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Digital evidence--evidence that is stored on or transmitted by computers--can play a major role in a wide range of crimes, including homicide, rape, abduction, child abuse, solicitation of minors, child pornography, stalking, harassment, fraud, theft, drug trafficking, computer intrusions, espionage, and terrorism.

Though an increasing number of criminals are using computers and computer networks, few investigators are well-versed in the evidentiary, technical, and legal issues related to digital evidence. As a result, digital evidence is often overlooked, collected incorrectly, and analyzed ineffectively. The aim of this hands-on resource is to educate students and professionals in the law enforcement, forensic science, computer security, and legal communities about digital evidence and computer crime.

This work explains how computers and networks function, how they can be involved in crimes, and how they can be used as a source of evidence. As well as gaining a practical understanding of how computers and networks function and how they can be used as evidence of a crime, readers will learn about relevant legal issues and will be introduced to deductive criminal profiling, a systematic approach to focusing an investigation and understanding criminal motivations.

Frequently updated, these cases teaching individuals about:

• Components of computer networks
• Use of computer networks in an investigation
• Abuse of computer networks
• Privacy and security issues on computer networks
• The law as it applies to computer networks
• Provides a thorough explanation of how computers and networks function, how they can be involved in crimes, and how they can be used as a source of evidence
• Offers readers information about relevant legal issues
• Features coverage of the abuse of computer networks and privacy and security issues on computer networks

About the Author

Eoghan Casey is a founding member of Knowledge Solutions LLC, a partnership of practicing forensic professionals who have made a commitment to providing quality training, information resources, and case consultations. He investigates network intrusions, intellectual property theft, and other computer-related crimes, and has extensive experience analyzing digital evidence. He has assisted law enforcement in a wide range of criminal investigations including homicide, child exploitation, cyberstalking, and larceny. Eoghan also has extensive information security experience. As an Information Security Officer at Yale University and in subsequent consulting work, he has performed vulnerability assessments, deployed and maintained intrusion detection systems, firewalls and public key infrastructures, and developed policies, procedures, and educational programs. Eoghan holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California at Berkeley, an M.A. in Educational Communication and Technology from New York University, and is currently working towards a Ph.D. in Computer Science at University College Dublin. Eoghan also brought together forensic experts to create the Handbook of Computer Crime Investigation: Forensic Tools and Technology.