Title: IT forensics: 22 years on

Authors: Nigel Jones

Addresses: Centre for Cybercrime Investigation, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland

Abstract: This paper examines the progress made in the area of |digital forensics| and |cybercrime investigation| since the author|s first involvement in the subject in 1986. At that time, hard disk technology was in its relative infancy and examination of computer-based evidence and its inclusion in criminal proceedings very limited. There were no standards for dealing with electronic data within the criminal justice system and no training or qualifications available for those involved in its handling, particularly those in the law enforcement community who were in most instances acting as |first responders|. The ensuing 22 years have seen tremendous advances in technology that have not been met with similar advances in the standards for the handling and presentation of electronic evidence that would give assurance to those in the criminal justice system. This paper examines what has happened since 1986 and identifies issues still to be resolved.

Keywords: Centrex; computer crime; computer forensics; cybercrime; digital evidence; digital forensics; e-crime; electronic evidence; electronic security; Europol; forensic computing; high-tech crime; hi-tech crime; Interpol; IT forensics; National Police Improvement Agency; NPIA; information techology; electronic crime; online crime; internet crime.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESDF.2009.024897

International Journal of Electronic Security and Digital Forensics, 2009 Vol.2 No.2, pp.116 - 131

Published online: 03 May 2009 *

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