This fourth episode in the National Institute of Justice's (NIJ's) Just Science podcast series is an interview with Paul Reedy, Owner of 4th Street Global, a digital forensics and cyber security consulting firm, who discusses tool validation, data stories, and the evolving landscape of digital evidence.
In the Interview, Reedy notes that rapidly changing technology in digital devices and digital data content impacts both criminal methods and criminal investigations that involve digital evidence. This makes it necessary for researchers and investigators to continually monitor features of the cutting edge of the digital world. Criminals are intent on finding or creating technological means to access digital data created and used by potential victims; and they are also intent on finding technological means of hiding digital data that constitute evidence of their crimes. On the other hand, public safety professionals are interested in protecting personal and organizational data to prevent victimization, and they are also interested in being able to access digital data that can be used as evidence against criminals. Reedy advises that forensic digital specialists must continually update their knowledge and testing of technologies in the evolving world of digital devices and software.