Full Disclosure mailing list archives
Re: Re: Guidance
From: "J.A. Terranson" <measl () mfn org>
Date: Tue, 20 Dec 2005 20:16:02 -0600 (CST)
On Tue, 20 Dec 2005, Jason Coombs wrote:
It is not just defects in EnCase features that cause computer forensic examiners who use Guidance Software's products and training to produce incorrect and misleading expert testimony or fact evidence. Guidance Software simply doesn't understand, and doesn't care to understand, information security. It would be bad for sales of EnCase if Guidance admitted that they have no way to know whether anything discovered on a hard drive by EnCase is reliable circumstantial evidence.
Jason, As one forensic "expert" to another - while I understand your frustrations with the improper use that is often made of this type of evidence - you are throwing the gasoline on the wrong fire. You and I both know that whether something appearing on a hard drive is "reliable circumstantial evidence" depends on the whole picture, and not on whether something was "discovered by Encase". A competent examiner will take in the whole picture: BIOS dates, battery levels, NTP running/not/etc., before offering any opinion as to time of origin. A competent examiner will not testify to things that they do not or cannot know, regardless of whether some program says something is there or not. While you are busy trying to destroy the entire "computer forensics practice", you are ignoring the good that comes from this technology as well. Most of us are familiar with cases where these tools were exculpatory rather than inculpatory - a very common situation. You need to be railing againt *incompetent* practice, not practice in general. There ARE honest, reliable, and competent examiners out here you know. ;-) You know me personally, and I think you would agree my positions are not taken either without knowledge, nor without accurate and completely supporting information. And you also know the "standard warnings" I give to all customers regarding forensic evidence - these are part of "competent practice". Wouldn't your time be better served by trying to encourage responsible and competent practice, possibly by using examples, than by trying to just destroy a whole industry (which isn't gonna happen either jason - as long as the honest and accurate ones are out here, the industry will continue to thrive). -- Yours, J.A. Terranson Alif () UnitedForensics com 0xBD4A95BF Just once, can't we have a nice polite discussion about the logistics and planning side of large criminal enterprise? - Steve Thompson _______________________________________________ Full-Disclosure - We believe in it. Charter: http://lists.grok.org.uk/full-disclosure-charter.html Hosted and sponsored by Secunia - http://secunia.com/
Current thread:
- Re: Guidance Jason Coombs (Dec 20)
- Re: Re: Guidance J.A. Terranson (Dec 20)
- <Possible follow-ups>
- Re: Re: Guidance Jason Coombs (Dec 20)
- Re: Re: Guidance J.A. Terranson (Dec 20)
- Re: Re: Guidance Ivan . (Dec 21)
- Re: Re: Guidance J.A. Terranson (Dec 20)