Computer evidence is data collected from a hard drive used in investigating a crime. Forensic experts protect and secure seized computers, and law enforcement professionals trained in data mining perform the process. Cyber evidence is found in various file types, including hidden caches. The process is conducted in specific stages, and the evidence gathered is admissible in court.
Computer evidence is data collected from a computer hard drive and used in the process of investigating a crime. Since it is relatively easy to corrupt data stored on a hard drive, forensic experts go to great lengths to protect and secure seized computers as part of the investigative process. Data mining must occur under highly controlled circumstances and must be performed by law enforcement professionals specifically trained in the process.
It is not uncommon for computers to be collected whenever they are found at a crime scene. For example, when an individual is found murdered in his or her home, there is a good chance that any laptop or desktop computer found at the scene will be confiscated. Similarly, if an individual is arrested on charges of some type of fraud or embezzlement, his personal and work computers are likely to be harvested for analysis by experts.
The process of searching for cyber evidence begins with a thorough analysis of all files found on the hard drive. To do this, the hard drive is carefully screened for any hidden or protected files that may not be immediately apparent. Because hard drives save copies of deleted files from public directories, experts involved in the forensic investigation will try to locate and extract the deleted files. This is important, as there is a possibility that they would include data that could confirm guilt or possibly provide evidence that the arrested individual was not involved in the commission of the crime.
Many different types of files can provide cyber evidence that can help solve a crime. Visual images, emails, spreadsheets, and other common file types can be encrypted and hidden in various caches on your hard drive. Experts know how to find these hidden caches, access them and view the contents of those caches. Many operating systems also automatically perform this function when files are deleted, creating copies that are placed in hidden caches. This means that even if the criminal has taken steps to erase incriminating evidence from the hard drive, there is a good chance that one or more of these hidden caches will be overlooked and could be extracted by law enforcement.
Computer evidence gathering is a highly skilled activity that is usually conducted in specific stages. Once the computer is confiscated, it is transported to a secure site. Only a limited number of authorized individuals have access to the system as it is mined for possible evidence. Because ripping and extracting is done under such stringent conditions, it’s virtually impossible for the hard drive to be tampered with. This makes it possible for all the evidence gathered to be useful in the ongoing investigation.
The use of computer evidence in court has gained more acceptance in recent years. Concerns about evidence being tampered with or damaged in years past have sometimes led to restrictions on how much computer-gathered evidence could relate to a given case. However, as law enforcement agencies have improved their methods of preserving and protecting hard drives from possible contamination, more legal systems around the world are considering cyber evidence fully admissible in a court of law.
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