Digital devices such as cell phones, tablets, gaming consoles, laptop and desktop computers have become indispensable part of the modern society. With the proliferation of these devices in our everyday lives, there is the tendency to use information derived from them for criminal activities. Crimes such as fraud, drug trafficking, homicide, hacking, forgery, and terrorism often involve computers.
To fight computer crimes, digital forensics (DF) originated in law enforcement, computer security, and national defense.
Law enforcement agencies, financial institutions, and investment firms are incorporating digital forensics into their infrastructure.
Digital forensics is used to help investigate cybercrime or identify direct evidence of a computer-assisted crime.
The concept of digital forensics dates back to late 1990s and early 2000s when it was considered as computer forensics.
The legal profession, law enforcement, policy makers, the business community, education, and government all have a vested interest in DF. Digital forensics is often used in both criminal law and private investigation. It has been traditionally associated with criminal law. It requires rigorous standards to stand up to cross examination in court.
