Investigating Computer Crime by Franklin Clark and Ken Deliberto,
CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida, 1996.
To a very large extent, modern society has become dependent on computers. Individuals in all walks of life, from Wall Street investors to farmers, now use computers to perform their jobs more quickly and efficiently.
Unfortunately, however, computers are not just the tools of law-abiding citizens. Increasingly, they are being used to commit crimes. In recent years, computers have become tools of choice for not only white-collar criminals but also for a growing number of violent offenders, such as drug traffickers and child molesters. Law enforcement agencies must develop the expertise necessary to confront these increasingly hi-tech criminals.
Investigating Computer Crime covers many of the topics with which law enforcement agencies must become familiar. The coauthors, both experienced criminal investigators with considerable backgrounds in computers, provide a wealth of information in a clear and concise manner. They describe, in detail, the different types of computer systems and hardware that investigators might encounter, from mainframes and personal computers to "home style" systems frequently used by computer crackers. The authors devote one particularly timely chapter to discussing the different network systems currently in use and some of the problems associated with detecting and investigating crimes committed on these systems.
Other chapters discuss serving search warrants in cases involving computers, safeguarding computer evidence, and ensuring a proper chain of command for computer evidence. In these chapters, the authors provide an excellent overview of computer seizures and advocate a team approach when law enforcement agencies serve warrants calling for the confiscation of computer equipment. In addition, they provide helpful sample search warrants that can be used for the seizure of computer-related evidence.
The authors also include insightful discussions of emerging technological issues. One such chapter deals with encryption, while another offers suggestions for investigating underground bulletin board systems.
Still, the authors of Computer Crime recognize that computer technology changes too rapidly to be addressed comprehensively in a book. So, they not only recommend that investigators constantly seek out competent, qualified instructors in this area, but they also provide a useful directory of notables in the field. Law enforcement personnel will find Investigating Computer Crime a good first step in learning to deal with computer-related criminal activity.
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