All experts, fingerprint and ballistics, make use of tools to perform their duties, so should hi-tech crime investigators. The toolkit required to perform a specific investigation will vary from case to case, depending on its complexity.

Without a toolkit, investigations will not be done properly. This will, more often than not, lead to cases being withdrawn and not successfully prosecuted.

A comprehensive list of tools, each investigator would require in the majority of investigations, will now be discussed.

 

1. Computer Toolkit

The first required tool is a comprehensive tool kit consisting of tools, such as screwdrivers. These tool kits can be purchased from any computer store. A suggested additional item must include an anti-static bracelet.

1. Hardware Tools

Hardware tools, such as a wire cutter, hammer, nail puller, knife, etc. would be required for certain crime scenes where items are fixed to walls, floors, etc.

1. Flashlight

A flashlight and additional batteries is required when investigations are conducted at night or in dark premises.

1. Computer Cables

Investigators would require the following cables: parallel, serial, 9 pin, 25 pin, null modem, RS-232, 50 pin flat ribbon for disk drives.

1. Power Strips

An extension cord and power strips will be required in premises where all outlets have been used.

1. Blank Disks

Investigators should be in possession of 5 ¼-inch and 3 ½-inch disks, each in double and high density formats. When purchasing these disks, ensure to buy name-brand diskettes only, such as Verbatim, 3M, Maxell and Sony. Pre-formatted disks are suggested.

If non-formatted diskettes are purchased, the investigator should format each disk immediately. No disk should ever be formatted on a suspect’s machine.

Never make use of used disks. If required to make use of used disks, the investigator should ensure that he was the person who formatted the disk, using software such as Norton Utilities WipeInfo. Normal procedures of formatting do not erase the data completely.

1. Diskette Labels

Diskette labels are used to mark seized diskettes. These labels should be marked with the case number and location of the premises to be searched before the actual search is conducted.

1. Write-protect Labels

Write protect labels should be used to put over the write-protect tab on 5 ¼-inch disks seized.

1. Felt Marking Pens

These pens are used to mark disk labels. The more indelible, the better. It is advised that ball-point pens are not used to mark disk labels.

1. Color-coded Stick-on Tags

Attempt to purchase tags, on which notes can be made. These are normally used to be tied around cables.

1. Self-adhesive Labels

1” x 4” self-adhesive labels are used to mark evidence found during a search.

1. Paper Clips

Boxes of large and small paperclips should be part of the toolkit.

1. Scissors

A set of small and large pair of scissors should be acquired.

1. Stapler

A stapler with a box of staples is required.

1. Rubber Bands

A box containing various sizes of rubber bands should be included in the toolkit.

1. Gloves

A pair of cloth as well as rubber gloves is required. Where fingerprints are important to prove a crime, the cloth gloves should be used. It is suggested that gloves always be worn during a search to prevent body oil from coming into contact with floppy disks.

1. Storage

All seized material need to be stored. The investigator should decide himself on the material he/she would need. It is suggested to purchase various sizes of boxes and paper bags. Plastic bags should be avoided as this could store electricity, which can damage electronic components.

1. Tape

Masking tape should be used for taping cables and small components.

1. Floppy Disk Containers

Containers should be purchased for 3 ½-inch disks as well as 5 ¼-inch disks. These covers can be purchased at computer stores.

1. Sleeves

Empty sleeves for 5 ¼-inch disks should also be acquired.

1. Magnetometer

A magnetometer, or less ideally a compass, is required to detect magnetic fields.

1. Battery

If the investigator makes use of a laptop, an additional battery should be obtained. Batteries run down very few years and a battery might fail when it is in storage pending trial.

1. Tape Recorder

A tape recorder might come in handy when a premises is searched, recording all findings and conversations.

1. Camera

A Polaroid or digital camera, with instant viewing capabilities is required to ensure that pictures are good before the crime scene is left.

1. Camcorder

A camcorder, especially the Hi-8 camcorders could be useful when filming the search and seizure process on crime scenes.

1. Telephone

Never use any telephone belonging to the suspect on the crime scene. Ensure that you have your own telephone or mobile phone to make calls from.

1. Batteries

Always have a set of new and tested AAA, AA and 9-volt batteries available.

1. Portable Computer System

A portable computer system is suggested, which should include a portable printer, laser printer labels and paper. This system can also be used for backing up data on the crime scene if it consists of a large hard drive.

1. Software

The following is a list of suggested software. Take note that it is important to make use of licensed software.

29.1          MS-Dos

Always have two copies of the latest version of MS-Dos. Also have copies of previous versions, especially 3.3, 4.01, 5.0, 6.0, 6.1 and 6.2

29.2          Apple Boot Disk

Always have a copy of the latest Apple operating boot disk. Also have copies of systems 5.0 and 6.0

29.3          Norton Utilities

The latest version of Norton Utilities for IBM and Macintosh computers.

29.4          Backup Software

Suggested software is Fastback Plus v2.0. If not available, any other recognized software.

29.5          Imaging Backup

Any software capable of making image backups.

29.6          Laplink

The latest version of Laplink with the required cables.

29.7          Zip-programs

Various versions of Zip-programs such as PKZip, WinZip, LHArch, GZip, etc.

29.8          ASCII

Any ASCII editor program.

29.9          Graphics Viewing

Any graphics viewing program.

29.10      Boot Disk

Create a disk with a clean operating system (boot disk) and other utility programs to assist in securing, backing up and examining computers. Consider including the following software on that disk:

·         MS-Dos 5.0 system files (IO.SYS, MS-DOS.SYS,  COMMAND.COM, AUTOEXEC.BAT).

·         CHKDSK (MS-DOS)

·         DISKMON (Norton Utilities)

·         NDD.EXE (Norton Utilities)

·         SYSINFO.EXE (Norton Utilities)

·         DISKEDIT.EXE (Norton Utilities)