I am starting out in computer forensic investigation. I have eight years experience in the computer industry and five years experience in the security industry. I plan to merge these two streams with a qualification in computer forensics. I intend to gain a
What I would like to know, seeing as how computer forensics is a specialization that seems to favor those with experience in law or law enforcement, would I be better served by doing a conjoint degree in Law (Criminology)? This will extend my studies by an additional 2 years. Is it worth the effort, being that I would also need to work extra hard to get the conjoint degree?
As I mentioned, this is not necessary for the Master of Forensic IT qualification, but I am thinking more about prospective future employers rather than in just achieving the qualification itself. Any advice would be appreciated.
I was studying a double degree in Law and IT when I got into the field. I decided that I didn't need the law degree so I only graduated IT. I had about 2 years of law credits.
A decent knowledge of relevant laws is useful, but a law degree is unnecessary.
Thank you for your reply, Mr Patrick. I have studied some law papers as part of my work in the security industry, but that was mostly related to criminal law as relevant to a security officer (as in, how assertive I can be when apprehending a suspect or securing a crime scene). I have no experience as yet in collecting evidence, presenting evidence in court, etc. But it certainly wouldn't match your two years of Law credits.
EDIT I just want to cross-post a
Law is interesting and relevant to the subject matter, but 99% of the time you will be instructed by lawyers (if in the civil sector) or a corporate client who has a general counsel on the case. I can’t imagine a scenario where you would want to be directing the legal aspects of a case.
It also depends on area you go into, if you are involved in electronic discovery, you will be working on massive cases, with entire legal teams dedicated to the case, and your role will be work on processing the data and work on a strategy for culling and reviewing the data.
If its pure forensics you may be involved in the nitty gritty of the investigation, but your scope will normally be given to you by the client, and is often guided by cost as much as the law.
Also, I'd just like to say that I posted this question on my blog (which also shows on my LinkedIn profile), and cross-posted it here at Forensic Focus and at two other computer forensic / security related forums, and I got a response here first. I can truly see from this that Forensic Focus is the happenin' place to be! I can tell that I will enjoy my time here.
The benefit of Law Enforcement experience is knowing how to conduct an investigation, collect and analyze evidence, etc. This includes knowledge of the law but not knowledge sufficient to be a practitioner.
In the US, anyway, unless you are planning to provide legal advice or advice to other attorneys on computer forensics, a law degree can actually be a handicap. I was actually involved in a case where the other expert was a lawyer and most of his report was excluded from the case because the judge decided that it was not expert forensic evidence but simply legal opinion. Also, when working on cases involving lawyers, you'll be taking direction from the legal team. This might be a problem if your professional legal opinion or strategy differs from that of your client's attorneys.
As an expert, discussions with your client will not be protected by the attorney client privilege however, there are at least theoretical problems if you are wearing both hats.
Finally, there is the issue of marketing and cost. If you are selling your services as a CF expert, then the law degree can create product confusion issues. Are you a failed lawyer who got into forensics or a Cf expert who wants to practice law? Am I, the client, paying for your legal expertise or your expertise in forensics?
I'm not saying don't do it. I am saying that you need to think through what you really want to do with your training and expertise in order to determine whether a law degree makes sense.
Thank you seanmcl, the information that you gave is exactly what I was looking for. Such astute advice I could not gain locally! I have recently visited four university campuses (admittedly, only one offers a recognizable qualification in computer forensics per se), and none of their student advisers were able to offer such wisdom and clarity as I have seen here on the net. The wonders of this information age!
So thanks to seanmcl, Patrick4n6, and my contact from Wordpress, 585, I am now much better informed on the subject of whether or not to include Law in my studies. I have decided against adding the burden of studying Law as a conjoint degree, but will make an extra effort on the Law-related papers of my Master of Forensic IT when I get to that stage.
Again, thanks to those who replied, and thanks also to those who read this thread, encouraging me greatly by the number of views this thread had.