Electronic Crime Scene Investigation

The National Institute of Justice has a number of publications that are handy for the criminal investigator. One particularly helpful publication is the guide pictured above: "Electronic Crime Scene Investigation: A Guide for First Responders." The Guide sets out guidelines that should be followed by law enforcement and other investigators to protect, recognize, collect, and preserve electronic evidence at the scene. The guide can help one review whether law enforcement followed correct protocol in gathering data from a crime scene. It also provides tips for anyone, properly trained, to collect electronic evidence without corrupting the evidence. When in doubt, always have a mirror image prepared of computers or other media to preserve its original condition when seized.