Computer forensics is a relatively new professional endeavor within the computer science field. Little more than two and one-half decades old, it has garnered increasing attention in recent years due to an unusually high earning potential that tends to be almost immune from overseas competition. Computer forensics is the process of acquiring computer based information for use in legal proceedings or formal debate through a detailed or careful search. Legal proceedings normally refer to criminal or civil court trials, which are local in nature and therefore more effectively served by local examiners. Computer forensics, which was initially restricted to law enforcement officers, has more recently been practiced by those without law enforcement training. As such, it is increasingly popular among other computer professionals whose job prospects have been adversely affected by global competition.

 Once you’ve decided you’re ready to embark on a career in computer forensics, enroll in our 75-hour 12-week Forensic Examiner on-line course. Classes occur from 7-9 p.m. Central, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. If you’ve completed our 75-hour computer forensics training, consider taking our new 40-Hour 10-week Court/Legal Issues on-line course taught Tuesdays and Thursday evenings. In addition to decades of federal law enforcement experience and hundreds of hours of courtroom experience, the Court/Legal Issues course affords students the unique opportunity to experience courtroom examination and cross examination by a practicing attorney.

Finally, if you manage or support computer forensics examiners, our 8-hour Computer Forensics Business Issues course may be just what you’re looking for. Conversely, if you’d like to know just enough about computer forensics to protect yourself from on-line threats, Personal Computer Security and Privacy may better suit your current needs. Both courses are taught Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

 Established in 1998, CompuForensics has become increasingly popular among law enforcement, government intelligence and corporate security professionals. Previously restricted to full-time government employees or a select group of corporate security investigators, this high quality computer forensics training is now available to the general American public through nationally renowned and regionally accredited state universities and colleges. The current Forensics Examiner course spans 12 weeks and 35 two-hour sessions in addition to at least five hours of additional comprehensive exercise group study. Those completing at least 70% of scheduled classes, including a comprehensive forensics case study, are rewarded with a certificate signed by a dean or higher. Although designed as a 7.5 CEU (Continuing Education Units) university course with Pass/Fail grading, a proctored written examination is available for those requiring a letter grade. Course graduates can also elect to have their contact and training information listed on the Analysis page of this website.

In January, 2008, the Computer Forensics Examiner Basic 8-week 48-hour and 7-week 42-hour Advanced live on-line courses were replaced with the 12-week 75-hour Forensics Examiner course. Containing essential and most popular components of the Basic and Advanced courses, the new updated live on-line course manifested a savings of nearly a thousand dollars to the student.

Depicted below is the user friendly web based video access interface on CompuForensics' password protected CompuPic.Net; for a current listing of course content, download a copy of the course syllabus. The student has access to this site for the entire 12-week period, including web compatible read-only videos. Each green button corresponds to a Power Point XML presentation augmenting live instruction via Skype VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol). In addition to live sessions, instructor audio recordings may be accessed via blue buttons. Audio recordings are routinely made upon notification that a student will not be present for the live session. Alternatively, students can attend live lecture sessions via a land-line or cellular telephone by prior arrangement. Skype and telephone conference connections are initiated by the instructor.

 The live on-line 75-hour Examiner course is restricted to no more than nine students. Classes tend to be smaller still, affording an unparalleled student-teacher ratio. Although scripted exercises are designed for independent use, the instructor is available should the student require immediate assistance during scheduled laboratory exercises. The Court/Legal Issues course may be slightly larger, however, benefits from the improved interaction afforded by GoToMeeting.

The 12-Week Forensic Examiner course is designed to equip government and corporate investigators/analysts with the skills needed to safely locate and secure computer evidence at the search site as well as to conduct subsequent off-site analysis. Specific instruction focusing on hacker and child pornography Internet investigations is included. Linux, the world's most powerful operating system, is employed to more safely and effectively analyze Windows systems, including Windows 9.x, ME, 2000, XP, Vista and Windows 7. This technique, increasingly used in the forensics community, was pioneered by the Department of Defense in the late 1990s. A comprehensive course syllabus, including student communications and exercise computer specifications, is available in Adobe Acrobat format by selecting the right adjacent document representation. Frequently asked questions and a sample video interface is available by selecting the Questions button at the top of this page. Prospective students are also invited to contact the instructor by telephone or email.

CrossOver allows many Windows applications and forensic tools to run inside of SuSE Linux. Linux precludes inadvertent modification of evidentiary partitions by the Windows operating system and applications. Knoppix Live Debian Linux is employed to safely and efficiently conduct an on-site preliminary forensic analysis of Windows computers. Use of hardware write blocks used to safely use Windows to analyze evidentiary partitions is simulated during the course. Computer forensics business management and technical report writing instruction is included.

     The Forensics Examiner course syllabus includes essential and most popular components of previously offered 6-day Examiner Basic and 5-day Examiner Advanced courses. Although only a few hours less than the replaced Basic and Advanced courses combined, course tuition is a quarter that of replaced on-campus courses; $2995 Savings.