Private Investigators perform computer forensics for many reasons, usually having to deal with crimes.
Did you know computers can be considered the “scene of the crime,” when referring to hacking or denial of service attacks? Computers can hold the following evidence:
- Emails
- Internet history
- Documents
- Other files related to crimes
The types of crimes in which computer forensics can be helpful are:
- Murder
- Kidnap
- Fraud
- Trafficking
A Private Investigator will perform a computer exam to unearth not only the content of the documents, emails, and files, but also the associated metadata. The map of who was accessing what and when is very important when building a case for a small business.
A computer forensics exam performed by a Private Investigator may explain when a document was first created or when it first appeared on the computer. It can even tell you when it was edited last, when it was saved, and/or when it was printed.
Types of cases in which computer forensics have been used include, but are not limited to:
- Intellectual Property theft
- Invoice fraud
- Inappropriate email and internet use at work
- Regulatory compliance
- Employment disputes
- Forgeries
When a Private Investigator performs a computer forensics exam, they keep permissibility at the forefront of the investigation. Evidence found needs to be permissible in court if the exam is being performed for a legal case.
There are six steps to performing a computer forensics exam. Those six steps are:
- Readiness
- Evaluation
- Collection
- Analysis
- Presentation
- Review
When a Private Investigator is performing a computer forensics exam, they are trained to combat the following roadblocks:
- Encryptions
- Increasing storage space
- New technologies
- Anti-forensics
- Legal issues
- Administrative issues
Computer forensics exams can reveal a lot of information, especially if the scene of the crime is the computer, or if the computer is considered evidence. The Private Investigator always keeps in mind that whatever information is found on the computer must be admissible in court.
If you need a computer forensics exam performed, CIAPI can help.
Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication at the time it was written. It is not intended to provide legal advice or suggest a guaranteed outcome. Individual situations will differ and the law may have changed since publication. Readers considering legal action should consult with an attorney to understand current laws and how they may affect a case.