Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Career Path in Computer Forensics

Career in Forensic Science
            In regards of the previous post I had called "Forensic Dentistry", Professor Quinn had commented on it and asked me if there was a possible career path. Forensic science does well entertaining me by the nature of its duties. When I think about forensic science, I feel like an amateur Sherlock Holmes or an innocent Dexter and feel fascinated by the investigation part. I'm currently majoring in the field of computer science and almost feel obligated to researching careers in computer forensics (computer forensics is studying legal evidence through computers and digital storage media technology). This may not be the most interesting field of forensic science to many, but I can relate to it with my current major and is worth researching.
About Computer Forensics
            In case one has not read the previous computer forensic post, computer forensics deal with investigations through legal evidence on computers and any digital storage. Crimes through uses with the computer can be identified and evaluated to solve the case. Any action dealt on a computer is recorded and is usually dated, thus the computer forensic specialists come into play (Lerner and Lerner 1). However, these traces to the operations are very fragile and the files containing the operations can be easily lost. There are many steps to analyzing computer data, but to sum it up, specialists perform: examinations on the computer, network devices, compact disks, unallocated space, and emails and so on. This was a brief explanation of computer forensics, read more on my previous blog called "Computer Forensics".
Eligibility for Computer Forensics
            To apply for computer forensic jobs, one requires lengthy education involving knowledge of the ever-growing evolving computers. According to Lee Lerner and Brenda Wilmoth Lerner, " Computer forensics is a relatively new area of forensic science and one that requires considerable expert knowledge of operating systems, computer hardware and software, and the workings of the Internet" (1). Just knowing how a computer works is not always enough, the applicant for a computer forensic position must be cunning. For example, terrorists or opposing forces can attempt hacking sensitive information from any company or organization, the scientist must be able to prevent them or stop further stolen information if leaked. Possible bachelor degrees include computer science, criminal justice, or engineering and so on (Niznik 1).Although it is possible to gain interviews without degrees, certain certifications (A+, Network+, Security+) can be used as a substitute. Certifications are trainings proving the higher learning of knowledge that one contains, usually meant for low income students without college experience or returning veterans to help connect them to potential employers. The degrees and certifications are great, but the most important factor of becoming a computer forensic is knowing the tools of your trade and the law system. One must be heavily knowledgeable to avoid missed opportunities because in this field, time is of the essence.
Computer Forensics Specialist's Salary
            Here below lies a table of the years of experience and average annual salary for a computer forensics specialist. The table was created via Microsoft Word while the data was taken from an online source (Salaries 1). As one can see from the graph, the salary drastically increases through years of experience.
Average Salary by Years of Experience

0 Years
1-4 Years
5-9 Years
$40,000
$40,000-$80,000
$80,000-$120,000

Conclusion
            Forensic science is a very interesting field to me and although the initial spark of the topic was from the show Dexter, the future career choice is very real. The salary is low at first, but it drastically increases through small increments of experience via years as seen through the table above. Technology is a rapidly growing field in our world and is a major component of everyday life. The benefits of learning the processes and the uses of technology itself is a huge benefit, getting paid to put that knowledge to everyday use is a phenomenal career choice.

Works Cited
"Computer forensics." World of Forensic Science. Ed. K. Lee Lerner and Brenda Wilmoth Lerner. Detroit: Gale, 2006. Science In Context. Web. 27 Mar. 2013.
"Salaries of a Computer Forensics Specialist." EHow. Demand Media, 21 July 2009. Web. 27 Mar. 2013.
Niznik, John S. "Computer Forensics Careers." About.com Tech Careers. About.com, 2013. Web. 27 Mar. 2013.

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Forensic Dentistry

Forensic Dentistry
            To further my studies in body examination, not can we use insects to identify a body, we can also use teeth from corpses or human remains. This reliable source of forensics is used during a mass tragedy such as burned bodies or just plain destroyed. According to Lee Lerner and Brenda Wilmoth Lerner, "teeth are the most enduring part of the human body, apart from bone" (1). In fact, teeth last longer than anything else in our body after death, even after embalming the body. Everyone is born with the same number and type of teeth, but each tooth has its individual unique trace. If a victim or suspect is taken into custody; while teeth and or bite marks are involved in the crime scene, dental records may be called upon or then created. Forensic dentistry has been used in many historical cases to identify criminals.
Back in The Day
            Forensic dentistry; or the use of teeth for identification, was used in the first century A.D..  It was then again used in England and even in Paul Revere's life. According to the research of the Lerners:
The Roman Emperor Claudius had his mistress, Lollia Paulina, beheaded and then demanded to examine the teeth on the body to ensure the right woman had been put to death. He knew she had a discolored front tooth. In another early example of dental identification, William the Conqueror, King of England in the eleventh century, would bite into wax used to seal official documents. His teeth were misaligned, so his bite mark guaranteed the documents' authenticity. In 1775, Paul Revere, famous for alerting American colonists to the approach of British forces, made a set of dentures for a friend, Dr. Joseph Warren, who was killed at the Battle of Bunker Hill that year. Warren was buried in a mass grave, but his family wanted the body for a private burial. Revere was able to identify Warren's body through the dentures he had made (1).
It actually works, forensic dentistry is a reliable source of identification and has been used for centuries. Dental records can show the unique trace of one's teeth and any operations that has been performed, for example, if one were to have dentures inserted, that would be displayed and easily used in court to identify a person. Now for the United States and recent uses.
United States and Early Forensic Dentistry
            In the 1800's, there were two major dates for forensic dentistry and they were 1849 and 1878, for the first dental presentation in court and use of dental records, respectively. According to the Lerner's:
In United States courts, dental evidence was first presented in court in 1849 when the incinerated remains of a George Parkman were identified by Nathan Cooley Keep through a partial denture he had made for this patient. He proved identity by fitting the prosthesis onto the cast that had been used in its manufacture. The evidence led to the conviction and execution of a J.W. Webster for the murder (1).
Then in 1878, a fire occurred at the Vienna Opera House where over a hundred people burned and died. Dental remains were used to identify some of the 126 dead people (Brenda Lerner and Lee Lerner 1). This prompted for the writing of the first textbook on forensic dentistry since how influential it was on solving the identities of many.
Conclusion
            Forensic dentistry may not seem like a huge part of forensic science, but knowing who dealt the crime and to incarcerate the criminal is essential by any legal means necessary. For example, many notorious figures of our world have been identified by dental records. Adolf Hitler, John F. Kennedy's assassin, and the remains of Czar Nicholas the second have been identified by means of forensic dentistry (Brenda Lerner and Lee Lerner 1). Forensic dentistry is a wonderful addition to the arsenal of crime fighting.
Works Cited
"Odontology, historical cases." World of Forensic Science. Ed. K. Lee Lerner and Brenda Wilmoth Lerner. Detroit: Gale, 2006. Science In Context. Web. 20 Mar. 2013.

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Forensic Toxicology


Forensic Toxicology
            In forensic science, there is a specific specialty to analyze and identify the use of toxins or drugs in a victim's body or anywhere at a crime scene, and with this, we can supply the investigators with more information about the case.  Forensic scientists studying toxicology can analyze various types of samples that can be used while considering the context of a crime scene. Knowing the crime scene and what happened is half the battle when solving a crime. In this blog, we will analyze the various ways of samples can help solve crimes.
Types of Samples
            A forensic toxicologist is normally given preserved samples of body fluids, stomach contents, and organ parts with a report about the victims symptoms and or post-mortem data. There are more samples but this blog will be limited to just four samples.
  • Urine
  • Blood
  • Hair
  • Oral fluid
Urine can be analyzed for drug presence and is less likely to be infectious with diseases. Blood can confirm most common toxic substances that the victim was influenced by at the time. Hair can record medium to long term (up to a year) dosages of substance abuse. Oral fluid; saliva, contains concentrations of drugs used and is good for recent drug use analysis.
Information on Analysis
            To analyze any sample, the scientists use analytical chemistry techniques to detect and identify foreign chemicals in the body. Lee Lerner and Brenda Wilmoth state, "Toxins can be simple metal ions or more complex, inorganic and organic chemicals, as well as compounds derived from bacteria or fungi and animal-produced substances such as venoms" (1). The three categories that forensic toxicologists study are:
Identification of drugs such as heroin, cocaine, cannabis; detection of drugs and poisons in body fluids, tissues, and organs; and measuring of alcohol in blood or urine samples.   Results of the laboratory procedures must then be interpreted and are often used as           evidence in legal cases (Lerner and Wilmoth 1).
Forensic toxicologists begin analysis by screening tests, processing any sample for toxins. There are four different types of screening tests used. According to Lerner and Wilmoth:
Firstly, physical aspects of a substance such as boiling point, melting point, density, and refractive index can be determined. Secondly, the substance can be crystallized, which can give a wealth of structural information. Thirdly, chemical spot testing can be done.     Here, a substance is treated with a chemical reagent to produce crystals. Fourthly, thin     layer or gas chromatography can be used to separate individual chemical components of a mixture (1).
With the screening tests, the toxicologists can analyze the samples and conclude on whether the presence of drugs were found in the sample and or victim.
Examples of Toxins in Cases
According to Rafael Banon:

1.--Cases of mistreated children or elderly people:
The detection of urine stains on sheets, blankets or mattresses, together with determining the toxic substances present, could be of great usefulness. The same may be said of such detection on nappies, sanitary towels or other hygienic materials.
2.--In "drug facilitated sexual assault" (DFSA), following the discovery of the scene of   the crime, the detection of a drug in urine stains found could provide all-important     evidence of a crime. Traces could be found on surfaces such as sheets or vehicle seats, among others. Finding them on these surfaces is of great importance due to the short average lifespan of the toxic substances that are usually employed. [...]
5.--Finally, in other cases of sexual aggression with development of paraphilia behaviour--such as urophilia or undinism--the non-detection of toxic substances in the urine stains found on the victim, would be of great value. [...] This could also apply in other crimes such as robbery, burglary, etc. to stains found at the scene of the crime(1).
Conclusion
            In the forensic science of toxicology, the simple analysis of drug presence can mean the context of a crime scene or a criminal. Nowadays with education, criminals are increasing their intelligence and becoming more careful. Thus the need for every forensic science, as every small piece of evidence could mean the life of a case.
Works Cited
Banon, Rafael, et al. "A crossroad between criminalistics and forensic toxicology." The Internet Journal of Forensic Science 14 Dec. 2009. Science In Context. Web. 6 Mar. 2013.
"Toxicology." World of Forensic Science. Ed. K. Lee Lerner and Brenda Wilmoth Lerner. Detroit: Gale, 2006. Science In Context. Web. 6 Mar. 2013.