Social Media Investigation for Law Enforcement

by Joshua Brunty, Katherine Helenek

Overview

Social media is becoming an increasingly important—and controversial—investigative source for law enforcement. Social Media Investigation for Law Enforcement provides an overview of the current state of digital forensic investigation of Facebook and other social media networks and the state of the law, touches on hacktivism, and discusses the implications for privacy and other controversial areas. The authors also point to future trends.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781455731350
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	11/30/2012
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	112
Product dimensions:	5.80(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Joshua L. Brunty is Assistant Professor of Digital Forensics at Marshall University . Josh holds numerous certifications within the digital forensics discipline including: AccessData Certified Examiner (ACE), Computer Hacking Forensic Examiner (CHFI), Seized Computer Evidence Recovery Specialist (SCERS), Certified Malware Investigator, Certified Steganography Examiner, and is certified by the National Security Agency in Information Assessment Methodology (NSA-IAM). He is a member of the Institute of Computer Forensics Professionals (ICFP), the Mid-Atlantic Association of the High Technology Crime Investigation Association (HTCIA), the Digital-Multimedia Sciences section of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS), the West Virginia Cyber Crimes Task Force, and the West Virginia Chapter of FBI INFRAGARD.

Katherine Helenek holds a Master’s of Forensic Science specializing in Digital Forensics, Forensic Chemistry, and Crime Scene Investigation from Marshall University. She is an AccessData Certified Examiner (ACE) and a member of the Appalachian Institute of Digital Evidence (AIDE). She is now a Forensic Examiner with Digital Intelligence.

Table of Contents

Preface vii

Acknowledgements ix

Chapter 1 Introduction to Social Media 1

1.1 Definition of Social Media 1

1.2 A Very Brief History of Social Networking 2

1.3 Types of Social Media 3

1.4 Social Software Building Blocks 9

1.5 Accessing Social Media 11

1.6 Conclusion 13

References 14

Chapter 2 How Social Media Is Used 17

2.1 How Social Media Is Commonly Used 17

2.2 Criminal Uses of Social Media 21

2.3 Conclusion 36

References 37

Chapter 3 Investigative Uses of Social Media 41

3.1 Introduction 41

3.2 Leveraging the "Wave" - Utilizing Social Media for Official Department Use 41

3.3 The Usage of Social Media in the Course of Criminal and Civil Investigations 53

3.4 Understanding the "Forensics" of Social Media Evidence 63

References 68

Chapter 4 Social Media and the Law: Legal Considerations 71

4.1 Introduction 71

4.2 Social Media and the First Amendment - A Changing Landscape 72

4.3 Search and Seizure of Social Media - A Legal Perspective 77

4.4 Utilizing Criminal Procedure to Obtain Social Media Evidence 77

4.5 Capturing of Social Media Evidence - Legal Considerations 82

4.6 Conclusion 85

References 86

Chapter 5 Moving Forward 89

5.1 Investigative/Intelligence Changes 89

5.2 Monitoring of Criminal Activity via Social Media 90

5.3 Future Legislation 90

5.4 Negative Effects of Social Media 91

5.5 Proliferation of Social Media 91

5.6 Challenges that Lie Ahead 92

5.7 Conclusion 92

Reference 92

Appendix 1 Sample Social Media Preservation Letter Request 93

Appendix 2 Sample Social Media Subpoena Request 97

Appendix 3 Sample Social Media Court Order 99

Appendix 4 Media Emergency Disclosure Request Form 101

Editorial Reviews

"This project provides an overview of the current state of digital forensic investigation of Facebook and other social media networks and the state of the law, touches on hacktivism, and discusses the implications for privacy and other controversial areas. The authors also point to future trends."— The Journal, Fall/Winter 2013

"This book is very informative and it will serve well as a first point of contact for law enforcement personnel, especially those who have no understanding or very basic understanding of Social Media, and it is indeed an asset for any law enforcement library."— Thane Pierre, Interfaces Magazine (The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences)

From the Publisher