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Computer Law/PA law regulating Computer Forensic Examiners

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Expert: - 7/13/2008


Question
Cmdr.,

There has been news of late that states (TX, SC, and others) are requiring CFCE's to hold a private detective's license to practice.

Is there any current, pending or proposed legislation in Pennsylvania taking this direction?

In the same vein, do you have a list of those states to ARE requiring PI licensing for CFCE's?

Thank you.

Answer
Hi Bai,

There has been quite a lot of chatter on the Computer Forensics forum boards about this subject lately. As of right now there is no one place that list all those states that do require a PI license for Examiners.

The discussion has been around the idea that most Computer Forensic Investigators do not feel how a PI license is applicable to being a CFCE. I agree with them in that I only see it as a way for the states to make money in the licensing fees. A CFCE does not conduct "investigations" in the same way that a PI does. But that is only my personal opinion.

You can ask this question at Computer Forensics World (http://www.computerforensicsworld.com/index.php) which is what I have found to be a great resource for those wanting to find anything out about CF.
Also here are a few other places to connect to other CFE's:
http://groups.google.com/group/CompCI?hl=en
http://groups.google.com/group/ComputerForensicsExperts?hl=en

Until there is one governing body for CFE's there will be no one place to check for these things. The above links should give you the answer though.

Be safe.

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Chris Wagoner

Expertise

I can answer questions concerning Computer Crime Investigations and Internet investigations including Computer Crime Laws both at the State level and Federal level. I can answer questions on almost any crime in which a computer is used. In addition I can answer questions concerning copywrite infringement (peer to peer, and copying). I served as a police Commander and conducted and still conduct Computer Crime Investigations at the Local, State and Federal level. I have investigated all most any kind of crime with which or which involved a computer and the internet, from murders, kidnappings, extortion, drug dealing and more. I can answer questions concerning Computer Forensics (the art of recovering information from a suspects computer), Computer Crime Investigations and Internet Investigations. I am a Federally Court Recognized Expert in Computer Crime and Computer Forensics. I have worked in both Facebook and MySPace, also in Peer to Peer investigations. In addition I can answer questions concerning child predators and how to make your children safer on-line. I teach Computer Forensics, Internet Investigations, Peer to Peer Investigations and other computer crime related subjects for several colleges and the Institute of Police Technology and Management. My hobby webpage - Military Videos - http://www.youtube.com/user/3rdID8487

Experience

I conduct computer crime investigations in conjunction with the F.B.I., Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, Gainesville Police Department, and University of Florida Police Department, Levi County Sheriff’s Office, Starke Police Department and other agencies in the North Florida Court District. I provide the forensic data recovery services for those agencies as well as internet tracing and information gathering. I am a Federal Court Certified Expert in Computer Crime Investigations and Forensics. I teach Computer Forensics for the University of North Florida, Institute of Police Technology and Management. I also teach Computer Crime courses for Tallahassee Community College, Pat Thomas Law Enforcement Training Center. Associate Instructor; teach Computer Crime courses thorough out the world for IPTM. Presently Teach Cyber Crime Investigations, Computer Crime Investigations and Computer Forensic Data Recovery Course.

Education/Credentials
2 Degrees in Criminal Justice, now teach college level Data Forensics classes

Awards and Honors
Awarded the FBI Directors Award for assisting the FBI in a National Computer Crime Investigation. Awarded Dec 2002

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