What Is Computer Forensics
What is forensic science, and how has it transformed the world that we live in? Forensic science refers to the use of scientific methods and critical thinking to solve crimes. Thus forensic science involves criminal law, as the forensic scientists help provide hard (scientific) evidence for a crime that has occurred so that the correct person is implicated and punished. While computer forensics is the accumulating, examining and reporting on digital data. It is used for the effective uncovering and deterrence of crime that involves stored questionable digital information.
Forensic Science s a matter that derives itself from a variety of other subjects such as Chemistry, Physics, Psychology and the Social Sciences. While its key purpose is to aid criminal investigations, it is also used in Archeology, Anthropology, Astronomy, and Biology etc. Forensic science is used for the scientific evaluation of blood samples, bones, DNA so that linkages or valid patterns can be effective formed. It has been successful applied in crime reconstruction, fingerprint analysis, age estimation, pathology, linguistics, and connecting physical evidence in homicides (as well as other departments).Computer forensics is a contemporary subdivision of “Forensic Science”. It use was first realized in the 1980s, when the first crime cases involving computers (mainly financial fraud) came to the notice of investigators and law officials. Financial investigators recognized that in some cases all the data that was needed as proof was only found in the respective computers used. Consequently, a few years later Norton Utilities created an “un-erase” tool, which helped locate the evidence to charge the criminals. In 1984, a subdivision of the FBI “CART” was created in order to deal with virtual crime such as fraud, cyber attacks in the form of botnets, hacking, phishing and spamming. While in 1998, the G8 appointed IICE to create international principles guidelines and procedures relating to digital evidence.
Computer Forensics is useful in controlling cyber crime. It achieves this through a variety of computer software. The activities that are involved in accomplish this task include packet sniffing, IP address and email address tracing. While Forensic science also helps determine the cause of death by studying post- mortem variations, blunt injuries, scorches and burns. Its developed medicine is useful in determining child-abuse, defensive injuries, gunshot abrasions, self-afflicted wounds as well as sexual assault. Biometrics is merged with forensics to detect the fingerprint of the criminal using the objects existing in the present crime sight.
However there are various drawbacks of Computer Science in relation to the ethical and privacy issues that arise out of its use. It is difficult to maintain the privacy and confidentiality of the information acquired through this process therefore it is unethical. The information gathered through it is not always available for use. It might be accidently altered by the investigator, computer evidence is difficult to verify -whereas it requires precise and accurate analysis. Hence it is difficult to be a Computer Forensic Scientist, as few people possess the wide array of the skills needed. Furthermore, the equipment required for these processes is expensive and not readily available.
As a result, even though Forensic Science continues to develop new ways to assist Criminology and Pathology departments throughout the world. There is a need for advancement in its processes and techniques. If we are to combat and successfully investigate the growing number of crimes that take place, we need Computer forensics to innovate further, and make its essential apparatus cheaper as well as readily available.
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