PM Investigations, Inc. specializes in computer forensics consultation and investigations or examinations. PM Investigations has access to a wide variety of tools from custom written applications to industry standard applications used by most Federal and State Government Agencies.  Below is a short list of areas computer forensics may fall under:

• Recovery of deleted or encrypted file(s) such as emails or documents
• Analyzing and determining the scope of when the file was first altered or copied
• Employee harassment in the work place by using electronic means
• E-mail and documents search and recovery
• Deceitful hiding or altering of data with attempts to avoid litigation

What is computer forensics?
Computer forensics is the investigation or examination of a computer hard drive, thumb drive, or other digital media that used to store electronic material such as pictures, documents, spreadsheets, or other important data.  The act takes place usually in the past spreading over a time period from days to months or even years.

Why computer forensics?
Data collection can be defined as one portion of the computer/digital forensic process where data/information is gathered, organized, and processed for purposes of forensically analyzing in preparation/anticipation of legal action. Computer forensics can assist your case by either validating a fact or dispelling a lie.

Examples of computer forensics
Though simple in definition, computer forensics actually includes a wide range of computer data copying, destroying, or data manipulation by unauthorized individuals:

• Theft of trade secrets: Before an employee leaves your company, he or she collects your industry contacts and/or “magic formulas” with the intent to use with a new employer or a self-starting business.

• Theft of or destruction of intellectual property: A disgruntled employee suddenly leaves your company and prior to doing so erases all of your data from the computer she or he was assigned to.

• Data Manipulation:  Your client’s soon to be ex-spouse purposely alters the financial outlook of your family retirement by moving funds or changing accounts using the home personal computer.

• Hacking: Your client’s ex breaks into your client’s personal email account by using a key logger installed on the family computer or by simply guessing the password and gaining access to the information.

• Child Pornography: A person collects images or videos of children in violation of Federal and/or State Laws.

• Pirating: Copying or distributing software or hardware to those without paying for the product without the proper authority or permission to do so.

The rise in different types of cybercrime now consists of Computer trespass, Cyber bullying, and Cyber terrorism.

Any or all of the information PM Investigations recovers about computer forensics like these may be helpful during discovery, depositions or actual litigation. Visit the PM Investigations’ Services page to learn more about how and whom we serve.