Data forensics is a branch of digital forensic science. This pertains to legal evidence found in computers and digital storage media. The goal of data forensics is to examine digital media in a forensically sound manner with the aim of recovering, linking and understanding information. It is most often associated with the investigation of a wide variety of computer crime. However, computer evidence may also be used in civil proceedings. The discipline involves similar techniques and principles to data recovery, but with additional guidelines and practices designed to create a legal audit trail.
Data forensics has become a vital tool in providing evidence in cases such as computer misuse and attacks against computer systems. It is also used to trace lines of communication in traditional claims. This includes the forensic analysis and reporting of all digital media, regardless of the physical condition of the media, format or operating system. Forensic computing examinations by the computer expert should be in an understandable computer forensic analysis report. At the end of the thorough investigation, a report will be produced which will detail all findings. The computer forensics report will be simple to understand.
Using computer forensic experts, such as those at Data Forensics gives you confidence that the job in hand is being undertaken expertly. We always follow ACPO, (Association of Chief Police Officers) guidelines. All our computer forensic analysts are fully qualified to degree level and beyond. We are able to find deleted items, hidden files, password protected files and more. Computer Forensics can help Internal Audit, IT Service Desk, HR, Legal Services and Information Security. However, we also provide computer forensic analysis for smaller organisations and even home users, to determine what actions were performed by who and when.
Detecting data forensics crime is not always easy. Crimes can include Inappropriate Email Usage, Email Abuse, Digital Fraud, IP Theft, E-Stalking, Breach of Contract, Computer Break-ins, Internet Usage, Internet Abuse and Unauthorised Data Duplication. Electronic evidence can be easily corrupted due to a lack of knowledge and understanding of the basic principles. This can compromise a legal claim and destroy the legitimacy of any computer investigation. Only experienced computer forensic analysts should be used in these cases, so that evidence cannot be discredited.