What are computer evidence?
Computer evidence is the data that is harvested from the hard disk of the computer and used in the process of criminal investigation. Because it is relatively easy to damage data stored on the hard disk, forensic experts go largely to secure and protect computers that are confiscated as part of the examination process. The extracting of the data must take place under highly controlled circumstances and must be carried out by experts in the area of law enforcement who are specially trained in this process.
It is not uncommon for computers to collect whenever they are found at the crime scene. For example, when an individual is found murdered in his home, there is a great chance that any notebook or desktop computer found on the scene will be confiscated. Similarly, if the individual is arrested for suspicion of some kind of fraud or embezzlement, his personal and labor computers are likely to be collected for analysis of experts.
The process of searching for a computer's evidence begins with a thorough inspectionall files found on the hard disk. To achieve this, the hard disk is tightly proven for all hidden or secure files that may not be easy to see. Because hard drives store copies of files that are removed from public directory, experts involved in forensic investigation will try to find and extract files that have been removed. This is important because there is a chance that they would include data that could confirm the guilt, or maybe provide evidence that an individual was not involved in committing a crime.
Many different types of files can provide computer evidence that can help in solving a crime. Visual images, e -Maily, tables and other common file types can be encrypted and hidden in different cache on hard disk. Experts know how to find these hidden cache, approach them and look at the contents of these cache. Many operating systems automatically perform this function even if they are a fightRYTED, and produces copies placed in hidden cache. This means that even if the criminal has taken steps to eliminate the incriminating evidence from the hard disk, there is a great chance that one or more of these hidden cache is overlooked and can be extracted by coercive authorities.
Computer evidence collection is a highly qualified task that is usually performed in specific steps. Once the computer is confiscated, it is transported to a secure location. Only a limited number of authorized individuals have access to the system, while mining for possible evidence. Since mining and mining are performed under such strict conditions, it is virtually impossible for the hard disk to be manipulated. This allows any evidence collected to be useful in the ongoing investigation.
The use of computer evidence in court has gained greater acceptance of the last years. Concerns about manipulation or damage to evidence in previous years have ever led to limiting how much evidence collected from computers couldto carry. Given that the enforcement of law has strengthened its methods for maintaining and protection of hard disks from possible contamination, more legal systems around the world are considered to be fully permissible in court.