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Anyone work in the UK Police service?

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Iceman_ali
(@iceman_ali)
Posts: 6
Active Member
Topic starter
 

I'm looking to kick start a career in computer forensics and in particular would like to work within law enforcement as a Forensic Computer Analyst. I graduated from university with an Honours degree in Computer science.

I was wondering if there was anyone on here who works in the UK police service as a forensic computer analyst or similar position who could answer a few questions.

I was told that if you are successful with an application you are sent on a training course that is equivalent to a masters degree. Do you know if this course is similar to those available at some universities or if focuses more on the law enforcement side of computer forensics.

Also could you list some of the software used on a daily basis.

Thanks if you can help out.

 
Posted : 29/03/2006 3:45 am
Wardy
(@wardy)
Posts: 149
Estimable Member
 

Hi,

I haven't heard of new recruits being sent on an "msc" style training course immediatly. There are msc courses and forensic practitioners do get to study these courses, but usually with some service behind them…

As for software, in our force we use the following -
Encase (Guidance Software)
Forensic Toolkit (Access Data)
SMART (ASR Data).

Encase and FTK both run in Windows, Smart is a superb linux based tool. All tools are very good to use and well worth a look at.

 
Posted : 29/03/2006 12:35 pm
Iceman_ali
(@iceman_ali)
Posts: 6
Active Member
Topic starter
 

Thanks for the reply.

Think I'll need to try find some more information about the common software used - all a bit expensive to try out though but I'm sure there will be articles discussing their uses and why they are the best software to use for different proceudres.
Thanks again.

 
Posted : 29/03/2006 8:00 pm
(@richardhall)
Posts: 9
Active Member
 

If you're not currently in the police, the normal entrant route is 2 years beat then specialise into something like becoming a network investigator on a regional high tech crime unit. They will likely put you through in-house training at Centrex, a couple of other short specialist courses with a small training company and then after a couple of years you might be considered for a sponsored PgCert or MSc course in forensic computing.

If you were applying to join a national team there are alot more training opportunities but at least some relevant experience/knowledge would normally be expected as they can pretty much headhunt the best.

Theres nothing (except for a general lack of thousands of pounds) to stop you enrolling in one of these courses by yourself and then joining the force on completion. I've noticed they all seem to be full time or part time in the UK at present, no distance learning courses available in this field as yet (please do correct me if you know of any).

 
Posted : 29/03/2006 8:10 pm
Iceman_ali
(@iceman_ali)
Posts: 6
Active Member
Topic starter
 

I'm based in Scotland and it seems that for the majority of the police forces in Scotland a lot of the recruitment for these types or roles are for non police officers - what they call force support.
I was considering joining the police force itself first to see if I could progress into a computer forensics role or similar work but I was told at a graduate recruitment event that primarily these positions will all be done by force support officers.

I'm going to see if I can get some information from the police recruitment to see if they can confirm this or if it would be possible to join the police and then try and specialise in this area.

Thanks for the reply - it's something I'll have to look into finding more information about.

 
Posted : 30/03/2006 3:53 am
Wardy
(@wardy)
Posts: 149
Estimable Member
 

Thanks for the reply.

Think I'll need to try find some more information about the common software used - all a bit expensive to try out though but I'm sure there will be articles discussing their uses and why they are the best software to use for different proceudres.
Thanks again.

Not necessarily….

ASR Data have a read only version of their software (runs without dongle) which they may be prepared to send you. I suggest making contact with them.

Alternatively if you're a Windows man, Try contacting Guidance Software for a demo copy of Encase - I was sent one when I explained I was joining the police.

I am not sure whether FTK has a read only version. Someone here may be able to correct me there, but it is certainly worth contacting them requesting a demo copy. You may get lucky.

Good luck.

 
Posted : 30/03/2006 7:25 pm
(@farmerdude)
Posts: 242
Estimable Member
 

AccessData will provide a demo of FTK, limited to 5000 files.

regards,

farmerdude

 
Posted : 30/03/2006 8:49 pm
Webbie
(@webbie)
Posts: 29
Eminent Member
 

If you join the Police you will have to spend at least 2 years ( probably more) in uniform. After 2 years you are eligible to apply for specialist posts. HTCU's are only small departments, made up of Police Officers and Support Staff. They are very competative departments to enter, and as already stated because of costs the HTCU's are employing more and more support staff. The problem here is the pay for support staff in the Police is far less than what can be earned in the private sector. If you wish to join the Police it has to be for the reasons that you want to be a 'Police Officer' per se, not a forensic/network officer. I am employed as a police officer in a HTCU and can assure you that the Police do not send new recruits an MSc courses.

 
Posted : 30/03/2006 10:39 pm
Iceman_ali
(@iceman_ali)
Posts: 6
Active Member
Topic starter
 

Thanks for the information.

I'll try get in contact with those companies to see if I can get hold of a demo version of their software. Would certainly be quite useful to have some experience of them.

I'm going to contact the police forces that are based near to me to find out the possible career paths and then decide from there what would be best for me to do.

Thanks again for the helpful replies.

 
Posted : 31/03/2006 5:16 am
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