What is Digital Forensics?
By Matt Brennan
When crimes are committed, it’s important to have experts ready who can quickly and easily find any type of associated electronic evidence, and that’s where digital forensics comes into play.
We’re all reading more about cybercrime, or computer crime these days. Internet fraud. Theft of corporate or customer payment data. Identity theft. Hackers seeking blackmail payments. All of these crimes involve evidence that resides somewhere on computers or electronic devices, and that evidence leaves a trail that can be found by the right experts.
The information that resides on the accused’s computer may be critical to either the prosecutors or the defendants in a case. Digital forensics can be used to analyze the contents of their computer, or electronic media. Complex methods are applied in order to find data that someone has often tried to corrupt, hide, or obscure.
For More Than Just Computer Crimes
Digital forensics could also be used in other criminal or civil circumstances as well. For instance, there may be digital evidence involved in a murder case that forensics experts can work to recover. The online purchase of what is now evidence, or social media conversations with friends could all shed a light on the crime.
There could also be digital evidence at the heart of a family dispute that turned into a civil case. Again, purchase receipts, online conversations, or other activities can all become critical to a court case.
Digital forensics could be used in business applications, outside a courtroom as well. For instance, it may be used in any internal corporate investigation, where it’s necessary for a company to understand the contents of employees’ computers.
The Digital Forensics Process
Digital forensics usually involves having a computer expert analyze the contents of the computer, or any type of device that stores digital data. It involves the acquisition or seizure of the electronic equipment, forensic imaging of data, and analysis of the digital media involved.
A report is typically given that may be entered into evidence of either a criminal or digital case.
What Can Digital Forensics Do?
As established above, digital forensics can be used in several ways. In addition to direct evidence, it can be used to:
- Confirm alibis or statements
- Determine intent
- Identify sources of information
- Authenticate documents in question
- Provide clarity in timelines
An Increasing Complexity
As more electronic and data storage devices flood the market on a regular basis, digital forensics has become an increasingly complex field. The process of extracting information or evidence from a mobile phone will be very different than extracting information from a desktop computer, for example.
If you find yourself in need of digital forensics services, it’s important to look for a company that can handle cases where the data may be obscured or difficult to find.
Hire a company that can recover:
- Deleted files
- Hidden or hard to find data
- Data that is lost due to software or hardware corruption
- Data that is corrupted through the physical damage of water, fire, or accident
Hire We Recover Data for Digital Forensics Work
We Recover Data is experienced in all facets of digital forensics. We offer data collection, processing, review and production as part of our services. Our team will provide evidence in whatever format is desired.
Our process is fast, reliable, and cost-effective for businesses and law enforcement agencies. Are you looking to hire an experienced digital forensics company? Contact us today!
