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Computer Forensics Helps to Solve Crimes

In this digital age it is not at all surprising that computers, PDA`s and other wireless devices become evidence in criminal cases. Most people use electronic devices to keep search for information, keep track of financial information and even write daily diaries or journals. For this reason computer forensics was developed in order to allow this detailed and prominent information to be used against criminals in a court of law. Computer forensics is the fascinating field of recovering, examining and analyzing evidence from digital sources, which include computers, PDAs, and cellular telephones. It is used in a variety of environments, including criminal investigations and criminal and civil law defense preparation.

David Townsend, a computer forensics expert, was recently interviewed on the Catherine Crier Live show about digital evidence in the high-profile Susan Polk murder trial. Polk is accused of killing her husband in a sensational case that once included prominent Attorney Daniel Horowitz, whose wife was a murder victim in October, 2005. Polk currently represents herself and is using Townsend to conduct a computer forensic analysis of her computer, review the police reports on electronic evidence in the case and provide expert testimony on her behalf.

Polk kept a detailed electronic dairy on her computer. An issue in the case is whether or not law enforcement removed and/or tampered with the digital documents on her computer. David Townsend, who is both a consultant and expert witness in the People v. Susan Polk case, is no stranger to high-profile criminal cases involving evidence of an electronic or digital nature. Townsend was used by the defense teams in the Scott Peterson double-murder case, and the last criminal case against entertainment superstar Michael Jackson. These cases gained global attention and were featured news stories on a daily basis.