Forensic Focus

Rob Fried, digital forensics consultant, author, and assistant professor at Hofstra University, joins the Forensic Focus Podcast to talk about the evolving challenges of forensic practice, AI in investigations, and his latest book. Rob discusses his annual publication cadence — now in its fourth edition — and how each year's content is shaped by real cases, collaborations, and emerging topics in the DFIR community. This year's edition tackles AI policy, data culling strategy, and the documentation practices that keep forensic work defensible in court. The conversation also covers the growing complexity of remote collections and the soft skills required to manage them effectively, the tension between targeted and full file system approaches, and what happens when those decisions come under scrutiny in litigation. Rob shares his experience building a forensics practice from the ground up within an established e-discovery firm, his work teaching the next generation of examiners at Hofstra, and his upcoming symposium — now in its fifth year — which this year will focus on open source intelligence and corporate investigations. #mobileforensics #digitalforensics #dfir ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 Introducing Rob Fried 03:48 Why Rob Keeps Writing 07:33 AI Policies and Teaching 09:39 AI Tools and NotebookLM 11:42 AI Spam Call Story 14:33 Forensic Lab and Data Strategy 22:30 Targeted Collection Risks 26:10 Remote Collections and Soft Skills 33:41 Building a Forensics Practice 35:14 Academia and Closing Skill Gaps 39:17 Forensics Network 41:26 Learning and Collaboration 45:42 Planning the Annual Symposium 50:36 Tech Roots and Career Values 54:49 Swag, Challenge Coins and Future Plans 👉 Visit Forensic Focus: https://www.forensicfocus.com 🎥 Video/Transcript: https://www.forensicfocus.com/podcast/rob-fried-on-new-challenges-in-digital-forensics/ 📝 Show Notes Forensics By Fried – https://forensicsbyfried.com Rob Fried's Books – https://forensicsbyfried.com/books AI Spoof Call (Instagram) – https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVOXY5MiGNT/?igsh=N3J0cDJwaXk1bW5o 👉 Follow Forensic Focus RSS | https://www.forensicfocus.com/feed YouTube | https://youtube.com/@ForensicFocus Podcast | https://forensicfocus.com/podcast LinkedIn Page | https://linkedin.com/company/forensicfocus LinkedIn Group | https://linkedin.com/groups/693917 X (Twitter) | https://x.com/ForensicFocus Facebook | https://facebook.com/forensicfocus Bluesky | https://bsky.app/profile/forensicfocus.bsky.social Instagram | https://instagram.com/forensicfocus TikTok | https://tiktok.com/@forensicfocus Mastodon | https://dfir.social/@forensicfocus

📝 Complete the Forensic Focus International Well-Being Study: https://www.forensicfocus.com/survey Bunmi Bloom, co-founder of Sena Forensics, joins the Forensic Focus Podcast to discuss the emotional reality of working in digital forensics and the psychological toll of long-term exposure to traumatic material. Drawing on her background with the Metropolitan Police and the Financial Conduct Authority, Bunmi reflects on how DFIR practitioners navigate disturbing images, case reports, and the pressure to "stay strong and get on with it." The conversation explores coping mechanisms inside the lab, the vital role of social support, and how desensitisation can develop over time. Bunmi shares why many investigators feel unable to speak openly, how team culture shapes resilience, and what better preparation for new DFIs could look like. She also considers whether psychological screening, mentoring, and leadership-driven change could help create safer, more supportive forensic workplaces. #digitalforensics #DFIR #MentalHealth #Wellbeing #Policing #CSAM 00:00 Introducing Bunmi Bloom 00:39 Sena Forensics: Mission and Services 03:44 Professional Background 05:35 The Impactful LinkedIn Post 07:50 Emotional Challenges in Digital Forensics 10:55 Coping Mechanisms and Social Support 15:20 Desensitization and Emotional Detachment 18:39 Preparation and Support for New DFIs 22:56 The Importance of Recognizing Stressors 25:16 The Role of Social Support 28:27 Cultural Shifts in Mental Health Awareness 31:53 Psychological Screening in Recruitment 38:53 Systemic Change and Leadership 41:20 Final Thoughts and Recommendations 👉 Visit Forensic Focus: https://www.forensicfocus.com 🎧 Video/Transcript: https://www.forensicfocus.com/podcast/preparing-investigators-for-trauma-exposure-in-digital-forensics/ 📝 Show Notes Sena Forensics on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sena-forensics-bunmi-bloom-76a592374/ Forensic Focus International Well-Being Study - https://www.forensicfocus.com/survey 👉 Follow Forensic Focus RSS | https://www.forensicfocus.com/feed YouTube | https://youtube.com/@ForensicFocus Podcast | https://forensicfocus.com/podcast LinkedIn Page | https://linkedin.com/company/forensicfocus LinkedIn Group | https://linkedin.com/groups/693917 X (Twitter) | https://x.com/ForensicFocus Facebook | https://facebook.com/forensicfocus Bluesky | https://bsky.app/profile/forensicfocus.bsky.social Instagram | https://instagram.com/forensicfocus TikTok | https://tiktok.com/@forensicfocus Mastodon | https://dfir.social/@forensicfocus

📝 Take The Surveys An Exploratory Study of Covert Cyber Investigators and the Psychological Factors Impacting on Personal Resilience and Investigative Decision-Making https://hud.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3gwyXAR281cY12C Forensic Focus International Well-Being Study https://www.forensicfocus.com/survey Carol Brooks, a cyber and organisational psychologist and leadership consultant, joins the Forensic Focus Podcast to discuss her PhD research into covert cyber investigators and the psychological factors that shape their resilience and investigative decision-making. She explains what it really means to work "covertly" online and why inconsistent job titles across law enforcement, cybersecurity and the private sector make it difficult even to define the workforce she is studying. The conversation explores the significant challenges involved in recruiting participants — from suspicion and cultural barriers to the difficulties of engaging freelancers and small teams — and highlights why anonymity and ethical oversight are critical to building trust. It also examines the importance of bridging the gap between academia and industry if research is to have real-world impact, before concluding with a call for covert cyber investigators worldwide to take part in the study and help give this hidden workforce a much-needed voice. #DigitalForensics #DFIR #CyberPsychology #InvestigatorWellbeing #CovertInvestigations #mentalhealth 00:00 Introducing Carol Brooks 02:05 Carol's PhD Journey and Research Focus 06:49 Understanding Covert Cyber Investigators 13:11 Challenges in Recruiting Participants 27:18 Psychological Factors in Cyber Investigations 29:54 Setting PhD Goals and Challenges 31:02 Connecting with Covert Investigators 32:25 Overcoming Suspicion and Misconceptions 33:26 Strategies for Accessing Networks 36:37 Supporting Investigator Wellbeing 46:55 Bridging Academia and Industry 52:50 Balancing PhD and Personal Life 58:36 Call to Action for Covert Investigators 👉 Visit Forensic Focus: https://www.forensicfocus.com 🎧 Video/Transcript: https://www.forensicfocus.com/podcast/covert-cyber-investigator-well-being-with-carol-brooks/ 📝 Show Notes An Exploratory Study of Covert Cyber Investigators and the Psychological Factors Impacting on Personal Resilience and Investigative Decision-Making - https://hud.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3gwyXAR281cY12C British Psychological Society Cyber Psychology Section – https://www.bps.org.uk Forensic Focus International Well-Being Study - https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/northumbria/forensic-focus-wellbeing-survey 👉 Follow Forensic Focus RSS | https://www.forensicfocus.com/feed YouTube | https://youtube.com/@ForensicFocus Podcast | https://forensicfocus.com/podcast LinkedIn Page | https://linkedin.com/company/forensicfocus LinkedIn Group | https://linkedin.com/groups/693917 X (Twitter) | https://x.com/ForensicFocus Facebook | https://facebook.com/forensicfocus Bluesky | https://bsky.app/profile/forensicfocus.bsky.social Instagram | https://instagram.com/forensicfocus TikTok | https://tiktok.com/@forensicfocus Mastodon | https://dfir.social/@forensicfocus

Phil Anderson from Northumbria University joins the Forensic Focus Podcast to discuss the launch of the Forensic Focus International Well-Being Study — a global research project examining the psychological and physical impact of digital forensic work across both law enforcement and the private sector. Drawing on his 24-year academic career and long-standing collaboration with Northumbria Police, Phil explains how digital forensics units have evolved and why DFIs are facing unprecedented levels of stress, burnout, and workload pressure. Together with host Paul, he outlines the four core research themes behind the study — early-life trauma and resilience, the mind-body impact of occupational stress, organisational protective factors, and the role of neurodiversity — and issues a clear call to action for DFIs worldwide to take part and help drive meaningful change. #DigitalForensics #DFIR #ForensicWellbeing #DFIs #MentalHealth #Neurodiversity #Trauma #PoliceForensics 00:00 Phil Anderson's Journey into Digital Forensics 01:34 Collaboration with Northumbria Police 02:33 The Evolution of Digital Forensics Units 03:34 Planning the Forensic Focus Well-Being Study 11:40 Exploring the Impact of Early Life Trauma on DFIs 19:51 Coping Strategies and Physical Health in DFIs 24:37 Challenges and Stressors in Digital Forensics 27:51 Challenges in Digital Forensics 28:42 Recruitment and Retention Issues 30:18 Acknowledging the Crisis 33:34 Protective Factors Against Trauma 44:08 Neurodiversity in Digital Forensics 47:46 Call to Action: Participate in the Survey 👉 Visit Forensic Focus at https://www.forensicfocus.com 🎧 Video/Transcript: https://www.forensicfocus.com/podcast/forensic-focus-international-well-being-study-have-your-say/ 📝 Show Notes Forensic Focus International Well-Being Study - https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/northumbria/forensic-focus-wellbeing-survey Forensic Focus and Northumbria University Launch International Well-Being Study for Digital Forensic Investigators - https://www.forensicfocus.com/news/forensic-focus-and-northumbria-university-launch-international-well-being-study-for-digital-forensic-investigators/ 👉 Follow Forensic Focus RSS | https://www.forensicfocus.com/feed YouTube | https://youtube.com/@ForensicFocus Podcast | https://forensicfocus.com/podcast LinkedIn Page | https://linkedin.com/company/forensicfocus LinkedIn Group | https://linkedin.com/groups/693917 X (Twitter) | https://x.com/ForensicFocus Facebook | https://facebook.com/forensicfocus Bluesky | https://bsky.app/profile/forensicfocus.bsky.social Instagram | https://instagram.com/forensicfocus TikTok | https://tiktok.com/@forensicfocus Mastodon | https://dfir.social/@forensicfocus

Si and Desi close out the year on the Forensic Focus Podcast with a wide-ranging end-of-2025 wrap-up, reflecting on how the year unfolded for the show and the DFIR community. They discuss the mental health series, guest appearances, and how everyday technologies — from streaming services to wearables — are increasingly intersecting with forensic investigations, even when people don't realise it. The conversation then broadens to bigger technology shifts, including the rapid rise of AI and its legal, ethical, and societal implications. Si and Desi explore bias, misinformation, validation, and why human oversight still matters, before turning to the resurgence of operating system "wars," Apple's growing market share, Linux's expanding presence, and what changing user behaviour could mean for digital forensics in the years ahead. #DigitalForensics #DFIR #ForensicFocusPodcast #AI #Wearables #Linux #Apple 👉 Visit Forensic Focus: https://www.forensicfocus.com ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 Welcome to the Forensic Focus Podcast 00:33 Reflecting on the Year 2025 01:32 Challenges and Changes in 2025 02:09 Mental Health Series and Guest Appearances 04:51 Streaming Services and TV Licenses 09:27 Wearable Technology and Forensics 18:11 AI in Legal and Ethical Contexts 44:20 AI's Inevitable Rise 44:37 The Resurgence of Operating System Wars 45:19 Apple's Growing Market Share 46:31 Linux's Increasing Presence 53:14 Challenges for Linux Adoption 01:02:31 The Shift to Mobile and Tablet Usage 01:14:49 AI-Generated Content and Its Implications 01:21:50 Reflections on Free Speech and AI 01:27:57 Looking Ahead to the Future 🎧 Video/Transcript: https://www.forensicfocus.com/podcast/si-and-desis-holiday-special-2025/ 📝 Show Notes Forensic Focus Podcasts - https://www.forensicfocus.com/podcast Forensic Focus Jobs Board - https://www.forensicfocus.com/jobs 'The old-school landline is having a cultural moment', ABC - https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11-16/landline-rotary-phone-social-media-ban-family-connect/106010638 'Judges have become 'human filters' as AI in Australian courts reaches 'unsustainable phase', chief justice says', The Guardian - https://www.theguardian.com/law/2025/nov/21/judges-have-become-human-filters-as-ai-in-australian-courts-reaches-unsustainable-phase-chief-justice-says 'Founder Admits His "AI Transcription" Startup Was Just Him Joining People's Meetings and Taking Notes by Hand', Futurism - https://futurism.com/artificial-intelligence/fireflies-founder-startup-ai 'Man Alarmed to Discover His Smart Vacuum Was Broadcasting a Secret Map of His House', Futurism - https://futurism.com/robots-and-machines/robot-vacuum-broadcasting 👉 Follow Forensic Focus RSS | https://www.forensicfocus.com/feed YouTube | https://youtube.com/@ForensicFocus Podcast | https://forensicfocus.com/podcast LinkedIn Page | https://linkedin.com/company/forensicfocus LinkedIn Group | https://linkedin.com/groups/693917 X (Twitter) | https://x.com/ForensicFocus Facebook | https://facebook.com/forensicfocus Bluesky | https://bsky.app/profile/forensicfocus.bsky.social Instagram | https://instagram.com/forensicfocus TikTok | https://tiktok.com/@forensicfocus Mastodon | https://dfir.social/@forensicfocus

Keith Lockhart from Oxygen Forensics joins Si and Desi on the Forensic Focus Podcast to examine how remote digital evidence collection is changing investigative workflows across DFIR, eDiscovery, and corporate investigations. Drawing on recent XiB mobile training and real-world deployments, Keith explains where remote and agent-based acquisition delivers practical benefits—and where traditional hands-on methods remain essential. The discussion covers targeted versus full acquisitions, consent and governance in corporate environments, and the operational realities of collecting data across networks, jurisdictions, and time zones. It also explores over-the-air mobile collection, workstation memory capture, drone forensics, and why parser development remains a constant challenge as apps and platforms evolve. #DigitalForensics #DFIR #MobileForensics #IncidentResponse #eDiscovery #RemoteCollection #DigitalEvidence #cybercrime 👉 Visit Forensic Focus at https://www.forensicfocus.com ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 Welcoming Keith from Oxygen 01:59 Discussing the XiB Course Experience 05:19 Challenges and Successes in Mobile Phone Extraction 10:22 Remote Collection and Its Evolution 14:38 ROI and Practical Applications of Remote Collection 30:32 Remote Collection in Corporate and Law Enforcement 35:01 Parole Monitoring Challenges 35:20 Case Study: Faulty Monitoring Software 36:34 The Need for Reliable Monitoring Tools 37:23 Cross-Border Data and Legal Concerns 38:02 Chain of Custody in Law Enforcement 39:26 Remote Acquisition and Targeted Data Collection 41:33 Corporate Use Cases and Data Management 51:04 Drone Acquisition and Challenges 01:00:34 Concluding Thoughts and Future Developments 🎥 Video/Transcript – https://www.forensicfocus.com/podcast/oxygen-forensics-on-smarter-faster-remote-dfir-collections/ 📝 Show Notes Oxygen Forensics – https://www.oxygenforensics.com/ Review: Oxygen Forensics Training – Extraction in a Box (XiB) – https://www.forensicfocus.com/reviews/oxygen-forensics-training-extraction-in-a-box-xib/ 👉 Follow Forensic Focus RSS | https://www.forensicfocus.com/feed/ YouTube | https://youtube.com/@ForensicFocus Podcast | https://forensicfocus.com/podcast LinkedIn Page | https://linkedin.com/company/forensicfocus LinkedIn Group | https://linkedin.com/groups/693917 X | https://x.com/ForensicFocus Facebook | https://facebook.com/forensicfocus Bluesky | https://bsky.app/profile/forensicfocus.bsky.social Instagram | https://instagram.com/forensicfocus TikTok | https://tiktok.com/@forensicfocus Mastodon | https://dfir.social/@forensicfocus Website | https://www.forensicfocus.com

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.

Justin Tolman, Senior Product Leader at Exterro and former law enforcement officer, dives into the evolution of FTK Imager Pro. He explains the addition of features like BitLocker decryption and the rationale behind the free version's continuation. Justin emphasizes AI's supportive role in forensics, discussing practical uses such as document summarization and audio transcription. He also highlights the challenges of cloud solutions for law enforcement and invites the community to engage in Exterro's upcoming global broadcast, sharing insights on AI bias and validation.

Gareth Davies, Chairman of F3 and a seasoned expert in digital forensics, shares insights into the grassroots community shaping the field for over 30 years. He highlights F3's commitment to vendor-neutral training and practical techniques. Gareth discusses the unique appeal of the upcoming 2025 conference, set to cover diverse topics from UAV forensics to deepfake challenges. He also reflects on F3's international growth and invites volunteers to join their mission, emphasizing the importance of knowledge sharing and community collaboration.

Debbie Garner, retired Special Agent in Charge at the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, joins the Forensic Focus Podcast to share insights from her 30-year career. From undercover narcotics work in her early 20s to leading Georgia's Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, Debbie brings a unique perspective on collaboration, child protection, and investigator wellness. She discusses the challenges of cyber tips backlogs, the importance of cross-border cooperation, and why well-being must be built into the culture of child exploitation investigations. Debbie explains how she introduced practical, budget-conscious wellness initiatives — from group discussions to peer support and mental health check-ins — and how these efforts helped transform trust, retention, and resilience within her unit. Debbie and Paul also explore the stigma investigators often face, how leadership decisions can make or break support for officers, and what agencies can do to better safeguard the people safeguarding children. #DigitalForensics #DFIR #WellBeing #LawEnforcement #childprotection 👉 Visit Forensic Focus at https://www.forensicfocus.com 00:00 Introduction and Guest Background 00:49 Early Career in Law Enforcement 02:11 Specialization in Child Exploitation and Computer Crimes 03:27 Challenges and Changes in Law Enforcement 06:03 The ICAC Task Force Program 09:34 Cross-Border Investigations and Cooperation 14:46 Wellness and Resiliency in Law Enforcement 18:01 Building a Culture of Wellness 28:16 Personal Stories and Agency Support 39:57 Final Thoughts and Advice 🎥 Video/Transcript - https://www.forensicfocus.com/podcast/inside-the-fight-against-child-exploitation-leadership-and-wellness-lessons-from-debbie-garner/ 📝 Show Notes Innocent Justice Foundation - https://innocentjustice.org Raven (ICAC Task Force Funding Advocacy) - https://raven.us Hexordia - https://www.hexordia.com 👉 Follow Forensic Focus here: RSS | https://www.forensicfocus.com/feed YouTube | https://youtube.com/@ForensicFocus Podcast | https://forensicfocus.com/podcast LinkedIn Page | https://linkedin.com/company/forensicfocus LinkedIn Group | https://linkedin.com/groups/693917 X | https://x.com/ForensicFocus Facebook | https://facebook.com/forensicfocus Bluesky | https://bsky.app/profile/forensicfocus.bsky.social Instagram | https://instagram.com/forensicfocus TikTok | https://tiktok.com/@forensicfocus Mastodon | https://dfir.social/@forensicfocus Website | https://www.forensicfocus.com