Computer Forensic ‘Expert’ Witnesses, Who is Representing You?

Computer forensic experts deal with some of the most grave and serious of criminal cases that involve digital evidence. However it may be surprising to hear that currently there is no regulatory body to ensure the quality of their work, their security, and the expert’s individual’s background. It is a different case for those forensic companies who work for prosecuting bodies such as police forces and law enforcement agencies, as they are normally independently regulated by the instructing body and undergo rigorous vetting. Forensic companies working solely for the defence however, have the same access to the same evidence involved in these cases, yet nobody is actively monitoring their activities…In theory a one man band with a computer and the appropriate software could take on criminal defence cases which range from fraud, terrorism and drugs offences, to indecent images of children and grooming charges.

In a Home Office document produced last year this point is covered and endorsed by Minister Joan Ryan; ‘Creating a forensic science regulatory function is the most appropriate way of overseeing quality, standards and integrity in forensic science and maintaining public confidence’.

Why regulate the forensic services market?

The Home Office report covers a number of areas; best practice, quality assurance, and, from a commercial point of view, a level playing field for independent suppliers in the face of a growing market and increased competition.

What would such a regulatory body seek to check?


Get The Latest DFIR News

Join the Forensic Focus newsletter for the best DFIR articles in your inbox every month.


Unsubscribe any time. We respect your privacy - read our privacy policy.

1. Physical facilities – are the evidence storage rooms, which hold damning and serious evidence, secure and up to standard? Who has access to the evidence, is it tracked when moved from location to location?

2. Personnel – do they receive criminal background checks to help ensure they don’t have a hidden agenda for working in these types of companies?

3. Management – are they providing adequate support facilities for staff? Unfortunately, in this business investigators will frequently come across distressing images and scenarios as a matter of course. Are procedures in place such as counselling, personal development, and careful monitoring?

4. Are the investigators qualified? Forensic investigators need to be trained in industry standard software EnCase and have continuous training on ever changing technologies. Without which they may not do a thorough and appropriate investigation, and ultimately not provide a proper defence, potentially seeing innocent people put behind bars.

The majority of criminal cases now include at least one form of digital evidence, whether it is a mobile phone, an iPod, or a computer, and where there is a prosecution there must be a defence. Computer Forensic companies providing defences are becoming involved with seriously high profile criminal cases on a regular basis and should undergo the same monitoring and regulation that the prosecuting bodies receive.

For more information please visit www.cy4or.co.uk

Leave a Comment

Latest Videos

Si and Desi interview Emi Polito from Amped about how to become an Amped FIVE Certified Examiner (AFCE). They discuss the exam requirements, format, timeline for certification, and Amped’s future plans. Emi explains that the certification is aimed at demonstrating competency with the Amped FIVE video analysis software after completing training. The exam consists of multiple choice questions on theory and practical exercises using the software. Emi talks about the online exam format and process for passing or failing.

Emi also discusses the broader challenges many organizations face with validation and accreditation. He emphasizes Amped's commitment to developing tools that facilitate that process. The hosts reflect on the confusing accreditation landscape and Amped’s passion for improving training and certification in forensics. This episode provides an overview of Amped's new certification and perspective on challenges in the field of video forensics.

Show Notes:

Introducing The AFCE Certification (Amped FIVE Certified Examiner) - https://www.forensicfocus.com/news/introducing-the-afce-certification-amped-five-certified-examiner/

Video Evidence Principles With Amped Software - https://www.forensicfocus.com/podcast/video-evidence-principles-with-amped-software/

Digital Image Authenticity And Integrity With Amped Authenticate - https://www.forensicfocus.com/podcast/digital-image-authenticity-and-integrity-with-amped-authenticate/

File Analysis And DVR Conversion Training From Amped Software - https://www.forensicfocus.com/reviews/file-analysis-and-dvr-conversion-training-from-amped-software/

Amped FIVE Speed Estimation 2d Filter And Training From Amped Software - https://www.forensicfocus.com/reviews/amped-five-speed-estimation-2d-filter-and-training-from-amped-software/

Amped Software’s Martino Jerian on Key Challenges and Opportunities for Video Evidence - https://www.forensicfocus.com/podcast/amped-softwares-martino-jerian-on-key-challenges-and-opportunities-for-video-evidence/

LEVA 2023 Training Symposium - https://www.leva.org/

Forensic Collision Investigation & Reconstruction Ltd - https://www.fcir.co.uk/

Amped FIVE Certified Examiner - https://ampedsoftware.com/afce-certification 

Introducing the Amped FIVE Certification Program - https://blog.ampedsoftware.com/2023/10/04/introducing-the-amped-five-certification-program

Amped Software YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/ampedsoftware
How to Use the Validation Tool in Amped FIVE - https://blog.ampedsoftware.com/2023/03/29/how-to-use-the-validation-tool-in-amped-five

Si and Desi interview Emi Polito from Amped about how to become an Amped FIVE Certified Examiner (AFCE). They discuss the exam requirements, format, timeline for certification, and Amped’s future plans. Emi explains that the certification is aimed at demonstrating competency with the Amped FIVE video analysis software after completing training. The exam consists of multiple choice questions on theory and practical exercises using the software. Emi talks about the online exam format and process for passing or failing.

Emi also discusses the broader challenges many organizations face with validation and accreditation. He emphasizes Amped's commitment to developing tools that facilitate that process. The hosts reflect on the confusing accreditation landscape and Amped’s passion for improving training and certification in forensics. This episode provides an overview of Amped's new certification and perspective on challenges in the field of video forensics.

Show Notes:

Introducing The AFCE Certification (Amped FIVE Certified Examiner) - https://www.forensicfocus.com/news/introducing-the-afce-certification-amped-five-certified-examiner/

Video Evidence Principles With Amped Software - https://www.forensicfocus.com/podcast/video-evidence-principles-with-amped-software/

Digital Image Authenticity And Integrity With Amped Authenticate - https://www.forensicfocus.com/podcast/digital-image-authenticity-and-integrity-with-amped-authenticate/

File Analysis And DVR Conversion Training From Amped Software - https://www.forensicfocus.com/reviews/file-analysis-and-dvr-conversion-training-from-amped-software/

Amped FIVE Speed Estimation 2d Filter And Training From Amped Software - https://www.forensicfocus.com/reviews/amped-five-speed-estimation-2d-filter-and-training-from-amped-software/

Amped Software’s Martino Jerian on Key Challenges and Opportunities for Video Evidence - https://www.forensicfocus.com/podcast/amped-softwares-martino-jerian-on-key-challenges-and-opportunities-for-video-evidence/

LEVA 2023 Training Symposium - https://www.leva.org/

Forensic Collision Investigation & Reconstruction Ltd - https://www.fcir.co.uk/

Amped FIVE Certified Examiner - https://ampedsoftware.com/afce-certification

Introducing the Amped FIVE Certification Program - https://blog.ampedsoftware.com/2023/10/04/introducing-the-amped-five-certification-program

Amped Software YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/ampedsoftware
How to Use the Validation Tool in Amped FIVE - https://blog.ampedsoftware.com/2023/03/29/how-to-use-the-validation-tool-in-amped-five

YouTube Video UCQajlJPesqmyWJDN52AZI4Q_VKk-mhlae1c

Becoming An Amped FIVE Certified Examiner (AFCE)

Forensic Focus 1st December 2023 4:25 pm

Subscribe to the Forensic Focus Podcast: https://www.forensicfocus.com/podcast/

Si and Desi are joined by Brittany and Ailsa from digital forensics software company ADF Solutions. They discuss how ADF is addressing key challenges for digital forensics practitioners, including handling the massive volumes of data from mobile devices and the cloud.

The guests outline ADF's focus on developing their software as an easy-to-use onsite triage tool that can help quickly identify pertinent evidence. Key features include advanced handling of video files, AI-assisted classification of images, and new screen recording capabilities for mobile devices that allow suspects to safely share relevant data. 

The hosts and guests also explore ADF's ongoing research into areas like facial recognition, handling new device types like games consoles and smart watches, and identifying deepfake media.

00:00 – Introduction to Ailsa and Brittany
03:00 – The challenge of vast amounts of data
05:50 – Recovering data from Chromebooks
08:50 – Triaging using ADF tools
12:30 – Benefits of using ADF Solutions’ tools
15:50 – Limitations in types of apps
17:20 – Keeping up with technological advancements
19:15 – ADF customer base
21:00 - Artificial intelligence in classifying images
30:00 – ADF Solutions’ triaging kit
37:00 – Training with ADF
40:00 – Target user
44:50 – Roadmap of future devices to examine
51:30 – Main focus for ADF Solutions going forwards

Show Notes:
AI-generated CSAM article on Sky News - https://news.sky.com/story/thousands-of-ai-generated-child-abuse-images-being-shared-online-research-finds-12991727

Subscribe to the Forensic Focus Podcast: https://www.forensicfocus.com/podcast/

Si and Desi are joined by Brittany and Ailsa from digital forensics software company ADF Solutions. They discuss how ADF is addressing key challenges for digital forensics practitioners, including handling the massive volumes of data from mobile devices and the cloud.

The guests outline ADF's focus on developing their software as an easy-to-use onsite triage tool that can help quickly identify pertinent evidence. Key features include advanced handling of video files, AI-assisted classification of images, and new screen recording capabilities for mobile devices that allow suspects to safely share relevant data.

The hosts and guests also explore ADF's ongoing research into areas like facial recognition, handling new device types like games consoles and smart watches, and identifying deepfake media.

00:00 – Introduction to Ailsa and Brittany
03:00 – The challenge of vast amounts of data
05:50 – Recovering data from Chromebooks
08:50 – Triaging using ADF tools
12:30 – Benefits of using ADF Solutions’ tools
15:50 – Limitations in types of apps
17:20 – Keeping up with technological advancements
19:15 – ADF customer base
21:00 - Artificial intelligence in classifying images
30:00 – ADF Solutions’ triaging kit
37:00 – Training with ADF
40:00 – Target user
44:50 – Roadmap of future devices to examine
51:30 – Main focus for ADF Solutions going forwards

Show Notes:
AI-generated CSAM article on Sky News - https://news.sky.com/story/thousands-of-ai-generated-child-abuse-images-being-shared-online-research-finds-12991727

YouTube Video UCQajlJPesqmyWJDN52AZI4Q_4z-EgH54KZk

The Power Of Digital Forensics: How ADF Solutions Is Revolutionizing The Digital Forensics Industry

Forensic Focus 30th November 2023 2:57 pm

This error message is only visible to WordPress admins

Important: No API Key Entered.

Many features are not available without adding an API Key. Please go to the YouTube Feed settings page to add an API key after following these instructions.

Latest Articles