LEGAL 220 - Computer Search and Seizure

5 Credits

Every computer forensics investigator must have an underlying foundation in ethics and the law. This multidisciplinary course builds on computer forensics where the legal and ethical issues constraining investigations were first introduced. U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) procedures will be emphasized. This class exposes students to a variety of scenarios ranging from sexual harassment, to running personal business at the workplace, to corporate espionage and network hacking.

Fees

Quarters Typically Offered
Summer Day
Fall Day
Winter Day
Spring Day

Designed to Serve Students enrolled in the AAS Digital Recovery/Computer Forensics program, students enrolled in the Legal Studies program. Investigators, evidence technicians, and law enforcement officers.
Active Date 20200330T21:16:01

Grading System Decimal Grade
Class Limit 30
Contact Hours: Lecture 55
Total Contact Hours 55
Degree Distributions:
ProfTech Course Yes
Restricted Elective Yes
Course Outline
I. History of digital evidence in the courts; Current rules of evidence

II. Search warrants and affidavits A. Requests, issuance, execution B. Exceptions to warrant requirements

III. Company policies and procedures for computer usage and network access. A. In the office B. From home C. PDAs D. Wireless

IV. Chain of custody procedures

V. How to become an expert witness

VI. General and Legal Ethical issues related to computer forensics

VII. Applicable Statutes A. Electronic communications B. Privacy Act C. Patriot Act D. Federal Rules of Evidence and Washington State Evidence Rules

Student Learning Outcomes
Correctly apply relevant sections of the 4th Amendment to computer forensic evidentiary issues.

Correctly apply 4th Amendment search and seizure requirements to hypothetical/analytical problems and exercises.

Correctly draft a warrant and supportive affidavit for computer search.

Correctly apply electronic discovery rules to forensic evidence in a hypothetical court proceeding.