Today, much of the evidence used for criminal investigations is digital rather than physical.
Whether it’s incriminating text messages, illegal files on computers, or geolocation data placing someone at the scene of a crime, data found on devices has become central to solving a case and ensuring legal justice is served.
There are many ways to retrieve this digital evidence, often involving sifting through the data stored by technological devices to better understand a person’s profile, whereabouts or securing incriminating evidence.
Two of the most common methods used by intelligence analysts are computer forensics and digital forensics. Both of which are effective practices for uncovering digital evidence that may be useful to a case.
However, while digital forensics and computer forensics are often used interchangeably, their methods and implementation make them different practices.
This article explores some of the key differences between computer forensics vs digital forensics, delving into when it’s best to use each practice.
What is computer forensics?
Computer forensics is the application of investigative and analytical techniques to gather and preserve evidence from computer systems and digital storage devices.
Computer forensics experts possess a deep understanding of computer systems, operating systems, networking, and legal procedures. They use specialised tools and techniques to extract and analyse data from various digital sources, such as hard drives, smartphones, cloud storage, and network traffic.
By reconstructing digital timelines, recovering deleted files, and deciphering encrypted data, computer forensics investigators can uncover crucial evidence for criminal investigations, civil disputes, and corporate inquiries. This plays a vital role in ensuring that digital evidence found on people’s personal computers and laptops is appropriately handled and is viable for use in legal cases and investigative processes.
Imagine, for instance, if a large corporation suspects that its CFO is embezzling funds. Computer forensics experts would examine the CFO’s computer, the company’s servers, and any relevant backup systems to find crucial digital evidence of this happening.
The computer forensics process
Computer forensics involves a meticulous approach to recovering, analysing, and preserving digital data found in computers.
1. Seizure and Acquisition
The first step in computer forensics is the seizure of the digital evidence. If the computer is outside the client’s possession, it often involves obtaining a Court order or other authorisation to access the device or system. Once the forensic experts have access to the computer, they create a precise copy of the original data, often referred to as a forensic image. This image is date-stamped and is a bit-by-bit replica of the original data. It is used for the investigation to preserve the integrity of the evidence.
2. Data Analysis
With the forensic image in hand, analysts begin the meticulous process of examining the data. This involves identifying relevant files, recovering deleted data, analysing file systems, and extracting information from various applications. Forensic tools are employed to sift through large volumes of data, searching for patterns, anomalies, and potential evidence.
3. Evidence Validation and Verification
The extracted data must be validated and verified to ensure its authenticity and reliability. This involves comparing the forensic image to the original data to confirm accuracy. Additionally, forensic experts may use hashing algorithms to create a unique digital fingerprint of the data, which can be used to verify its integrity at any point in time.
4. Reporting and Documentation
Once the analysis is complete, forensic experts prepare a detailed report outlining their findings and the methodologies used. This report serves as a comprehensive investigation record and is often used as evidence in legal proceedings. Clear and concise documentation is essential to establish the credibility of the findings.
5. Presentation
In many cases, forensic experts are called upon to present their findings in court. This involves explaining complex technical concepts to legal professionals and juries in a clear and understandable manner. Visual aids, such as timelines and diagrams, can be used to illustrate the evidence and its significance.
What is Digital Forensics?
Digital forensics involves collecting, analysing, and presenting digital evidence found on networks and all kinds of electronic devices. It consists of examining digital media, such as computers, smartphones, servers, and cloud storage, to uncover information related to cybercrimes, fraud, intellectual property theft, and other illegal matters.
Digital forensics experts extract, analyse, and interpret digital data, ensuring its integrity and admissibility as evidence so it can be used in court. They use specialised tools to extract evidence that might be helpful in an investigation, which can recover deleted files, examine browsing history, or even delve into hidden messages stored on a smartphone.
Like computer forensics, digital forensics evidence can be used in criminal investigations, civil lawsuits, and corporate fraud. It’s also crucial in investigating cybercrime, intellectual property theft, and various other legal matters, helping uncover digital evidence that can be used to prosecute criminals, resolve civil disputes, and protect corporate assets.
The digital forensics process
Digital forensics works similarly to computer forensics, following a similar procedure of gathering digital evidence, presenting it in a way that’s admissible in court.
1. Seizure and Acquisition
The first step in digital forensics is obtaining a legal warrant or authorization to access the device, network, or system and creating a precise copy of the original data, often referred to as a forensic image. This image is a bit-by-bit replica of the original data and is used for the investigation to preserve the integrity of the evidence. It’s crucial to avoid altering the original data, as this could compromise its admissibility in court.
2. Data Analysis
With the forensic image in hand, analysts begin the meticulous process of examining the data. This involves identifying relevant files, recovering deleted data, analysing file systems, and extracting information from various applications. Forensic tools are employed to sift through large volumes of data, searching for patterns, anomalies, and potential evidence.
3. Evidence Validation and Verification
The extracted data must be validated and verified to ensure its authenticity and reliability. This involves comparing the forensic image to the original data to confirm accuracy. Additionally, forensic experts may use hashing algorithms to create a unique digital fingerprint of the data, which can be used to verify its integrity at any point in time. This step is essential to establish the chain of custody and prevent any claims of tampering.
4. Reporting and Documentation
Once the analysis is complete, forensic experts prepare a detailed report outlining their findings and the methodologies used. This report serves as a comprehensive record of the investigation and is often used as evidence in legal proceedings. Clear and concise documentation is crucial to establish the credibility of the findings. The report should include a detailed description of the evidence, the analysis performed, and the conclusions drawn.
5. Presentation
In many cases, forensic experts are called upon to present their findings in court. This involves explaining complex technical concepts to legal professionals and juries in a clear and understandable manner. Visual aids, such as timelines and diagrams, can be used to illustrate the evidence and its significance. The expert must be prepared to defend their methods and conclusions under cross-examination.
It’s important to note that the specific steps and techniques used in digital forensics can vary depending on the nature of the case, the type of digital evidence, and the jurisdiction.
Computer forensics vs Digital Forensics: What’s the Difference?
There are several crucial differences between computer forensics and digital forensics, the most notable being their scope.
While Computer forensics focuses specifically on the investigation of data from computing devices such as desktops, laptops, and servers, digital forensics also includes the examination of data from any digital device, such as smartphones, tablets, digital cameras, and even network traffic.
In essence, computer forensics is a subset of digital forensics. Both fields involve applying scientific techniques to recover and analyse data for legal purposes. Still, the primary difference is that computer forensics is only for computing devices, while digital forensics is for any electronic device, system, or network.
Key differences
Focus
- Computer Forensics: Primarily concerned with recovering and analysing data from traditional computer systems like desktops, laptops, and servers.
- Digital Forensics: Encompasses a broader range of digital devices, including smartphones, tablets, GPS devices, digital cameras, and even IoT devices.
Data Types
- Computer Forensics: Deals primarily with data stored on hard drives, SSDs, and other computer-specific storage media.
- Digital Forensics: Handles various data formats, including images, videos, audio, metadata, and data stored in cloud environments.
Investigation Scope
- Computer Forensics typically focuses on investigating computer-related crimes, such as hacking, fraud, and intellectual property theft.
- Digital Forensics: Has a wider scope, covering a broader range of crimes, including cyberbullying, child exploitation, and digital evidence in traditional crimes like murder or theft.
Challenges
- Computer Forensics: Often deals with complex operating systems and software applications.
- Digital Forensics: Faces challenges related to the diversity of devices, data formats, and rapidly evolving technologies.
Computer forensics vs Digital Forensics: Which should you choose?
The choice between computer forensics and digital forensics for a legal investigation hinges on the specific nature of the case.
If the investigation primarily involves desktops, laptops, or servers, computer forensics is the appropriate choice. Cases involving financial fraud, intellectual property theft, or corporate espionage often require in-depth analysis of computer systems, so this may be better suited.
However, if the investigation includes smartphones, tablets, GPS devices, or if evidence is stored on the cloud, digital forensics is necessary. This includes cases involving images, videos, or audio recordings benefit from digital forensic expertise.
In many cases, a combination of both computer forensics and digital forensics is required. For example, an investigation into financial fraud might involve examining a suspect’s computer for fraudulent transactions and their smartphone for communication with accomplices.
At SIP, our forensics services offer both in-depth computer forensics and digital forensics to meet the demands of any case, from financial fraud to cybercrime.
Regardless of the method used for data collection, SIP ensures that the data’s integrity is maintained. Our specialists follow strict compliant protocols to ensure the data remains protected, transferring the data from the original source through imaging to ensure no changes have been made to the original files.
Our team also engages with the client to establish the case’s circumstances, including a timeline of events, technical specifications, and identifiers relating to the device where the data is stored.
