This quarter’s edition of our legal update starts with a look at improving digital forensics experts’ credibility, as well as the reliability of the evidence they find — all while dealing with rapidly advancing technology. Two recent academic papers, plus … Read more
Legal
Forensic Focus Legal Update April 2021: Balancing Privacy And Investigation
Privacy is a major theme in this quarter’s legal update, which covers the latest developments with the European Union’s ePrivacy Initiative, some new laws in the United States, recent court decisions, and law enforcement access to third-party data. We also … Read more
Forensic Focus Legal Update December 2020: Refining Search & Seizure; New Laws & Guidance
The fourth quarter of 2020 has seen some significant legal developments when it comes to digital evidence. In this issue (which also happens to be the anniversary of the inaugural Forensic Focus Legal Update), we highlight:
- Search warrant reform
25 Days, 25 Questions: Part 3 – Professional Digital Forensics Qualifications In Court
Editor’s note: This article continues our four-part series written by Mr. Santosh Khadsare, our guest digital forensics expert from New Delhi, India, based upon his recent LinkedIn series, #25Days25Questions. Part 1 and Part 2 have been published. More about … Read more
Forensic Focus Legal Update September 2020: Evidence, Experts, And Due Diligence
The COVID-19 pandemic slowed many of the gears in justice systems the world over, as courts postponed jury trials, experimented with virtual juries and hearings, and weighed prison conditions against public safety.
Qualifying A Digital Forensic Expert In Court (Voir Dire)
Most digital forensic practitioners possess an analytical mind. One of the reasons we become interested in the field is because we work to whittle down the digital elements of the case to try and present a clearer picture of the … Read more
Forensic Focus Legal Update: The COVID-19 Edition
When employers worldwide instituted remote-work policies to help reduce the spread of the novel coronavirus COVID-19, the impact to entire criminal justice systems — from law enforcement to evidence processing through the courts — was profound.
Digital evidence examiners in … Read more
Forensic Focus Legal Update December 2019 – Part II: Search And Seizure
by Christa Miller
In cooperation with the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C) and SEARCH, The National Consortium for Justice Information and Statistics, Forensic Focus offers a quarterly roundup of the latest legal developments around digital forensic evidence.
Comprising … Read more
Forensic Focus Legal Update December 2019 – Part I
by Christa Miller
In cooperation with the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C) and SEARCH, The National Consortium for Justice Information and Statistics, Forensic Focus is proud to offer a quarterly roundup of the latest legal developments around digital … Read more
From Crime To Court: Review Principles For UK Disclosure
by Hans Henseler
UK Law Enforcement agencies are facing significant challenges related to digital evidence disclosure in criminal prosecution cases. Suspects who are charged with a crime must have access to all relevant evidence to ensure a fair trial, even … Read more
Facebook’s Privacy Manifesto: What Does It Mean For Digital Forensic Investigations?
by Christa Miller, Forensic Focus
Mark Zuckerberg’s new “privacy manifesto” for Facebook marks not just a pivot in terms of how the social network shapes modern-day communication. It also marks what The Verge’s Casey Newton called “the end of the … Read more
Opinion: Is ISO17025 The Right Standard For Digital Forensics?
by Rich2005
Standardisation is currently the subject of animated discussion among digital forensic examiners worldwide. In this opinion piece, Rich2005 looks at the challenges of the ISO17025 standard for digital forensics and why it might not be the best choice … Read more
Have Your Say In The House Of Lords’ Select Committee On Science And Technology
Controversy has been raging around ISO 17025 ever since the standard was adopted for digital forensics back in October 2017. Although many people who work in the industry agree that standardisation is advisable and probably necessary if we are to … Read more
Changes To Forensic Laboratory Accreditation Requirements – ISO/IEC 17025
by Tim Alcock
ISO/IEC 17025:2017 – General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories is the principal international standard for the accreditation of laboratories performing testing (including sampling) and/or calibration. Originating from ISO/IEC Guide 25, the standard has … Read more
Law Enforcement Professionals Need to Evaluate Digital Forensics Practices Amid Looming Constitutional Showdown Regarding Digital Searches
by L.E. “Ted” Wilson
There is a fascinating constitutional showdown brewing in the U.S. that will have significant implications for how our law enforcement agencies are able to conduct digital investigations. The fundamental question at issue is whether the Fifth … Read more
Charlatans In Digital Forensics
by James Zjalic
There’s a topic that is rarely publicized in the world of digital forensics, but is well known to those within the field and stories are often traded between experts when they meet at conferences and conventions. That … Read more