Computer Forensics
The field of computer forensics was developed primarily by law enforcement personnel for investigating drug and financial crimes. It employs strict protocols to gather information contained on a wide variety of electronic devices, using forensic procedures to locate deleted files and hidden information.
Computer forensics tasks include capturing all the information contained on a specific electronic device by using either a forensic copy technique or by making an image of all or a portion of the device. A forensic copy provides an exact duplicate of the hard drive or storage device. None of the metadata, including the last accessed date,is changed from the original. However, the copy is a liveversion, so accessing the data on the copy, even only to see what is there,can change this sensitive metadata.
By contrast, making a forensic image of the required information puts a protective electronic wrapper around the entire collection. The collection can be viewed with special software, and the documents can be opened, extracted from the collection, and examined without changing the files or their metadata.
Other forensic tasks include locating and accessing deleted files, finding partial files, tracking Internet history, cracking passwords, and detecting information located in the slack or unallocated space. Slack space is the area at the end of a specific cluster on a hard drive that contains no data; unallocated space contains the remnants of files that have been deleted but not erased from the device, as deleting simply removes the pointer to the location of a specific file on a hard drive, not the file itself.
Electronic Discovery
Electronic discovery has its roots in the field of civil litigation support and deals with organizing electronic files using their attached metadata. Because of the large volume encountered, these files are usually incorporated into a litigation retrieval system to allow review and production in an easy methodology. Legal data management principles are used, including redaction rules and production methodologies.
Electronic discovery tasks usually begin after the files are captured. File metadata is used to organize and cull the collections. Documents can be examined in their native file format or converted to TIF or PDF images to allow for redaction and easy production.
Common Capabilities, Different Philosophies
Computer forensics and electronic discovery methodologies share some common capabilities. One is the ability to produce an inventory of the collection, allowing reviewers to quickly see what is present. Another is the ability to determine a common time zone to standardize date and time stamps across a collection. Without this standardization, an e-mail response may appear to have been created before the original e-mail.
Related Articles
A Peek Into the World of Hi-tech Litigation Support
By: Karen Unger | 31/07/2007 | Customer Service
At the heart of any legal undertaking is the mass of data that legal professionals need to perform their jobs. The demanding task of acquiring and organizing the documents that comprise this data is known as litigation support. It's a task that requires a high level or organizational ability and a painstaking attention to detail. And with these documents increasingly in electronic form, litigation support professionals need IT skills as well as legal and organisational expertise.
10 Critical Decisions for Successful E-discovery Part 1
By: Karen Unger | 17/11/2007 | Customer Service
The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure’s recent emphasis on producing electronically stored information requires that the e-discovery team understands the collection and processing choices to be made and their ramifications.
10 Critical Decisions for Successful E-discovery Part 2
By: Karen Unger | 18/11/2007 | Customer Service
The Federal Rules of Civil Procedureีs recent emphasis on producing electronically stored information requires that the e-discovery team understands the collection and processing choices to be made and their ramifications.
E-forensics: Critical Steps in Capturing Legally Defensible E-data
By: Karen | 31/03/2008 | Law
e-Forensics is the application of electronic investigation to uncover information that is not readily available or viewable to the average user. These deleted or hidden files can often contain vital electronic information that is important to your case, but identifying it is like searching for the proverbial needle in a haystack.
The Human Factor of Electronic Discovery
By: Andrew P. Li | 05/06/2008 | Cyber Law
The rapid invasion of technology within the corporate world has forced a steady (and speedy) change to the legal landscape. That E-Discovery is now a part of an attorney’s life and requires focus is no longer resisted (and certainly, can no longer be ignored). E-Discovery is here to stay, that will not change – what has to change (and should change) over the years is our approach.
Electronic Discovery 2.0
By: datatriage | 26/06/2007 | Data Recovery
Electronic Discovery 2.0, or “e-discovery 2.0” refers to the next generation of processes, technologies, and services that streamline and modernize the traditional e-discovery process as well as allows businesses to manage huge volumes of data, lower costs, and meet tight deadlines. In this Electronic Discovery process civil litigants seek to acquire information from both parties and from third parties.
The Ratio of Electronic Files to Paper in E-discovery
By: Andrew P. Li | 05/06/2008 | Cyber Law
Attorneys and paralegals (and really any professional working in the legal field) have always worked in the realm of paper and file folders. Their work-habits and thought processes have been tuned with the tangible, and therefore have a strong need to convert the ethereal bits & bytes of technology into sheets of clean paper.
Electronic Evidence & Information Gluttony
By: Andrew P. Li | 05/06/2008 | Cyber Law
In this current age of the "Information Superhighway," companies literally "do not know what they know." And for attorneys who must review this avalanche of information (often from multiple sources) to ferret out "smoking guns" for a trial, this problem of information overload is much more compounded.
Latest Customer Service Articles
How to Find Great Sushi
By: 10x Marketing | 25/07/2008
Do you need a Japanese translator to find great sushi? No! Just follow these steps to find the best sushi in your area.
Mogul Energy Announces Sea Dragon Energy Inc.‘s Ipo
By: atomxiao | 25/07/2008
The common shares of Mogul Energy are quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board (OTCBB) system under the symbol 'MGUY,' and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange ("FSE") under the symbol 'BKX'. Further information concerning Mogul Energy can be found in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (http://www.sec.gov).
Forward-Looking Statements:
The common shares of Mogul Energy are quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board (OTCBB) system under the symbol 'MGUY,' and the Frankfurt Stock Exch
The Weighty Burden of Anticipating Customer Needs
By: Kirsty Dunphey | 24/07/2008
Find the way to say yes to your customers, instead of no, don’t or can’t.
Rain Bird Rain Sensor
By: Kathleen Chester | 23/07/2008
The Rain Bird RSD Series Rain Sensor is extremely durable and visually pleasing. It is apt for residential complexes and also for commercial places.
Logo Reference Materials
By: Robert Johnston | 23/07/2008
If you have decided to design your own logo but aren’t sure where to start or if you can’t come up with any ideas, here are some resources that will educate and motivate you.
Learning Forex Trades
By: itmar | 23/07/2008
This article is for the traders who want to make some bucks from forex trading. Before you learn more about forex trading, out of 10 traders 7 persons keep losing money in this market; and the rest work freely from their house and earn millions. Rest 30% might be those with insider news, or those with forex trading skills and knowledge.
Understanding the Nanaimo Real Estate Market
By: Gary Bowen | 23/07/2008
Nanaimo is the real estate market provides exceptional options for investors and residents. Location of Nanaimo is good with its huge appeal for professional, tourists, retirees, artist, tourism associated- business & enthusiasts. They require for authentic property in this city is kept by Nanaimo's status just as gateway of Vancouver Island. The opportunity of eco tourism can't be hyped, with global visitors. Millions of the visitors are drawn to unbelievable power of west coastline beaches.
Preparing Your Home for Sale
By: Gary Bowen | 23/07/2008
The purchase or ownership of a house is a greatest investment that you make in your life. There are many beautiful areas in Nanaimo. Campbell River grows formwork of miners, fishers and foresters. Giant Mountain, beaches & vistas surround it. Campbell River is really astonishing place to work and live. It is a hub for tourism, shopping, arts and industry. Campbell River is a gateway of courage & adventure.
More from Karen Unger
10 Critical Decisions for Successful E-discovery Part 2
By: Karen Unger | 18/11/2007 | Customer Service
The Federal Rules of Civil Procedureีs recent emphasis on producing electronically stored information requires that the e-discovery team understands the collection and processing choices to be made and their ramifications.
10 Critical Decisions for Successful E-discovery Part 1
By: Karen Unger | 17/11/2007 | Customer Service
The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure’s recent emphasis on producing electronically stored information requires that the e-discovery team understands the collection and processing choices to be made and their ramifications.
A Peek Into the World of Hi-tech Litigation Support
By: Karen Unger | 31/07/2007 | Customer Service
At the heart of any legal undertaking is the mass of data that legal professionals need to perform their jobs. The demanding task of acquiring and organizing the documents that comprise this data is known as litigation support. It's a task that requires a high level or organizational ability and a painstaking attention to detail. And with these documents increasingly in electronic form, litigation support professionals need IT skills as well as legal and organisational expertise.
Business 
