Page 6 - Understandinging Forensic Technology Landscape

Summary

An understanding of the use of forensic technologies This reference guide provides a roadmap for
in forensic services encompasses a wide landscape practitioners. Obstacles abound, technologies evolve,
of tools, approaches, and techniques. The available existing tools are updated as flaws are identified and
tools continue to evolve rapidly. Forensic practitioners new features are added, providers are acquired or go out
continue to innovate the ways they are used in forensic of business, and new platforms and approaches emerge.
services engagements. For the forensic practitioner, Even in this everchanging landscape, familiarity with
understanding the current landscape of forensic the major groups of technologies will help practitioners
technologies is a challenge. identify areas for professional development, challenge
themselves to find more efficient and effective
Some practitioners become experts in the use of specific approaches to engagement execution, access and
tools and techniques, but few of us can claim expertise manage specialized resources, and anticipate emerging
in all of them. Yet, a variety of technologies and analytics technologies. When a deeper dive is warranted, the
may be needed within a single engagement. To be reference guide provides a starting point for further
successful, practitioners need a working knowledge of learning.
the overall landscape and need to know how to access
more information when needed. Whether practitioners The information in this reference guide is believed to
develop mastery of specific technologies or work be accurate as of the date of publication. Practitioners
collaboratively with other team members, an orientation must, however, perform their own research and
to the full range of possible technologies is essential. assessments to ensure that the information is current
and applicable to their facts and circumstances.
This reference guide is designed as a resource to map
that landscape. It summarizes the vast array of tools, The reference guide was assembled by a working
techniques and approaches into major groups of group of experienced forensic services practitioners,
technologies used in forensic services engagements. including those with expertise in accounting, computer
For each of the major technology groups, the reference science, library science, industry, law enforcement and
guide provides an overview of the technology, a professional services. We are indebted to them for their
description of typical use cases, and references to contributions.
additional resources to acquire and learn more about the
technology.

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