In law enforcement, computer forensics professionals may work for local police departments, state police departments, or the Federal Bureau of Investigation. They may go to the scene of incidents, gather evidence, investigate the evidence, and write reports. They may also provide testimony for criminal cases in court. Individuals who specialize in the forensic study of computers may also be called “cyber investigators”, “cyber cops”, or “digital detectives”.

Computer forensics experts investigate crimes such as identity theft, credit card fraud, intellectual property theft, threats/harassment, pedophilia, and unauthorized computer system intrusion. These computer crimes or “cyber crimes” constitute a significant risk to individuals, companies, and governments. Cyber crimes result in tens of millions of dollars of dollars in losses each year.

Computer forensics examiners need a wide range of technical skills and knowledge. They must have expertise in network security, protocols, software, computer file formats, routing, cryptology, reverse software engineering, password cracking, and diagnostic techniques. In addition to technical skills, professionals in this field must have good oral and written communication skills, understand and comply with investigation procedures, work under tight deadlines, have problem solving abilities and be creative and persistent in the pursuit of evidence.

Experts in this field may also be involved in crimes that were not directly committed via computer. There may be information stored on a computer or storage device that is important for the case. For example, e-mail evidence can be used in cases against robbery and homicide suspects. Computer forensics experts are needed in these cases, as there are very specific procedures that must be followed for digital information to be presented as valid evidence.

Missing persons are many and greatly varied; they can become missing for any number of different reasons. Someone who has disappeared for a long time, with no apparent reason, is generally termed as a “missing” person

With resolve and adequate information, it is possible to locate just about anyone. However, there are variables that can turn the most simple of searches into the most difficult ones.

Finding a lost friend is sometimes as simple as calling directory assistance or using CD roms. These could produce valuable leads that, in turn, could produce successful searches. Locating a debtor could be a little more difficult.

Generally, people are aware of the resources available. It is another matter that those resources are strangely overlooked. It is astonishing that many people have been found through the telephone book or directory assistance, after initially overlooked by the client. Public records, such as court files, motor vehicle records and property records can be competent sources of useful information. Resolve, is the key here. It is imperative to search, verify and follow up leads until all have been exhausted or the missing person found.

For investigators, the resources available are exhaustive. Computerized records can generate various sources as well as faulty information. While an investigation is performed, it requires finding data and then sifting the accurate from the inaccurate. An investigator requires all possible information to find a missing individual. It is rare that a few telephone calls find a missing person.

Most investigators have three ways of agreeing to an assignment. They are: flat fee, budgeted and simply finding the missing person. The flat fee investigation involves a higher fee for finding a missing person and a lesser fee for a failed case. Then there are the “no find/no fee” plans. Though this may sound good ? it can cost you $100 for a successful case – it offers no incentive for the investigator to give his best to the search.