Technologies Used in Computer Forensics Investigation Science - Icfeci

Technology and the internet have provided a wide platform for cyber as well as white collar crimes. Crime involving the use of computers and technology is rising in unprecedented proportions. In light of this, the field of forensic investigation has introduced cutting edge tools and equipments in order to remain at par with the criminals.

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THEN THEY CAME FOR ME

As a criminal investigator, I am sometimes called on to piece together the stories of those who cannot speak for themselves—the very young and the very old. I believe in the sanctity of life. A recent spate of cases I’ve worked, combined with an uptick in news coverage for these kinds of cases, has me worried. I wonder, are we heading down a slippery slope that will take us back in time to the dark days of the Holocaust?

The inevitable question that is asked in abuse, neglect and death cases of the very young and very old is HOW CAN THIS HAPPEN?

The Holocaust Museum, in Washington DC is a haunting and often disturbing look back in history. It’s a physical place that endeavors to answer the question with relics and artifacts. It does so much more. It challenges us to look at ourselves.

First, it’s important to understand that the slippery slope I mentioned above doesn’t start with a widespread killing mechanism. The Nazis started with sorting humanity in Germany and growing those programs in the countries that were subsequently conquered. At first there were simple charts, genealogy in nature. Your life had value if you could “prove” your “purity.” Next came medical examinations of hair and eye color. Something as common as brown eyes, or dark hair could lower your status.

The Nazis then determined who could serve in the military, and that was mandatory. The non-pure were sorted into two groups: those who could work, and those who could not. Those who could not work, included the elderly, sick and disabled.  The year was 1939, the program was dubbed  “T4”. And ultimately 90,000 disabled where euthanized. A mere 80 years ago.

From that point, the killing machine was in full force.  We know the end of the story.  The “Final Solution” ultimately killed 11,000,000 people.  Of course we know the tragic plight of the Jews , estimated at 6,000,000 deaths.  But the killing spread from the disabled, and very young, Jews, then Roma “gypsies”, homosexuals, Jehovah’s Witnesses, ex-convicts, and others who resisted occupation (political dissidents).  Add in the Soviet prisoners of war, and the number exceeds a staggering 17,000,000. And, remember, it started with “mercy killings” of the disabled. (The Nazis even produced a propaganda film in which a German man kills his sick wife to encourage ordinary people to join the “cleaning” of the German race.)

A growing number of countries, including the US, have legalized assisted suicide. Although on the surface it seems reasonable to allow people who suffer from physical pain and diminished quality of life to end their lives, there is a recent shift in the “right to die” movement.  People with treatable and manageable conditions such as depression are making petitions to die. Some European countries have dealt with cases of rapists and murderers who want to die rather than face prison.

 Here in the US, we face some troubling realities.  We are living longer. Our elderly are covered by Medicare, and this government insurance program approves and declines medical procedures on our aging population. Two startling statistics arise in consideration of care: 1) 5% of patients at the end of life consume 50% of the costs for Medicare, and 2) in the last 6 months of life, it’s estimated almost 30% of a person’s lifetime healthcare costs are spent. Are we at the point where cost considerations are the slippery slope I’ve mentioned?

I’m concerned also about so-called partial birth procedures. At what point do those go from voluntary  and used to spare a mother’s life to compulsory? I can see in the not-so-distant-future when, again, costs could mandate these lives aren’t cost effective.

It’s easy to say, I’m young and healthy. My insurance wouldn’t do that. The US appears to be moving to “Medicare for All.” If, and when, we become a single payer system, will all life be valued and protected? Or will we begin sorting ourselves?

German pastor Martin Niemoller wrote a poem called “First they came…”  It’s been edited and changed over the years, and originally was written to criticize the German intellectuals who did nothing as the Nazis began purging unwanted populations.

“First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—Because I am not a socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—Because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.”

Now, replace the words I bolded, with words that describe yourself, your friends, your religion, your politics, your race, etc. It’s a haunting reminder from just the last century.  Let’s never look back on our society and ask, “HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?”

I’m hopeful we can live in such a way that respects life. All we need do is live by the “do unto others” mantra, and vote for those representatives that will continue our collective respect for life. We must hold each other accountable for the least among us. I’ve already chosen to take a stand for the weak and broken in society. I’m hopeful you will stand with me.

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Dangerous Digital Playground - Perverts, Pedophiles and Pimps ARE Hunting for Children - Icfeci

It’s an arduous task protecting children. After it’s too late, devastated parents want to know how their children could have been protected. As a criminal defense investigator, almost one-third of my cases involve sexual exploitation of children.  Sadly, I’ve handled more than 1600 these tragic situations. In the past, I’ve spoken to church and civic groups on this unsettling and disturbing topic.

One example of a case that haunts me: I was asked to forensically examine a laptop belonging to a thirteen year old child. The laptop contained the typical social media platforms. Within those social media platforms were pictures, videos and text of an inappropriate and enticing nature, sent directly to the child. There were subsequent text messages and photo exchanges. The end result was tragic.

Everyone seems to understand the dangers of The Internet, and we know that there are plenty of websites that are inappropriate for minors. I want to be very clear. Fewer kids are using email and websites. That means, social media platforms are the playgrounds for perverts, pedophiles and pimps.

WHO?

I use the term “predator” to cover the “3 P’s” of the digital playground: perverts, pedophiles, and pimps.  I define perverts as those who derive sexual gratification from something that is illegal and/or outside the “norms” of society.  Pedophiles are bit more specific—adults who enjoy sexual acts with children. There are other, more specific classes of “-philes” that identify specific age groups of minors.  And, the pimps? These are the “entrepreneurs” of the dark world of sex crimes.  Motivated by money, they profit from their illegal sexual “business.” To keep it simple, I’ll call them predators.

Predators hunt.

Minor children (male and female) are being targeted by predators (male and female). It’s not just opposite sexes to be concerned about. An older female (even an older teen) will befriend a younger girl on social media.  The same is true for boys. This has nothing to do with a child’s sexual orientation. To a predator, a child is an “object,” not a person.

WHAT?

Predators are seeing to “groom” (introduce, foster and normalize) children into sexual activity.  Although many believe this is limited to actual physical sexual acts, it’s much broader and complicated than that. Predators seek photos and videos of children dressed, naked, and “taking direction.” Once a child is groomed into a sexualized situation, the predator has opened the door to personal contact.  This can be a “date” (in the predator’s mind), but I’m seeing any contact feeding human trafficking.  Children are bought, sold, and traded across jurisdictions for sex.

WHERE?

These tragedies are happening across the US, and all over the world. If a community has cell towers, computers, and digital devices—the predators are already there. We have a tendency to think, “This could never happen here.”  It’s happening.  It’s already happened.  And, it will happen again.

WHEN?

Cellphones, tablets  and any type of computer (including game systems) are “open” 24//7. Predators are hunting for children every morning, noon, and night.

HOW?

Most predators make outbound contact with a potential victim on a social media platform by “liking” or commenting on a topic or photo your child is interested in.  Frequently called a “DM” (direct message), the predator will often contact a child via the platform’s messaging plug in features. The messages often start with humor, or a subject a child has expressed interest in via a “fan page,” group, or “friend of a friend.” As I said above, these people are experts in children. From the initial contact, the predators often encourage children to download other apps, such as WhatsApp, SnapChat, or others.  (Predators mistakenly believe these apps are 100% private.) Once contact is established, the process of grooming a child for exploitation begins. Within a few messages, these predators can convince many children to send photos, video, and identifying data.

WHY?

This is the most asked questions by the families of victims. It’s also the hardest to answer. The bottom line is this, some people are evil.

There are people that are sexually attracted to children. There is no polite way to convey this concept. We can indulge in long theoretical discussion of “if” these people were once victimized.  But, the bottom line is this is a horrific crime.

And, the emerging reality—exploitation of children is a business for some predators.  There are people on social media, both male and female, that are actively “recruiting” children into prostitution and human trafficking.  They “pimp” (sell or rent) a minor, male or female for sexual purposes, for money. The bottom line is this, exploitation of children is a crime.

CONCLUSION:

Next time as an adult, you receive a message to be friends, and the messages have inappropriate materials, know that your children are receiving the same. Yes.  This IS happening if your child is on social media. My advice is this: Social media is not the place for children!  If your child must be on social media, monitor what they are doing.

As technology continues to change and expand at a breakneck pace, we have to be vigilant regarding social media. As quick as I can type, there are new websites, apps and social media platforms being released every day.  Know what’s on your home computers, your children’s phones and other devices, and keep the communication in your home flowing both ways.  This is an important topic, and we will circle back around to additional specific strategies in the very near future.

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Cyber Forensic Service

ICFECI is dedicated to offering civil and criminal litigation investigative assistance services. Our mobile forensics lab and certified cell phone examiner can extract data,analyze it and interpret it in an understandable report.

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Invisible Wall - Correction - A strong Social Barrier

The topic of a wall is on everyone’s mind right now. Regardless of anything the President and Congress build, make no mistake—we already have a wall. The wall I’m thinking of is a societal wall, and it’s massive yet invisible. This wall is a strong social barrier. It cannot be climbed, penetrated or tunneled under.

I bump up against this wall, too.  As a court-appointed Private investigator for criminal defendants, I see a part of society that most never will. I work for the sick, tired, poor and uneducated. Most of my clients came from unimaginable squalor, and continue to live in poverty and hopelessness that’s hard to grasp.  I see how their children suffer from the sins of their mothers and fathers. Make no mistake. The people I represent are considered a menace to society. They are desperate but gave up have stopped looking for jobs long ago. They hit the invisible wall, time and time again. At some point, their lives took a turn. I ask myself what keeps them there?

Long ago, I came up with a prayer, a mantra of sorts to help me stay focused. “Help me help myself so that I may help others.”

There is loud clamor to the south of our boarders. It extends deep into the lives of the people I’m hired to assist in criminal cases. As I peel back the layers of the lives of my clients, all I see is chaos. Eventually, though, most of the children and adults will be forced into crimes, gangs, prostitution and mental conditions. They have no hope in their native countries! But what about here, in the greatest nation? Should they have hope here?

Migrants, be they immigrants or refugees, want for a better life.  Some say we are a country of immigrants and that we have a special duty to those new residents. Others say no. That’s this bigger invisible wall I’m talking about.

Here is the question I ask often: Do we have an obligation to provide them with a place in America and give them opportunity to participate in the dream? 

I figured that they want a better life and deserve a chance. That could, and should happen before they meet me. These are lost and forgotten residents.  Hidden, perhaps, behind the invisible wall.

Why don’t we do something?

The courts and commissioners know who’s here, yet nothing is done. Their priorities are elsewhere, could be south, or making sanctuary cities helping immigrants.

That leaves us.  We must do, individually, what we can.

As they have for generations, I hope the legal migrants continue coming to American for a better life.  Also, I hope that we can help our forgotten citizens meaningfully participate in our society.

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Criminal Defense Investigator

Criminal Investigations are our forte. Our focus is on providing top-flight investigative assistance that will result in the best possible representation of defendants, which also includes services under Title 18, United States Code, Section 3006A pertaining to Adequate Representation of Defendants.

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What is Fraud Investigation?

Fraud is defined as a false representation or the concealment of a material fact with the intent and result that it be acted upon by another to his loss or detriment. It is making a false statement of a past or existing fact with knowledge of its falsity or with reckless indifference as to its truth with the intent to cause another to rely upon it, resulting in his injury. Fraud is a very serious crime committed in companies around the world. People and companies can become unwelcome victims of this form of crime; it can cost a company thousands in damages and can leave them with a very bad reputation with customers, which can have long term negative effects in the long run. There is nothing in your business that can be eliminated from the bag of fraud. Be it Business documents, financial documents, prescriptions, securities, mortgage, tax, any document is at risk.

Why is Fraud Detection Important?

For the businesses of present times, the need for fraud detection is primary. Preventing fraud is far less expensive and far more useful. It reduces the amount of money lost to fraud, and also the need for fraud investigations and the money which need to support the investigations.

The benefits of fraud detection include the following

• Reduced exposure to fraudulent activities
• Reduced costs associated with fraud
• Have organizational controls
• Improves the outcome of the organization
• Gains the trust and confidence of the customer in the business
• To know the susceptible employees at risk to fraud

 

 Need for Fraud Investigator

With the increasing crime rates in the world, the need for trained professional security guard arises drastically. Nowadays with all the current enhancement in the technological innovations there exists wide to increase the occasions associated with frauds. Three important rules of fraud investigators are:

1. Whenever possible, inquiries should be concentrated around the central issue or hub of the fraud.
2. Investigators will not require the most complex solution to the case.
3. If concealment is difficult to unravel, investigators should "follow the money" - determine who benefited at the end of the fraud and work backward.

A fraud investigator is a person who inspects the matters related to the fraud, which are suspicious or in doubt for some reason. These investigators in this field have different specialties & backgrounds so as to resolve these types of problems. Though such type of investigations is usually conducted to combat fraud, moreover these investigators will work simply to carry out the circumstances of a particular claim.

At ICFECI our fraud investigations teams are highly trained professional people who are qualified ultimately to detect different fraud cases. These investigators have a couple of years of experience in dealing with various types of investigations from commercial fraud to health fraud. We have the capability to handle the cases of health and insurance fraud, tax frauds, Ponzi schemes, Securities, mortgage, and cases of public corruption etc. We will document our investigation, giving you a complete report which you can use.

Conclusion

Choose ICFECI, who provides a top-level Fraud Investigation Service at a highly competitive price. To know more about our investigator, call us at 214-384-3246.

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