Introduction
It is imperative to note that the role of information forensics has been rapidly increasing over the last few years because of the introduction of new technologies. Electronic crimes are quite prominent at the moment because of the popularity of the Internet and social networks. The problem is that some of the procedures are not regulated because the current guide can be viewed as outdated, and it may complicate the investigation.
Nevertheless, it would be reasonable to review and analyze the literature on this subject matter to get a better understanding of the situation. The knowledge gained will be incredibly useful, and it will be possible to provide recommendations on how particular issues may be addressed.
Effectiveness
The primary objective of a guide is to list detailed instructions on how professionals in this area should conduct an investigation depending on the device or type of data (U.S. Department of Justice: Technical Working Group for Electronic Crime Scene Investigation, 2001). The importance of the document should not be overlooked. The agency has recognized that crimes committed with the use of a computer can be incredibly problematic and has tried to take numerous factors into account.
It is hard to argue with the fact that the guide was well-developed, and the fact that it is still used indicates that it is incredibly efficient. It is necessary to mention that most of the file types and appropriate approaches are listed. The fact that such concepts as encryption and compression are mentioned is also critical and has helped investigators on numerous occasions. Overall, it is possible to state that the guidance is extremely useful, and was utilized to resolve many cases in courts over the years.
New Regulations
It would be appropriate to keep track of emerging technologies and the latest developments to ensure that the guidance stays relevant. Moreover, it is reasonable to provide information about the course of actions that needs to be taken in case modern devices are involved. However, definitions and descriptions should not be vague because it could lead to severe complications in some cases. Also, it is reasonable to take advantage of modern technologies, and it is possible to provide updates to the guide depending on the situation.
It is understandable that the privacy of individuals needs to be respected, but the situation can be quite complicated because of such techniques as encryption that could affect the ability of professionals to investigate the crime (Casey, 2011). Some agencies tried to cooperate with the developers to make decryption much easier, but concerns related to privacy are tremendous. It would be reasonable to conduct additional research to reach a consensus on this subject matter. The situation is also complicated by the fact that numerous operational systems are currently available, and it is reasonable to provide appropriate guidelines.
Pros and Cons
One of the biggest benefits of the forensic implementation recommendations on the national level is that it will be possible to protect the safety and well-being of the population. Moreover, digital crime investigations will be much easier to conduct when cooperation between professionals in several states is required. The problem is that the difference between the policies is quite significant, and some activities are legal in one region, while illegal in the other.
Furthermore, it may be hard to determine the destination of the data in some cases. One of the biggest concerns is that individuals are worried about privacy and believe that it could increase the level of control from the side of the government. It is possible to state that a particular dilemma is present. The information needs to stay confidential, but it becomes a threat when criminal activities are involved. The situation is especially problematic when it comes to terrorism because the safety of the population may be at risk. Therefore, the pros outweigh the cons in this situation, and the implementation on the national level is justified.
New Technologies
It is paramount to note that the introduction of modern techniques or devices could have an enormous impact on the investigation of digital crimes. Similar problems occurred when cloud storage was introduced, and professionals were not sure which steps should be taken to receive and analyze the necessary information. It is reasonable to use the same rules that would be used in similar situations. Managers also have a set of responsibilities, and cooperation with investigators is crucial.
It is important to ensure that the state of these technologies is not affected, and the information is not altered (Easttom, 2014). Also, it is reasonable to contact a local professional in this area and consult with him or her to prevent possible complications (Pearson & Watson, 2010). It is appropriate to be careful when implementing technologies that are rather recent in an organization, and preventive measures should be taken (Sachowski, 2016).
Conclusion
In summary, it is possible to state that the guide had a tremendous impact on the investigation of electronic crimes since its introduction and is still effective. The problem is that it was nearly impossible to predict the introduction of some of the technologies, and the authors have acknowledged the fact. However, the problem may be addressed by the research of emerging techniques, and a proactive approach is vital.
References
Casey, E. (2011). Digital evidence and computer crime: Forensic science, computers and the Internet (3rd ed.). Cambridge, MA: Academic Press.
Easttom, C. (2014). System forensics, investigation, and response (2nd ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Pearson, S, & Watson, R. (2016). Digital triage forensics: Processing the digital crime scene. Burlington, MA: Syngress.
Sachowski, J. (2016). Implementing digital forensic readiness: From reactive to proactive process. Burlington, MA: Syngress.
U.S. Department of Justice: Technical Working Group for Electronic Crime Scene Investigation. (2001). Electronic crime scene investigation: A guide for first responders (National Institute of Justice [NIJ] Guide). Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs. Web.