Digital Evidence and Computer Crime - 1738 Words

Digital Evidence and Computer Crime: Forensic Science, Computers, and the Internet is essentially a guide on how to collect and process digital evidence in any situation. In this book, digital evidence is defined as â€Å"any data stored or transmitted using a computer that support or refute a theory of how an offense occurred or that address critical elements of the offense such as intent or alibi† (Casey, 7). Most crimes today have some kind of digital element to them, from the crime itself to the criminal’s use of computer systems to communicate, store incriminating data, or search for ways to commit a crime and this creates new challenges for those in law enforcement (Casey, 3). To fully understand what digital evidence is and how it is to†¦show more content†¦As Casey states, a person’s computer and network usage can give more information about him/her than even his/her closest friends and family ever could (Casey, 8). As most people know, connecting computers and computer networks is inherently risky, however necessary it might be (Casey, 6). However, computer crime began in 1969, when university students burned the university’s computers in a protest (Casey, 35). In 1970, people were beginning to learn how to gain access to other computers, an act that was not illegal at the time (Casey, 35). As technology has changed, cybercriminals have adapted to it and they will continue to adapt as long as technology continues to change (Casey, 304). While there is a wide range of compute crime, there are four main categories that every computer crime falls under. The first category is when the computer is the object of a crime. This type of crime occurs when the computer itself is affected, like in the 1969 computer burnings (Casey, 40). The second is when the computer is the subject of the crime. This occurs when the computer is infected with malware or is made unusable to the owner (Casey, 40). Third on the list is using the computer as a tool to plan or commit the crime. This category includes searching the Internet, communicating with partners or intended victims, or using the computer to commit phishing scams and create malware and infect other computers (Casey, 40). The finalShow MoreRelatedDigital Evidence799 Words   |  4 Pageshead: Digital Evidence Darlene Sampson Digital Evidence January 8, 2012 Abstract This paper will help explain the basic understanding of computer forensics. I will also identify five areas in computers and computer application a forensic investigator can look for digital evidence. I will identify three types of criminal investigations that can utilize the services of computer forensic investigators. This paper will help with the understanding of computer forensics. Digital Evidence Read MoreWith The Advancement Of Technology It Has Changed The Entire1631 Words   |  7 Pagesto be expected that technology would cross over into the world of crime. New computer crime has escalated in the past 10 years. As with the advancement of crime it has also made advancements in crime fighting aspect of criminal justice, these advances help criminal justice professionals in the community while on duty and during the investigatory stage. The advent of technology in the criminal justice system has not only changed crime and law enforcement but also changed the way criminal investigationRead MoreDigital Evidence And Law Enforcement Essay1137 Words   |  5 PagesSince the introduction of computer and technology, they have become the new weapon in committing crime, and to the burgeoning science of digital evidence, law enforcement now use computers to fight crime. Nevertheless, digital evidence is information stored, transmitted, and received in binary form th at can potentially be relied on as evidence in court. Notwithstanding, digital evidence is commonly associated with crimes that involve such devices, such as a computer hard drives, external storageRead MoreDigital Forensics And The Constitution1499 Words   |  6 PagesDIGITAL FORENSICS AND THE CONSTITUTION Daniel J. Riggleman Mount Aloysius College DIGITAL FORENSICS AND THE CONSTITUTION Until recently, forensic scientists needed only to study physical evidence to determine what had taken place at a crime scene. This consisted of gathering fibers and samples of any bodily fluids left behind and also taking note of every aspect of the crimes scene to determine what had happened. In today’s age, that is all still necessary for most crime scenes; however, there isRead MoreDigital Evidence And Law Enforcement Essay1125 Words   |  5 PagesComputers have become a new weapon in committing crime, and to the burgeoning science of digital evidence, law enforcement now uses computers to fight crime. Digital evidence is information stored, transmitted, and received in binary form that can potentially be relied on as evidence in court. Notwithstanding, digital evidence is commonly associated with crimes that involve such devices, such as a computer hard drives, external storage devices, mobile phones, among others, and are often referredRead MoreThe Digital Of Digital F orensics1586 Words   |  7 Pagesadvances in digital technology, the scope of digital crimes has also increased multi-fold. Digital forensics is a science, which involves collection, preservation and documentation of the digital evidence from various digital storage media. This entire process must be undertaken in fashion that is appropriate forensically, and results in collection of data, which can be made admissible in a court of law during the investigation of a crime. Since most of the transactions today happen across digital mediaRead MoreWhat Is Digital Forensics and What Role Does It Play in Modern Society?1089 Words   |  5 PagesPaper #1 What is digital forensics and What role does it play in modern society? by Joseph M. Williams jwilliams@champlain.edu By submitting this assignment I acknowledge that I have read and agree to abide by the Champlain College Academic Honesty Policy. I declare that all work within this assignment is my own or appropriately attributed. I accept that failure to follow the academic honesty policy may result in a failure grade, or expulsion from Champlain College. Date Due: _1/20/13______ Read MoreCase Study 2: U.S. Versus Aol. In The U.S. Versus Aol Case,1253 Words   |  6 PagesWire fraud is achieved through electronic trading and this is what classifies it as a computer crime. This crime is where the computer system is used as a way to commit the crime, not the goal of the crime itself (Easttom Taylor, 2011). The goal of wire fraud is to take advantage of a situation or someone in order to get money or something else that is valuable. Wire fraud is considered to be a federal crime and is classified as a felony. The penalties may be severe depending on the case. â€Å"EachRead MoreUS vs. AOL: A Criminal Case Study972 Words   |  4 Pagescase who did not accept plea agreements were found to be not guilty and this is stated to be due to the lack of documentation of what had occurred on AOLs networking and computer systems. I. Criminal Use of the Internet and Computers The Department of Justice report entitled Investigations Involving the Internet and Computer Networks (2007) states that the Internet may be used by criminals for various reasons including the trading or sharing of information, concealing or assuming another identityRead MoreThe Role of Federal Agencies in Fighting Digital Crime Essay827 Words   |  4 Pagesincluding FBI, Department of Homeland Security, among others, have taken on roles to fight computer crimes and terrorism. The roles and responses of these law enforcement agencies concerning digital crime have created challenges that limit enforcement efforts against digital crime. The Department Of Justice has had to address evolving challenges such as mortgage fraud, corporate fraud, and cyber crime including online child pornography. As it seeks to balance and address competing and new priorities

Drug Test Benefits Free Essays

Recent increases in the use of illegal drugs and problems related to that use have raised a variety of public health and safety concerns. These concerns have led many to propose drug testing as one of the best ways to combat the proliferation of drug use. Although the focus is testing for drugs, it is worth noting that similar calls for increased testing has risen due to the spread of HIV and the threat it poses to those exposed to it. We will write a custom essay sample on Drug Test Benefits or any similar topic only for you Order Now Clearly, these public health and safety concerns conflict with privacy claims of those being targeted for testing. Nevertheless, many view the public safety threat as serious enough to override completely any individual privacy interests. Indeed, public opinion polls indicate that there is widespread support for a variety of testing programs, even those that are random and mandatory. Although drug abuse should not be tolerated in the workplace, care must be taken to limit the extent to which drug testing intrudes on people=s privacy. The idea is to use the technology carefully, with adequate justification, and with enough safeguards and precautions to ensure that testing is done thoughtfully and responsibly. Both the government and private business argue that they have a significant interest in testing citizens and employees for a variety of reasons. First, they can fight the Adrug war@ by weeding out users and stopping drug use. Second, they can ensure safety by revealing conditions that pose a serious threat to co-workers or the public. Third, they test employees so they can maintain a fully responsive and effective workforce. Fourth, they can identify those who will be unable to work in the future. Fifth, it will help reduce the cost of employee health care plans. Finally, drug testing will help maintain public confidence in the integrity and trustworthiness of their operations. Many insurance agencies argue that testing is necessary because it fundamentally causes the healthier employees to pay higher premiums to cover the costs of the coverage for those who are at greater risk levels. All of these arguments provide strong reasons to consider drug testing. In some industries, such as health care and transportation, even casual drug or alcohol use can result in not only increased costs, but also in lawsuits and loss of life. Even if the employee is not chemically dependent, a spouse or family member using drugs or alcohol can mean missed work, extensive personal phone calls and increased dependent medical benefits. Supreme court justice Antonin Scalia found drug testing to be an invasion of privacy and a practice of A needless indignity. @ He states that if a blood test is used, it involves puncturing the skin. If a urinalysis is utilized, the sample must sometimes be gained under direct observation to guard against drug-free substitutions and falsification of results. He feels that there are more effective methods of identifying drug users. For example, a daily observation of moods, behavior, and productivity, can detect drug use and be dealt with immediately. Many employees feel that implementing a drug testing program will prove to the lack of trust between the employer and employee. They feel that this will cause high turnover rates from year to year. It will also lower employee morale and effectiveness while on the job. These problems could be avoided by just utilizing the observance plan mention earlier. Opponents of drug testing also focuses on the limitations of the testing procedures, arguing that the tests are highly inaccurate. One worry is the sensitivity of the tests. Many types of tests procedure inaccurate, innocent parties will be harmed because most tests produce a large number of false positive results, indicating that there has been drug use when there has actually been none. Such false positive results can rise from the use of medications, passive inhalation of marijuana smoke, or the technology employed for many drug tests. Drug testing opposers cite the human error of lab personnel that further implicates the accuracy of results The first two cases on drug testing to reach the Supreme Court were argued in 1988. From the decisions issued the following year, it is clear that the court held that urine tests are a significant intrusion into a fundamentally private domain. Since then, every court that has addressed the issue has found that urinalysis and blood tests intrude on privacy as a search and seizure forbidden under the fourth amendment. Courts have mainly focused on the privacy invasion involved, first, in the process of urination and the manner in which the specimen is obtained, and second, in the individuals interest and safeguarding the confidentiality of the information contained in the sample. While drug tests might also violate the fifth amendment protection of due process and constitutional privacy interests, courts have taken the privacy claims of the fourth amendment to be the most forceful constitutional threat. Some surveys show employees strongly support drug testing because it promises greater safety and harmony at work. However, scores of civil suits in the early and mid 1980’s challenged the procedure as an invasion of privacy. The courts have upheld most testing programs, and fewer suits are now being filed. In a study conducted by the society for Human Resources Management, human resource professionals most consistently favored the use of drug and alcohol testing, soliciting criminal record checks, and monitoring visual display, terminal keystrokes and phone activity. While employers may deem these activities as essential to preserve workplace safety and productivity, many employees would argue that they violate their privacy, both on the job and at home. Employees may not be invaded by having to participate in drug tests with the urinalysis. Technology has advanced so that any impairment in a workers performance while on the job due to drugs or alcohol will be monitored on computers. It is called performance or impairment testing by its creators, and is a game-like device that can test judgement and motor coordination through the ability to manipulate a cursor on a VDT screen. The benefits reveal the cause of an employee impairment. Performance tests would offer more privacy to the worker and promote a less hostile environment People have objected mostly to random drug testing, which is mainly limited to government and private jobs that effect public safety, like those at nuclear power plants, airlines, railroads and trucking companies. More than 90 percent of the testing is of job applicants. But most of these same companies also test after accidents and when suspicions are aroused through erratic behavior. Fewer than 10 percent of the companies test randomly or at the time of annual physicals An employer has an extreme amount of influence on an individual to receive some type of treatment for their addiction. They are in the position to provide incentive for accepting treatment, as well as emotional support afterwards, because the job usually is of extreme importance to the addicted individual. The management should offer and accessible health insurance plan so that when the employee needs to receive the treatment that they can easily do so without having to involve several other people Once the addict has received the needed care, their job structure should be altered by management. They should be placed in a less stressful atmosphere. Their amount of work decreases for a certain amount of time, and they should not be placed on a demanding quota schedule that could trigger an emotional swing back toward the addiction The key to this success is having a good prevention program in place to detect problems at an early stage in their development. @If these problems can be detected early then outpatient treatment can be successful,@ says Maureen Whitmore of Occupational Health Services in Larkspur, California. Once a company has invested their time and money in rehabilitation of the employee, there are steps that must be followed to keep the employee from returning to their addiction. First, a peer support group should be provided where open discussion is encouraged in trying to cope with a new life and the new found pressure of work. Second, management should help their employees reintegrate back into the workplace. They will be confused and easily persuaded by stress that might have led to the problem in the beginning. Third, the company should hold AA meetings on-site and provide a crisis number to call in case of an emergency. Fourth, supervisors should be educated to watch for returning signs that the person is under stress. Fifth, management should involve family members and provide lifestyle education. Finally, stress reduced activities should be offered on-site, such as aerobics and fitness classes, and workshops on how to improve interpersonal skills. I feel that employee drug testing in some manner is essential to the performance and effectiveness of an employee in a company. Management needs the assurance that every employee is doing their job without any type of impairment from an outside source. However, I also feel that urinalysis testing is an invasion of privacy. As an employer, I will not be concerned with what types of drugs the employee is taking, but he is impairing the performance of the company. As I mentioned earlier, technology has advanced in such a manner that there will be no need for urinalysis tests. Performance or impairment testing programs will test the employee=s judgement and motor coordination through the ability to manipulate a cursor on a VDT screen. This will provide the employer with accurate information on the abilities of the employee to perform their job. It also keeps the employees addiction private and not for their employers to know. I feel that the increased health insurance coverage and the increased ease of access for employees will help them seek treatment for their addiction. However, there will need to be severe disciplinary actions for those who continually test positive. Once an employee has received treatment, the follow-up plans must be persuaded by management. This should help the employee to receive the needed attention for their problem, and help the company continue to have an effective employee. Drug testing has many benefits and set backs for both employers and employees. Certain types of drug testing are necessary in to days workplace for there to be an increased effectiveness of a company on their industry. However, employees still have privacy rights that cannot be infringed upon. A good and successful detection program and rehabilitation program are essential to the survival of the employee in the workplace. Eventually, the drug addiction will impair their abilities for life. 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Er Diagrams free essay sample

Exercise 1 1. Draw an E-R diagram for each of the following situations (if you believe that you need to make additional assumptions, clearly state them for each situation): a. A hospital has a large number of registered physicians. Attributes of PHYSICIAN include Physician_ID (the identifier) and Specialty. Patients are admitted to the hospital by physicians. Attributes of PATIENT include Patient__ID (the identifier) and Patient_Name. Any patient who is admitted must have exactly one admitting physician. A physician may optionally admit any number of patients. Once admitted, a given patient must be treated by at least one physician. A particular physician may treat any number of patients, or may not treat any patients. Whenever a patient is treated by a physician, the hospital wishes to record the details of treatment (Treatment_Detail). Components of Treatment_Detail include Date, Time, and Results. 2. Table below shows a Grade Report that is mailed to stuat the end of each semester. We will write a custom essay sample on Er Diagrams or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Prepare an ER diagram reflecting the data contained in Grade Report. Assume that each course is taught by one instructor. Millennium College Grade Report Fall Semester 199X Name: Campus Address: Major: Emily Williams 208 Brooks Hall Information Systems ID: 268300458 Course ID Title Instructor Name Instructo rLocation Grade IS 350 IS 465 Database Mgt System Analysis Codd Parsons B104 B317 AB 3. Prepare an E-R diagram for a real estate firm that lists property for sale. The following describes this organization: †¢ The firm has a number of sales offices in several states. Attributes of sales office include Office_Number (identifier) and Location. †¢ Each sales office is assigned one or more employees. Attributes of employee include Employee_ID (Identifier) and Employee_Name. An employee must be assigned to only one sales office. †¢ For each sales office, there is always one employee assigned to manage that office. An employee may manage only the sales office to which she is assigned. †¢ The firm lists property for sale. Attributes of property include Property_ID (identifier) and Location. Components of Location include Address, City, State, and Zip_Code. †¢ Each unit of property must be listed with one (and only one) of the sales offices. A sales office may have any number of properties listed, or may have no properties listed. †¢ Each unit of property has one or more owners. Attributes of owners are Owner_ID (identifier) and Owner_Name. An owner may own one or more units of property. An attribute of the relationship between property ad owner is Percent_Owned. 4. Draw an E-R diagram for the following situation. Projects, Inc. , is an engineering firm with approximately 500 employees. A database is required to keep track of all employees, their skills, projects assigned, and departments worked in. Every employee has a unique number assigned by the firm, required to store his or her name and date of birth. If an employee is currently married to another employee of Projects, Inc. , the date of marriage and who is married to whom must be stored; however, no record of marriage is required if an employee’s spouse is not also an employee. Each employee is given a job title (for example, engineer, secretary, and so on). An employee does only one type of job at any given time, and we only need to retain information for an employee’s current job. There are 11 different departments, each with a unique name. An employee can report to only one department. Each epartment has a phone number. To procure various kinds of equipment, each department deals with many vendors. A vendor typically supplies equipment to many departments. We are required to store the name and address of each vendor and the date of the last meeting between a department and a vendor. Many employees can work on a project. An employee can work on many projects (for example, Southwest Refinery, California Petrochemic als, and so on) but can only be assigned to at most one project in a given city. For each city, we are interested in its state and population. An employee can have many skills (preparing material requisitions, checking drawings, and so on), but she or he may use only a given set of skills on a particular project. (For example, an employee MURPHY may prepare requisitions for the Southwest Refinery project and prepare requisitions as well as check drawings for California Petrochemicals). Employees use each skill that they possess in at least one project. Each skill is assigned a number, and we must store a short description of each skill. Projects are distinguished by project numbers, and we must store the estimated cost of each project