Heather Barnhart
Digital forensics and incident response expert and Head of Faculty for the SANS Institute, specializing in smartphone forensics and high-profile investigations such as analysis of Osama bin Laden's digital media and the Brian Kohberger case.
Best podcasts with Heather Barnhart
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Dec 11, 2025 • 57min
The Idaho Murders: From Behavioural Clues To AI's Role In Digital Forensics
Heather Barnhart, a senior digital forensic expert, and her husband Jared, a former police officer, delve into the fascinating world of digital forensics and the Idaho murders. They discuss the innovative Case-to-Closure Summit, emphasizing hands-on, practitioner-led learning. Insights into the Idaho case reveal behavioral clues gleaned from mobile device artifacts, such as VPN usage and deliberate data cleanup. They explore the evolving role of AI in investigations, highlighting the need for validated, evidence-bounded applications to aid in future forensic work.
Oct 21, 2025 • 50min
Episode 222: Heather Barnhart Hunts Digital Ghosts
Heather Barnhart, a digital forensics expert and Head of Faculty at the SANS Institute, dives into her experiences decoding Osama bin Laden's phones and analyzing Brian Kohberger's case. She discusses how her past harassment shaped her career focus, the evolution of digital forensics, and the challenges posed by encryption and AI. Heather uncovers criminals' tactics, such as deletion behaviors and mistakes that can lead to evidence. She also shares simple safety practices for online security and the rewarding nature of a career in forensics.
