcement agencies, banks, retail stores, and investment firms are integrating computer forensics into their organizations. These crimes range from network security breaches at companies like Target and Home Depot to child pornography, the common thread is that the implicating evidence was found on an electronic media device.

Computers have evolved on how we communicate thru technology. People use technology in creative ways that can complicate the forensic analysis process, importantly when attempts are made to conceal digital evidence. The economy consists of millions of users spend hours surfing the web, stay up to date with current events, and take part in many activities.

Digital forensics has been responsible for putting away thousands and thousands of criminals. Ranging from simple crime computer crimes to child pornography. To get quality evidence that can be admissible in court there are steps that are needed in preparing a computer investigation. There are also requirements for data recovery, as well as procedures for corporate investigations. “Digital forensics has become prevalent because law enforcement recognizes that modern day life includes a variety of digital devices that can be exploited for criminal activity, not just computer systems. While computer forensics tends to focus on specific methods for extracting evidence from a particular platform, digital forensics must be modeled such that it can encompass all types of digital devices, including future digital technologies” (Reith, Carr, and Gunsch, 2002).

Technology is used in this world by many people. They use it to perform research, communicate, teach, perform medical procedures, commit a crime, and so forth. Since it can be used for various reasons, it can be also be used against a person in a court of law as evidence in a case. As technology advances and more people use technology for their own purposes, cybercrime also increases in society.

Law enforcement agencies, such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) place a high priority in cybercrime, and work diligently with Subcommittee’s and Congress to ensure that law enforcement and the private sectors have the tools and protections to combat such crimes. However, to effectively succeed with combatting cybercrime, coordination and cooperation among all levels of government and private sector companies is crucial.

Dedicated system forensics specialists have trained intensively in investigating digital incidents to determine magnitude of the situation. Since digital crimes are committed on devices over multiple computing platforms, it is essential for forensic specialist to have a broad knowledge on which tools and techniques yield best results. The information collected from devices may serve as useful evidence in a legal matter; you never want the gathering of data to be an issue during the trial proceedings. Dedicated system forensic specialists understand the advantage in preparing a chain of custody report; it documents who oversaw data recovery or imaging, when & where collection took place and how & who stored data, which all add evidentiary value to findings. Individuals not skilled in the digital investigative process may inadvertently contaminate, overlook or destroy evidences, or simply forget to document the collection process. The smallest omission & fallacy in evidence collection or documentation can cause finds to

The need for an increase in trained personnel in the criminal justice field with a sufficient level of knowledge and skills to investigate, detect, and prosecute high technology crimes is needed with the ever-increasing problem of technology crimes occurring throughout the world. Skilled investigators are needed to not only investigate and prosecute technology crimes, skilled investigators are needed to protect evidence found on computers and other portable devices so that arrests can be made. The most common form of damage or deletion of evidence is attributed to employee errors and omissions. Any organization that uses computers constantly faced with a “variety of potential problems that can lead to the disruption or, worse, destruction of

In a world where technology is increasingly becoming the way of life, it was only a matter of time before crime was no longer just in the streets but happening online as well. Criminals now get a new approach to carry out their crimes with the use of computers. Since technology is more like a murder mystery than catching the bad guy in the act, a new discipline of forensics needed to be put into place. This is known as computer forensics. Forensic science is any science used for the purpose of law. In the case of computer forensics it is “the discipline that combines elements of law and computer science to collect and analyze data from computer systems, networks, wireless communications, and storage devices in a way that is admissible as evidence in a court of law” (U.S. Cert, 2008). Meaning if you do something illegal on the Internet it can be found.