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What does a Computer Forensics Examiner do?

G. Wiesen
G. Wiesen

A computer forensics examiner typically works as part of a law enforcement agency or police organization in analysis and interpretation of computer data for investigation of a crime. The specific tasks carried out by this type of forensics examiner usually involve computer data and can include anything from analysis of metadata on an e-mail to imaging and analysis of a computer hard drive. Other common tasks include re-creation of deleted computer files and use of various software programs to evaluate computer evidence and properly document the process for use in court. A computer forensics examiner will also often provide testimony in court regarding computer evidence that was found and used during an investigation.

Much of the work done by a computer forensics examiner takes place during a criminal investigation or civil discovery process. For criminal investigations, this work usually involves examination and analysis of hardware, software, and computer files to provide evidence regarding a suspect or build a case for the guilt or innocence of a suspect. In civil discovery, the work performed by a computer forensics examiner is often used to determine if someone is lying or misrepresenting the facts in a case.

A computer forensics examiner may be called upon to provide court testimony.
A computer forensics examiner may be called upon to provide court testimony.

Regardless of the type of case being worked on, a computer forensics examiner will typically examine large amounts of computer data. This can include computer hardware, such as hard drives or discs, and data files, such as e-mails and documents on a computer. Using specialized software and a variety of techniques, a computer forensics examiner can re-create deleted files on a system, determine where an e-mail may have been sent from, and read encrypted files. Throughout the late 20th and early 21st centuries, the work done by computer forensics examiners led to arrests in numerous cases, including the infamous “BTK” killer who was caught in 2005 due to metadata on a floppy disk he sent to police that indicated his first name and a location in which the disk had been used.

A computer forensics examiner can analyze and recover data from a computer's hard drive.
A computer forensics examiner can analyze and recover data from a computer's hard drive.

A computer forensics examiner will also typically work after an investigation to provide court testimony and expert opinions on a case. As the examiner works on an investigation, he or she will document each step and the work performed to meet the standards of evidence that will be introduced in a court case. Once this is complete, he or she may need to present the work and defend it against cross-examination by an attorney. A computer forensics examiner will also typically have to explain the methods used to find evidence in a way that judges and jury members can effectively understand.

Discussion Comments

Melonlity

@Soulfox -- True, but there are ways to get rid of files you don't want and cover your tracks. People can destroy hard drives so they can never be read again and there are ways to cover your tracks online through proxy servers.

Bear in mind that I am not advocating doing illegal things and taking steps to evade computer forensics experts. What I am saying is that some people have very good and legitimate reasons to keep their privacy intact when working on computers. There are ways to remain anonymous online and to keep private activities private.

Soulfox

Something that people should keep in mind if they want to do illegal things with their computers is that those computer forensics specialists are darned good at what they do. Think you deleted an incriminating file? The chances are good that it can be recovered by someone who knows what he or she is doing. Think you are anonymous online? Think again.

That might sound a bit daunting, but it should not be that way. No, if you keep your nose clean, then you won't have anything to worry about, will you?

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    • A computer forensics examiner may be called upon to provide court testimony.
      By: qingwa
      A computer forensics examiner may be called upon to provide court testimony.
    • A computer forensics examiner can analyze and recover data from a computer's hard drive.
      By: merydolla
      A computer forensics examiner can analyze and recover data from a computer's hard drive.
    • A computer forensics examiner will typically examine computer hardware, such as hard drives or discs, and data files, such as e-mails and documents on a computer.
      By: Nneirda
      A computer forensics examiner will typically examine computer hardware, such as hard drives or discs, and data files, such as e-mails and documents on a computer.
    • The “BTK” killer was caught by computer forensics examiners due to metadata on a floppy disk he sent to police.
      By: Iakov Kalinin
      The “BTK” killer was caught by computer forensics examiners due to metadata on a floppy disk he sent to police.
    • Computer forensics and data recovery are specialties within the computer science field.
      By: diego cervo
      Computer forensics and data recovery are specialties within the computer science field.