Why All Forensic Investigators Ought to Become Cyber Forensic Investigators

Forensic investigators depend on the crime scene for a better virtual resurrection of the crime being done. Samples like bullets from weapons, fingerprints from doorknobs, footprints in and around the crime location, strands of hair and many others helped these investigators gather sufficient evidence to support the case.

However, in the past couple of years, with the world becoming digitized, it is only natural that the demand for cyber forensic investigators has increased. Companies like SOS International LLC, Leidos, Infotek Corporations, M & T Bank, Alaka’ina Foundation Family of Companies, Keaki, and many others are on the lookout for candidates who possess the skills to become a Cyber Forensic Investigator.

What is Cyber Forensics?

Computer forensics is simply the application of computer investigation and analysis techniques in the interests of determining potential legal evidence. Evidence might be sought in a wide range of computer crime or misuse, including but not limited to theft of trade secrets, theft of or destruction of intellectual property, and fraud.

Famous Crimes Solved Through Cyber Forensics

1. Dennis Rader – The BTK Strangler

The BTK Strangler was famous for his taunting letters to the local newspaper and law enforcement. Although managing to avoid being caught for over a decade, his crime in 2005 brought about his downfall. After the heinous crime, a floppy disk was sent to the police with a taunting letter on it. With the help of digital forensics investigators, a deleted Microsoft Document file was found on that floppy disk through which they were able to recover the metadata, leading them to the Lutheran Church where Dennis worked as a Deacon. He was then arrested and was sent behind the bars for the rest of his life. [1]

2. Philip Markoff – The Craigslist Killer

In the year 2009, Boston Police investigated a murder case which resembled other murder cases. While inspecting the CCTV footage of the crime scene they were shocked to see a young, handsome, and tall man behind the murders. Philip Markoff, at that time, was a 23-year-old medical student who came to be known as the infamous Craigslist Killer, because of how he would hunt his victims down through Craigslist. His reign of terror came to an end when digital forensic investigators tracked his IP address through the emails he had sent. [2]

What Does a Cyber Forensic Investigator Do?

A Cyber Forensic investigator is a trained individual who works with various law enforcement agencies and other private firms to retrieve information from computing devices, digital storage devices, and much more. Cyber Forensic professionals often look to retrieving crucial data from corrupted devices from the crime scene.