Ride the Lightning

YOUR HIRED GUN: FINDING THE RIGHT COMPUTER FORENSICS EXPERT

July 28, 2008

This is a subject John and I have written upon extensively. It was a pleasure to come across a very well done interview on the same subject on Lawline.com. The piece was by Zach Heller and includes a Q&A with Keith Jones, Computer Forensic Expert Witness and Senior Partner of Jones Dykstra & Associates (www.jonesdykstra.com).

There is a lot of useful information but we were particularly struck by one quote, because it is very true – and yet it is something we have never highlighted in writing – perhaps because we don’t want to come across as bashing the large computer forensics companies, being a small firm ourselves. However, the “caveat emptor” here is really worth noting and we’ve heard a lot of client complaints about this.

Keith noted: “Let the buyer beware when working with large computer forensic firms. A lot of major consulting companies will do a “bait and switch” – the people that present their credentials to you in the selling phase aren’t necessarily the individuals that will be your assigned experts. Be sure to ask and investigate who would actually work on your account, so there are no surprises later in the game.”

Very nice article indeed – since it came from my husband/partner John, he’s entitled to a bit more than a hat tip. Later.

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