This book will tell them. It should, of course, be equally interesting to lawyers with the task of defending alleged computer criminals, since it provides a detailed guide to possible procedural weaknesses in the prosecution's evidence. However, and to my mind at least as importantly, Casey illustrates how these details fit within the broader contexts of forensic science, crime, and society in general, never omitting mention of the potential downsides of detection and detectability. So, for example, the difficult balancing act between a secure computing environment and individual privacy is made clear. For example, in any crime the victim, and the choice of that victim, can provide important clues regarding the identity or a profile of the criminal.
Investigators therefore devote considerable energy to analyzing a victim's habits and activities.
In cases of cyberstalking or computer harassment, the need to examine digital evidence related to the victim's activities is clear. But Casey reminds us here that digital evidence can play an important role in assessing a victim's behavioral pattern when investigating real-world crime as well, particularly if the victim is a frequent visitor to cyberspace. The unaware investigator may overlook the fact that people's cyberspace personalities are sometimes extraordinarily different than those presented to the real world. The anonymity possible in cyberspace provides a tempting opportunity to assume other identities, to play out other lives and fantasies. The investigation of computer crime requires a team effort of police, forensic scientists, lawyers, and programmers or systems administrators.