PRESS RELEASE: 07-18-01

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

Businesses Routinely Employ The Same Forensic
Techniques FBI Used On Chandra Levy's Computer

Los Angeles, CA - July 18, 2001 - "It's nothing new. Businesses routinely employ the same techniques the FBI's computer forensic experts used to search Chandra Levy's computer", says Mark McLaughlin, Computer Forensic Examiner and Expert Witness.

Years ago only law enforcement was capable of thoroughly searching computer data. Now it's common for employers and attorneys to use computer forensics on wrongful termination, employee fraud or sexual harassment cases. "We're always in search of the smoking gun. And if it's there, we'll find it", he adds.

Computer forensic software can recover email or even fragments of messages, even if they're deleted. When a user hits delete, the computer only removes the first character of the filename, still leaving the file intact. Overwriting, or copying a new file over deleted data, is the only way information is destroyed. But even then some fragments could remain.

There's several hidden areas of data computer users don't even know about and couldn't knowingly delete. These hidden areas may 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.