Bench testing: what to look for in a computer forensics consultant

A few years ago, I was writing articles that were trying to convince investigators of the value of digital evidence, Pat Beardmore , Head of Computer Forensics at Protiviti recalls. I am pretty sure we have all now moved on and most of us realise that in the majority of cases it’s almost impossible to carry out an effective and thorough investigation without looking at the IT side of things. However, it is still a new and sometimes daunting element for the investigator to deal with. This is especially the case when, as so often happens, management of the investigation is left in the hands of internal audit, finance or other personnel who cannot be expected to understand the ‘ins and outs’ of digital evidence.

Pat Beardmore, Head of Computer Forensics, Protiviti can be reached on tel: +44 (0) 20 7024 7536; email: pat.beardmore@protiviti.co.uk

A few months ago, I had my wife’s Polo serviced at a local garage. Somehow, the routine service turned into a UK£650 bill for multiple repairs that we neither knew were required nor had given permission to carry out. With a background in consumer protection, I should have been more careful to brief the garage on what I wanted. But I am no mechanic and, without a second opinion, I could not really argue about the final bill. The crux of the problem was the knowledge gap between myself and the garage and the fact that I had to trust them.