The growing industry of computer technology is merging with the field of criminal justice and creating opportunities - and challenges - for students.
More than 300 Ball State University students and faculty members attended a seminar on the progression of computer forensics Thursday in L.A. Pittenger Student Center's Cardinal Hall.-á
The event, sponsored by the criminal justice department, featured a presentation on the fast-growing world of digital technology and how it applies to everyone from students and professionals to criminals.-á
Guest speaker Sgt. Dave Kimm, a certified computer forensics expert and detective for the cyber crimes unit of Fishers, said having a basic understanding of computers is becoming increasingly important.
"Computers have been integrated to become an everyday part of your lives," Kimm said, "It is something that is going to keep growing."
Kimm said he has been working in the field of computer forensics for almost five years and has worked on cases involving computer hacking, cyber-stalking, identity theft and fraud.-á
The most prominent issue he has dealt with is child pornography and solicitation, a crime that Kimm said has been made easier by the Internet.
"We monitor three to five [child pornographers] a week," Kimm said. -á
Kimm also dispelled some myths about the world of computer forensics made popular by TV shows such as CBS' "CSI Miami."
"When you see that on TV, they solve the crimes in 45 minutes," Kimm said. "Really it can take weeks, months and, in some cases, even years."
The use of digital technology to facilitate crimes such as credit card fraud and identity theft is also growing. Kimm said students should be careful when using their credit cards at restaurants because of the recent popularity of "card skimmers," which are small hand-held devices that copy customers credit card numbers.
Kimm said students should be aware that everything they do on the Internet is traceable, including Facebook activities and music downloads.
Kimm also said students planning to commit crimes by going through a wireless network should be aware of the risks.
"If you decide you want to commit a crime and go through [wireless systems at] Starbucks or Panera Bread, you will get caught." Kimm said. "This will not make you anonymous; you can always be traced."
Deleting items from your computer does not mean they are erased. Kimm said up to 99 percent of the information erased from a computer is recoverable by forensics labs. However, Kimm said crimes such as illegally downloading songs is not enough to make him launch an investigation.
"I'm not going to come break down your door for something like that," Kimm said.
Ball State senior Matt Salmon said the seminar was interesting to him because he is a student and future criminal justice professional.
"I felt it was important for us to see where the future of criminal justice is going," Salmon said, "It would have been beneficial for any Ball State student."
The growing field of computer forensics has prompted James Hendricks, dean of the Ball State Criminal Justice Department, to initiate a university minor in digital forensics.
"My idea is that every criminal justice student would have at least four to five hours of training in digital forensics." Hendricks said.
Hendricks said if the digital forensics minor is approved by the university, students may begin enrolling in Fall 2009.
PreventionWhile law enforcement step up their efforts to catch digital fraud, below lists tips on how to prevent the crime.
- Do not leave a blank credit card receipt. Draw a line through blank portions of the receipt to avoid the addition of fraudulent charges.
- Open credit card bills promptly and make sure there are no bogus charges. Also, save your receipts so you can compare them with bills.
- If your credit cards are lost or stolen, contact the credit card company immediately. Most credit card companies have 24-hour phone numbers for this.
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