PRESS RELEASE: 06-26-02

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Mark McLaughlin
Computer Forensics International
(310) 277-0660
mjm@cf-intl.com

Businesses Routinely Use Computer Forensics
Employed In Westerfield Murder Trial

Los Angeles, CA - June 26, 2002 - A picture or private email you think is deleted from a computer is probably still there and could be recovered using the latest in forensic software.

"We use the same forensic techniques that were used to recover child pornography from accused murderer David Westerfield's computers. It's common for businesses to defend sexual harassment or wrongful termination claims by examining the accuser's PC", says Mark McLaughlin, Computer Forensic Examiner and Expert Witness.

When a user presses delete, the computer only removes the first character of the filename, still leaving the original file intact on the hard drive. Overwriting, or copying a new file over deleted data, is the only way information is destroyed. But even then, some fragments could remain.

"We're always in search of the smoking gun. And if it's there, we'll find it", he adds. There's even hidden areas of data most computer users don't even know about which contain snapshots of everything viewed, written or printed. Forensic software allows experienced examiner's, like McLaughlin, to search large hard drives for the presence of specific words, telephone numbers, emails or visited websites.

Mark McLaughlin has amassed nearly 25 years experience in computer forensic analysis, corporate security investigations, information systems management and law enforcement. He's a frequent lecturer and California State Bar qualified instructor for attorneys on computer forensics.