Digital Forensic Specialist
Role Purpose
The Digital Forensic Specialist is an authority in niche or emerging digital forensic practice, and can produce, develop, design and implement appropriate tactical digital forensic strategies for challenging and atypical crime investigation scenarios.
They provide an enhanced service and specialist knowledge regarding the capturing, preserving, handling, and analysing of digital intelligence and evidence for investigations where digital technology and data acquisition opportunities exist.
A Digital Forensic Specialist has an advanced understanding of digital forensic investigation techniques and demonstrates an ability to work independently, managing processes and complex technical problem solving.
Key Accountabilities
- Work collaboratively across policing and wider organisations in their area of specialism. Sharing relevant learning, development, and research in area of expertise to drive advancement in this area and influence strategic decision making.
- Demonstrate an in-depth technical knowledge and how it aligns to forensic science principles by identifying digital forensic evidential opportunities to maximize the outcomes of the forensic strategy.
- Support colleagues to ensure that they are engaged and motivated to perform their duties and manage their welfare and development through coaching and mentoring. This may include coaching and mentoring individuals from academia and wider organisations in the development of emerging technologies.
- Engage and demonstrate active leadership and implementation of force wellbeing strategy, in particular when processing sensitive or potentially distressing content.
- Support neurodiversity in the workplace, encouraging others to be sensitive and inclusive to all.
- Co-ordinate the allocation, delivery, and priority of the digital forensic team workload to advance and support the force investigations with particular emphasis on embedding specialist techniques.
Behaviours
All roles are expected to know, understand and act within the ethics and values of the Police Service.
The Competency and Values Framework (CVF) has six competencies that are clustered into three groups. Under each competency are three levels that show what behaviours will look like in practice.
It is suggested that this role should be operating or working towards the following levels of the CVF:
Resolute, compassionate and committed
Inclusive, enabling and visionary leadership
Intelligent, creative and informed policing
Education, Qualifications, Skills and Experience
Prior Education and Experience:
- A relevant technical master’s level degree or equivalent experience in a digital forensic environment.
- Understanding of law enforcement and the Criminal Justice System.
- Proven experience of managing /coordinating the forensic response in support of complex and sensitive police investigations.
- Advanced knowledge and understanding of the rules regarding evidence gathering and its presentation at court.
- Knowledge of relevant legal powers/procedures/acts such as: Criminal Procedures Investigations Act, Police and Criminal Evidence Act, General Data Protection Act and Human Rights Act.
- Advanced knowledge of digital technology and the forensic opportunities offered by their examination.
- Practical experience on a broad range of digital forensic services with technical expertise in the application of specific technology to support forensic outcomes.
Skills:
- Able to deliver expert analysis of digital devices
- Expert in analysing a problem, breaking it down into component parts, interpreting large quantities of numerical data and determining and implementing the appropriate action.
- Comprehensive understanding and specialist knowledge of the rules and requirements of evidence gathering and its presentation at court.
- Able to configure and allocate digital forensic equipment safely and in appropriate manner.
- Ability to communicate, explain, and disseminate digital and technical information accurately and appropriate to the audience.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
- Maintain knowledge and appreciation of the changing digital forensic landscape and how it is employed in criminality.
- Maintain knowledge of relevant legislation and national policy/guidance. Research and employ best practice techniques to enhance police service delivery.
- Horizon scanning for with new approaches to evidence-based policing.
- Seek opportunities to improve upon the delivery of professional/expert witness evidence testimony.
- Scan for emerging technologies and how best to incorporate them into professional practice.
- Seek out and undertake meaningful training/attachment opportunities to enhance skills base and service delivery.
Professional Registration/Licenses
Not Applicable
Links to other Profiles
- Digital Forensic Technician
- Digital Forensic Practitioner
- Digital Forensic Senior Practitioner
- Technical Manager (Digital)
- Digital Forensic Unit Manager