Assignment

This assignment should be about one page long. Find a news story in which computer forensics played a significant role. This could be a criminal case in which a suspect was identified through forensic analysis, a civil case in which one party used forensic analysis to support their case, a national security incident in which computer forensics was instrumental in uncovering the issue, etc. As long as computer forensics was a major part of the story, you can use it. The media reports must provide some detail on how forensics played a role. Finally, the case must have been reported within the past 24 months.

Alternatively, if you were involved in a situation in your personal life or work in which computer forensics played a role, you may use that experience. For example, if you ever engaged the services of a forensic examiner or if you were ever involved in a security incident at your job that required forensic analysis, you can use that experience.

Instructions

For the written assignment, first briefly summarize the case or situation. Then explain the role played by computer forensics. Go into as much detail as you can. Finally, describe how the case reflects – or doesn’t reflect – what we’ve talked about so far in class. Do the facts of the case line up with what we’ve discussed as the role of the forensic examiner? Did the examiner in the case exhibit the qualities of forensic examiners we discussed in class? Did the case intersect with any of the legal, ethical, or organizational issues we discussed in class?

Grading Criteria

You will be graded on the quality and completeness of your analysis and on the quality of the case you select. The more interesting and complicated the case from a forensic standpoint, the better your grade. You will also be graded on clear and concise writing.