Digital Evidence and Computer Crime

Computer forensics are used in many fields, from legalities involving trade secrets to prevention of computer-related fraud; however, more and more computer forensics are being used to help solve crimes of all kinds. Computer forensics have both obvious and less obvious implications in a criminal court and are a helpful new tool for prosecutors and police alike.

What potential sources of digital evidence do you find at a crime scene? First of all, what is digital evidence? Digital evidence is any information or data of value to an investigation that is stored on, received by, or transmitted by an electronic device. Also, Digital evidence or electronic evidence is any probative information stored or transmitted in digital form that a party to a court case may use at trial. Text messages, emails, pictures and videos, and internet searches are some of the most common types of digital evidence. Most criminals now leave a digital trail;

Digital evidence is defined as being evidence that takes form as electronic data, or information stored in bits and bytes on magnetic media. Digital evidence cane range from photos, videos, text documents, internet activity logs, phone numbers, or any other data that is stored electronically that has involvement with a criminal case. Devices that can hold digital evidence are personal computers, computer media, disks, CDs, DVDs, etc. and cellular phones or similar all into one devices and many other types of devices as well. When preserving digital evidence extreme care must be taken. Investigators are sworn in to never change or altar evidence digital or not. Digital data however is very fragile and extra care is imperative. So the first and foremost concern when dealing with digital data is to preserve all data on the hard disk drive or other computer media in a pristine, unaltered, unharmed and unchanged manner.

Based on Dauphin County First Assistant District Attorney Fran Chardo, “We become a very electronic-oriented society.” (Marc Goodman). With this increase usage of electronic, we see a new set of criminals and crimes. With the cellular telephone, criminals use it, not only to communicate with one another, but also to target people and as a triggering device. For example, if the criminals are searching for someone they can text each other with the description of a person and then upon verification proceed with an order, possible death. With this same cellular telephone technology, law enforcement can use someone’s cellular telephone to track their movements or identify their location to help with investigations. The new set of crimes is cybercrimes. A cybercrime is any crime that involves the use of computer or the manipulation of digital data. Zackary J. Miller, section Chief of the FBI’s Cyber Criminal Division stated, “I think there is a growing cybercrime problem that we are continuing to chase a bit behind the curve… bank robbery and fraud are all facilitated by the internet.” (Bernice Young, 2011). There are five types of computer crimes: (1). internal computer crimes, such as viruses; (2). internet and telecommunication, which is hacking; (3). criminal enterprises, databases supporting drug distribution; (4). computer manipulation, embezzlement; and (5). hardware, software, and information theft. (Schmalleger,

There are four major categories in computer crime. The first is the computer as a target. Then would come the computer as an instrument of a crime. Followed by computer as an incidental to a crime. Not to mention crimes associated with the prevalence of computers. These four major categories are what contributes to digital crimes, involving the worldwide web.

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.

With the dramatic development in the technology of computers and communications, the entire world has certainly benefited a great deal, but the purchase price of computers might also be very expensive. Computer crimes are now becoming very serious problems that are costing as much as billions of dollars. Also, computer crimes are threatening the continuing future of communication, confidentiality, and even the integrity of businesses and organizations.

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).

The fourth spoke on the wheel of terrorism is “computer crime”. The use of computers can be used in a good way or can also be abused. Cyberattacks are a huge threat to our national security and technological infrastructure.

The amount of users on the Internet today and the possibility of each user utilizing multiple devices which are connected to the Internet can pose an enormous amount of work for a digital forensic investigator. A digital forensic investigator will almost always find the need to examine artifacts that are associated with the suspect or victim related to their activity on the Internet. A careful evaluation of the type of Internet activity related to the case in which the suspect is involved is an effective practice for the digital forensic investigator (Rogers, Goldman, Mislan, Wedge, & Debrota, 2006).

New types of Internet-related crimes have emerged. threats to individuals, also called personal cyber-crime, is to illegally obtain the identity of electronic individuals, such as their e-mail and password, and also extend to e-impersonation. For example, dragging images and important files from the victim's device to threaten them and subject them to orders. Also, threat to Property This type of crime targets government, private and personal entities. For instance, destruction of important files or proprietary software, through malicious programs transmitted to the user's device in several ways, notably e-mails. Likewise, there are threats that target governments - hacker attacks on official government websites and network systems. To eliminate or destroy the infrastructure of the site or network system, these attacks are often politically targeted.in addition to that, Political threats that focus on targeting the military positions of some countries to steal information related to state security. To emphasize, Spyware by sending programs to the computer to obtain confidential military

Digital forensics is almost like observing someone’s complete psyche, you see that person likes and dislike. You are viewing their hates and love; you are finding things they don’t want to share with anyone else in the entire world. Using digital forensics is extremely perplexing with the obligation of interpreting the digital forensics that are located in an investigation.

This paper will help explain the basic understanding of computer forensics. I will also identify five areas in computers and computer application a forensic investigator can look for digital evidence. I will identify three types of criminal investigations that can utilize the services of computer forensic investigators. This paper will help with the understanding of computer forensics.

Digital forensics is an ever changing field and the number of examinations being performed by digital forensic laboratories is constantly growing. Because investigations often rely on the results of these examinations, particularly those cases built on the digital evidence, investigators need to be able to provide results as soon as it is possible. To meet the growing demand and customer needs, ongoing research and development is needed in the creation of tools that will increase efficiency of digital forensic examinations. To improve efficiency and effectiveness in forensic processes, investigators should concentrate on specific areas including preparation and preservation, extraction and storage, examination and reporting, sharing, correlating

We live in the information age; the way people communicate and practice business has changed tremendously. Everyday new technologies such as: operating systems, applications and automated software make our lives easier. As computer technologies continue to grow, the necessity of securing private information has not been an easy task for computer networking administrators and information security teams. For digital forensic investigators, staying on top of rapidly evolving technologies had become an everyday challenge. Therefore, there are several factors that play an important role to be successful in digital forensics career. First, you must become familiar with the newly OS platforms. Secondly, continuous testing, evaluation and research could expand the capabilities of a forensic lab. Lastly, forensic investigators should maintain connections with a