Perhaps some of the younger, more computer savvy, lawyers are aware of, even familiar with, current trends in computer forensics.  I’m not, so I turn to an expert.  It’s far too easy, when seeking the aid of someone with expertise you lack, to be sucked into a sense of security via the use of meaningless jargon.  It’s even easier when you’re busy, or desperate, or clueless.

For this reason, I commend Larry Daniel’s blog, ExForensic.  Full disclosure: Larry is the guy I use for my digital forensics.  He tells me what’s real rather than what I want to hear.  Sometimes I ask him twice just to make sure, and he still won’t tell me what I want to hear.  That’s why I pay him.

One of the things Larry has long fought against is scams by those who pretend to be digital forensics experts, but are nothing more than liars with a program.  To this end, Larry has offered some computer-stuff background for lawyers so that they can have a clue what they’re getting into and avoid, if at all possible, being taken for a ride and destroying their client’s case in the process. 

Today, Larry posts about Forensic File Formats — A Primer for Attorneys.  I know!  I could barely contain my excitement too.  Still, these are the nuts and bolts of dealing with any case involving computers.  Larry’s even included a funny picture, which I won’t copy here and steal Larry’s thunder.

Go take a look.  If your practice includes charges involving computers, then you really need to be adequately versed in computer forensics, and have a trustworthy expert available to you.  There’s no way around it.