The Challenges Facing Computer Forensics Investigators in Obtaining Information from Mobile Devices for Use in Criminal Investigations

ABSTRACT The paper deals with the various types of mobile devices that have large storage capacities and the challenges for forensics experts in gathering information from the devices for use in criminal investigations. The paper describes various forensics tools, law challenges for the forensics examiner such as the Fourth Amendment, and chain of custody issues that a forensics expert could endure while gathering information from mobile devices. The reader will learn about the struggles to effectively manage digital evidence obtained from such mobile devices and some of the issues in using some of the more popular tools on the market to conduct forensics. Finally, the reader will conclude the various challenges that could occur for the forensics examiner in conducting investigations until law disputes are resolved and the maturity and standardization of software tools develop.