Examination of Firearms Review: 2007 to 2010 - Interpol

Kuncik states that counter forensic tools have become more common and
more powerful. None of these methods however guarantee to eliminate all
evidence of their use and are more likely to leave some evidence of their
use on computers, networks and servers (22). Any attempt to destroy
evidence indicates an intention to hide data and is likely to destroy the
credibility of those who employ it. Unfortunately an incentive to destroy
evidence remains due to the fact that the penalty for evidence tampering
may not be as severe as the penalty for being caught with the original
evidence.
Chval states that while evidence that is obtained during a cyberinvestigation
through the application of computer forensic techniques may
be untainted, the reality is that anti-forensic applications are pervasive and
becoming more accessible to the general public with each passing day,
both in terms of their general availability and their ease of use (23).
Attempts to employ anti-forensic strategies by someone who is unfamiliar
with them would likely leave a trail of evidence that could result in
significant sanctions, particularly if the evidence itself is evidence of the
use of anti forensic technologies. In contrast, Chval states that a thorough
anti-forensic attack may often render data-mining through computer
forensics a practice in futility. Equally, a comprehensive attack can trick
investigators by leaving evidentiary trails that may well lead to injustices for
the innocent resulting in the loss of property or liberty (24). Sophisticated
users, on the other hand, will be able to wreck havoc with little concern of
consequence.
Chval concludes that while many courts continue to accept computer
forensics' tools, techniques and concomitant evidence as presumptively
reliable, both the developments in anti-forensics and research coming out
of related fields point to a reality where computer forensic tools and
techniques merit far greater scrutiny (25). While many courts have not yet
adopted standards for addressing these concerns, others are busy at work
laying that foundation (26).
2.5 Social networking
During the reporting period the world has seen a growth in social
networking web sites such as Facebook and Myspace through Web 2.0
enabling peer to peer communication and self expression through the
sharing of autobiographical information.
Facebook describes its mission to give people the power to share and
make the world more open and connected. The site boasts that millions of
people use Facebook everyday to keep up with friends, upload an
unlimited number of photos, share links and videos, and learn more about
the people they meet (27). The site has over 400 Million users (28).
MySpace is also an online community that lets users “meet their friends'
friends” (29). The site boasts that a user can create a community on
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