Getting Started in the Forensics side

[thorin]

Yes. I thought it was odd, but even the director of CID didn't say anything to me. The sheriff initiated the whole process.

No I was not trained in evidence handling. Everything ha been done on the fly, I checked out the PC I'm working on with the evidence guy. I have not been taught how to testify.

Is that violating any laws?

In Texas and a few other states that you require a PI license to perform IT Forensics yes it probably is. In addition if you have no training and no/weak background in Forensics and evidence handling it's likely that the other side can come up with something that was done wrong and cast doubt on the evidence or have it thrown out completely.

Here's another good resource:
http://4cast.whitfields.org/

[Thorn]

Yes. I thought it was odd, but even the director of CID didn't say anything to me. The sheriff initiated the whole process.

No I was not trained in evidence handling. Everything ha been done on the fly, I checked out the PC I'm working on with the evidence guy. I have not been taught how to testify.

Is that violating any laws?

You're in Florida, right? (Assuming you're the same g3k as on the DC Forums...) It may or may not be a violation of the laws there, but I'd suggest the lead investigator check with the SA (or DSA who'll end up with the case) and see what they say. You might also want to check with the FDLE to see what the laws are there, and if they have guidelines on how to proceed.

The problems that I see with it are threefold:
1) In many states, only sworn personal can even look at child porn cases. That may be a legal issue right there for both you personally and the SO for letting you even look at the evidence.
2) Not having been trained in evidence handling procedures, ANYTHING you do is subject to question by the defense. Yes, the defense can and will question anything done by someone who's been trained, but when they have been trained, saying that they've been properly trained and followed standard and established procedures on the evidence goes a long way in credibility with both the court and a jury.
3) Even if this is case is legally OK for you to proceed on, never having testified or been trained in testimony, you'll likely have your a$$ handed to you on cross examination. Have a couple of the veteran deputies who have testified multiple times in actual trials do a "mock trial" with you, so you know how nasty cross can get.

[Ghost40]

I just wanted to add my two sense. I work for a 3-letter govnerment agency. In one of those IT positions that I can't discuss my day's work when I go home. I will tell you, as they said above, its a long process. I was on the job within 3 months, but it took 9 months for my clearence to get through, and that was express.

It can be very demanding, but well worth the taxing in the end of the day. I get to go home, knowing that I made a difference in some ones life. Whether I get to talk about it or not.

Start early. PM if you have any questions, I will try to answer for you!

[g3ksan]

important stuff

thanks Thorn. I'll look into it. If that's the case then a lot of people are gonna be pissed.

[Thorn]

thanks Thorn. I'll look into it. If that's the case then a lot of people are gonna be pissed.

You're welcome, and good luck!

[pozer69]

Thank you guys for sharing your experiences. Do you guys recommend taking some of the certifications or just work on getting into a law enforcement position? I do know that if I wanted to go the FBI Special Agent route you need 3 years experience which I don't have. I don't know if that would be general it experience or forensics experience.

Thanks again for your help. Stay safe out there.

[hhmatt]

Thank you guys for sharing your experiences. Do you guys recommend taking some of the certifications or just work on getting into a law enforcement position? I do know that if I wanted to go the FBI Special Agent route you need 3 years experience which I don't have. I don't know if that would be general it experience or forensics experience.

Thanks again for your help. Stay safe out there.

I'm not in the law enforcement field. Although when I was taking my certification courses there was an FBI special agent in my class. They had absolutely no computer experience. From what she told me they were just taking regular field agents and placing them in computer courses for forensic purposes. I had the pleasure of working with her and getting her up to speed as to what each hardware component was and the basics of data. I helped as much as I could to ensure she had the knowledge to get criminals off the streets.
Long and short of it you may want to just get your foot in the door and later on prove your knowledge and how much you could help whatever agency you work for to get yourself into forensics or another computer related field.
Hope this helps you.

[Thorn]

Thank you guys for sharing your experiences. Do you guys recommend taking some of the certifications or just work on getting into a law enforcement position? I do know that if I wanted to go the FBI Special Agent route you need 3 years experience which I don't have. I don't know if that would be general it experience or forensics experience.

Thanks again for your help. Stay safe out there.

Start with the applications for getting into law enforcement, and once you have applications out there, you can start on the certs. You may get the certs finished before you get hired.

[g3ksan]

Got an update. FDLE says it's fine for a non-LEO to process CP, they just wantto make sure that I know chain of evidence and testimony. They are sending me some guidelines for policy and procedure.

Awesome :/

[Thorn]

Got an update. FDLE says it's fine for a non-LEO to process CP, they just wantto make sure that I know chain of evidence and testimony. They are sending me some guidelines for policy and procedure.

Awesome :/

Great! Now, get started on those mock trials.