Archive for category Computer Forensics

Emergency Notification Systems

By Edward Primeau

Technology is growing faster than the world is turning. How do I know this? Because as a video forensic expert, I am on the front lines investigating new technologies and systems as they are implemented in law enforcement communities.

I recently came across a public safety system manufactured by a company called Nice Systems. Much like the Pelco systems, Nice Systems are capable of doing much more than only capturing audio and video recordings of predetermined coverage areas.

If a municipality has installed a Nice System in their community that includes intricate sensors and cameras connected to 911 call center software, those sensors and cameras can notify 911 dispatch minutes before any person can make a call to that same call center. This reduces emergency response time.

For example, let’s say that a busy intersection has the Nice Systems equipment installed. An accident occurs at that intersection. The equipment will automatically notify that area’s 911 call center of the accident seconds-if not minutes-before any person can place a call to that same call center.

This equipment is saving lives and will continue to improve technologically, keeping us forensic experts on our toes. It is the forensic expert’s job to understand how this equipment works and to use that knowledge to help the courts better understand evidence presented in a litigation that was created on this high tech equipment.

I recently reviewed an operator’s manual for a type of Nice System call center software to confirm some aspects of a case I have been assigned. The details of the manual are astonishing and the capability of the software is extremely advanced. Law enforcement officials have to spend time learning how this equipment functions so that they can maintain and operate the system to their advantage.

Sure, it takes more time and tax payer money, but this technology actually saves lives and solves crime. The time and expense are worthwhile.

As an audio and video forensic expert, not only do I have to research new systems that I receive evidence from, but I also help litigators understand the limitations and capabilities of these highly technical emergency notification systems so that the evidence created by these systems can be properly addressed by the courts. The bottom line is that as forensic experts, we never stop learning and growing in order to keep up with technology. When we learn, we help others learn as well.

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What You Need to Know About AC Adapters for Laptops

By Anda Cristina Boanca

AC adapters for laptops could sometimes be the first one that is going to give out. If you have a laptop, basically, all of its parts are sturdy in construction except the adapters. Adapters are the first ones giving out because of the wire and the careless use of some owners.

The AC adapters are known to charge the battery of the laptops. Without the adapters, your laptop’s 2-4 hour battery capacity would have been nothing. Depending on how you use the AC adapters, it could even protect other parts of the laptop from wear and tear.

Aside from charging the battery, it could also be used directly to power the laptop. If you see most people conserve the life of their laptop’s battery by removing the battery pack when it is at home and instead using the adapter, this is among the many ways on how the adapter helps to sustain durability of the other laptop parts.

The problem with AC adapters for laptops is the fact that they differ from one brand to the other. This means that if you happened to have problems with your adapter, what you need to do is to go to the manufacturer and buy a new one. But the trouble with these things is the fact that they are so expensive. The fact that there is a specific laptop charger makes it just that.
There are many ways in order for you to take care of your adapters. One, you need to know that the function of the adapter is to charge the batteries. If you are going to use your laptop, it is highly suggested that you make sure to plug it to the suggested current. For the US made laptops, they typically require 110V.

The problem with this kind of charger is the basic premise that you need to have a transformer. If you are not going to have a charger, plugging it in to the 220V outlet especially in Asia may bring you trouble. It could affect your batteries and your adapter. Typically today, the manufacturers created an auto volt system which allows chargers to be used from 110V to 220V.

Always read the manual first before you even use the laptop. There are times when the warranty wouldn’t cover for such instances. You need to be careful when you are dealing with electronic items.
If you are going to use the adapter, make sure that you are not bending the wires. The bend in the wires would sometimes cause the charger not to charge the laptop’s battery. You could however fix the problem if you have a tester. You could check for the continuity of the wire.

There are times when you need to replace the wire. In replacing a wire, you don’t need to cut the whole wire. But instead, you could in fact focus resetting the broken part and solder it with the good ends. If you are not aware on how to do this, you could go to your laptop experts for more information.

If you want to know if your AC adapter is charging well, you could look into the LED that would light when it is charging. You could also have the laptop’s monitor checked if it says “charging”. This way, you could isolate the problem if it is with the charger, the laptop battery or the female jack of the laptop that needs repair.

It is common to see AC adapters for laptops become forgotten parts of laptops. What you need to remember is that it is imperative to have a good and functional adapter to have a good laptop as well. With these things in consideration, your AC adapter will last definitely last longer.

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Function Of The Computer Forensic Company In Our Digital Economy

By Chuck Lunsford

The computer forensic organization delivers expert services that can help commercial organizations to manufacture an appropriate strategy with regard to data preservation, computer forensics in addition to electronic discovery procedures. Desktops have turned into both built-in and vital for day-to-day living for everybody. Since almost everybody has become progressively more connected to the net almost continuously, the purpose of discretion of data has increased. With desktops becoming more and more part of our day-to-day existence, both professionally as well as on a more social level, there’s a requirement for this type of work. This area will make it possible for applicable electronic information to be discovered, whether it was misplaced, deleted, wrecked, or hidden, and used to take legal action against fraudsters.

This field takes advantage of analytical and investigatory methods to acquire, uncover and protect selective information and facts which can be electronically preserved or encrypted. Businesses which specialize in this niche aid in detailing the right technique to accumulate facts and exactly where this kind of information can be placed. In the modern digital era, data is generally available at the workers workstation and laptops, websites, pen drives, cameras, smartphones and other mobile e-medium. There are no physical boundaries to the accessibility to such information. Computer Forensics’ professionals hold the capabilities to communicate with the sometimes geeky Information Technology specialists in addition to crafty lawyers to make the data usable.

These businesses employ forensic techniques and methods to locate the hidden realities without altering the facts. This approach involves the application of hardware and software programs to guide probes while not modifying the primary type of the information. So many people are unaware in regards to what computer forensics is as well as the reason why a corporation may need to interact with a computer forensics company. Forensics’ examiners assist establishments to develop subprograms for the study of data on computing devices. It calls for a well conceived approach constructed in accordance with the leading standards of electronic discovery of digitally saved material.

With the purpose of desktops in business enterprises as well as for business ventures the odds of an individual getting involved in cybercrime ventures can be quite high. There can be extremely innovative thieves who get into inside safeguarded information devices hunting for material or maybe security passwords both to steal money as well as carry out business espionage. We have witnessed current situations in huge multi-national corporations being exposed to computer and electronic thefts.Any time an unpleasant incident of this nature occurs businesses call for the professional services of a computer forensic company to identify what precisely occurred.

These businesses provide the services of a team of expert forensic experts. These people are seasoned pros who are experienced in mastering electronic and digital programs design. The expertise of these types of firms is normally employed in the following wide-ranging categories:

a) Criminal prosecution
b) Civil litigation
c) Insurance companies claims
d) Assist large corporations in cases like embezzlement and insider trading
e) Law Enforcement directorate
f) Other Individual cases of breach of security of digital information.

The function of the Computer Forensic Company in this digital market is quintessential and vital. They benefit their customers with constructing the correct method for data protection, opposing witness reviews, computer forensics and e-discovery methods.

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