Justice Forensic Analyst

🎯 Role Definition

Are you passionate about the intersection of technology and the justice system? Do you possess an analytical mind and an unwavering commitment to uncovering the truth? This role requires a dedicated Justice Forensic Analyst to play a pivotal role in our investigative process. You will be the technical authority on digital evidence, applying cutting-edge forensic techniques to computers, mobile devices, and networks. Your work will directly support legal cases, providing clear, concise, and defensible findings that can withstand the highest levels of scrutiny in a court of law. This is a chance to use your unique technical skills to make a tangible impact on legal outcomes and uphold justice.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Digital Forensics Technician or Intern
IT Support Specialist with a focus on security
Law Enforcement Officer or Detective with technical aptitude
Junior Cybersecurity Analyst

Advancement To:

Senior or Lead Forensic Analyst
Manager of a Forensic Laboratory or eDiscovery Unit
Cybersecurity Incident Response Team Lead
Expert Witness Consultant

Lateral Moves:

Cyber Threat Intelligence Analyst
eDiscovery Specialist or Project Manager
Information Security Auditor

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Perform forensically sound acquisition and collection of digital evidence from a wide array of sources, including desktops, laptops, servers, mobile phones, tablets, and cloud storage accounts, ensuring data integrity is maintained throughout the process.
Conduct comprehensive and in-depth forensic analysis of electronic data to identify, extract, and document evidence of criminal activity, intellectual property theft, fraud, or other misconduct.
Meticulously maintain and document the chain of custody for all physical and digital evidence, from initial seizure to final disposition, to ensure its admissibility in court.
Utilize industry-standard forensic software and hardware (e.g., EnCase, FTK, Cellebrite, X-Ways) to conduct examinations, recover deleted files, and analyze system artifacts, logs, and user activity.
Analyze complex technical data, including file systems (NTFS, HFS+, APFS, ext4), memory dumps, network packet captures, and application-specific data structures to reconstruct events and timelines.
Prepare clear, concise, and technically accurate forensic reports that detail the analytical process, methodology, and findings in a manner that is understandable to non-technical stakeholders such as attorneys, investigators, and juries.
Provide expert witness testimony in depositions, hearings, and trials, effectively communicating complex technical concepts and defending forensic findings under cross-examination.
Conduct detailed forensic analysis of mobile devices (iOS and Android), including logical, file system, and physical extractions, to recover call logs, messages, location data, and application activity.
Perform keyword searching, data carving, and timeline analysis across large datasets to identify relevant information and patterns of communication or behavior.
Investigate network intrusions and security breaches by analyzing firewall logs, server logs, and network traffic to identify attack vectors, compromised systems, and data exfiltration.
When legally permissible, employ techniques to decrypt encrypted files or bypass password protection on devices and files to gain access to critical evidence.
Assist investigators and legal counsel in developing investigative strategies and understanding the implications of digital evidence found during an examination.
Stay current with emerging technologies, new forensic methodologies, malware trends, and changes in digital forensic law and best practices.
Validate and test forensic tools, software, and procedures to ensure their reliability, accuracy, and adherence to scientific principles.
Manage, maintain, and troubleshoot all hardware and software within the forensic laboratory environment to ensure operational readiness.
Conduct forensic analysis on non-traditional digital sources, such as vehicle infotainment systems, IoT devices, and drone flight data.
Perform static and dynamic malware analysis to understand the functionality, origin, and impact of malicious code discovered on examined systems.
Reconstruct web browsing history, email communications, and social media activity from system artifacts and application data.
Adhere strictly to established laboratory quality assurance protocols, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and legal guidelines to ensure all work is defensible.
Author and deliver technical training sessions to law enforcement personnel and legal staff on topics related to digital evidence handling and basic forensic principles.
Participate in peer review of forensic reports and casework to ensure the highest standards of quality, accuracy, and technical proficiency across the team.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis to assist in early case assessment.
Contribute to the organization's data strategy and roadmap, particularly concerning evidence management and retention policies.
Collaborate with business units and legal departments to translate data needs and eDiscovery requests into technical forensic requirements.
Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies if working within an integrated incident response or eDiscovery team.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Proficiency with major forensic analysis suites such as EnCase, Forensic Toolkit (FTK), and X-Ways Forensics.
Expertise in mobile device forensics using tools like Cellebrite UFED/Physical Analyzer, Magnet AXIOM, or Grayshift.
Deep understanding of various operating systems (Windows, macOS, Linux) and their corresponding file systems (NTFS, HFS+, APFS, ext4).
Experience with memory analysis techniques and tools like Volatility or Redline.
Knowledge of network forensics and analysis of packet captures using tools like Wireshark.
Competency in scripting languages, particularly Python or PowerShell, for automating forensic tasks and parsing data.
Experience with forensic analysis of cloud environments (Office 365, AWS, Google Workspace).
Strong knowledge of data recovery, data carving, and file repair techniques.
Familiarity with the legal principles of digital evidence, chain of custody, and search and seizure.
Possession of industry certifications such as GIAC Certified Forensic Examiner (GCFE), Certified Computer Examiner (CCE), EnCase Certified Examiner (EnCE), or similar.

Soft Skills

Exceptional attention to detail and a methodical, process-oriented mindset.
Unwavering personal and professional integrity and a strong sense of ethics.
Excellent written communication skills for producing detailed and clear technical reports.
Strong verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex technical findings to both technical and non-technical audiences.
High degree of analytical and critical-thinking ability to solve complex investigative puzzles.
Ability to remain objective, impartial, and composed, especially when presenting findings in adversarial legal settings.
Strong time management and organizational skills to handle multiple cases simultaneously under tight deadlines.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution or equivalent professional experience in a related field.

Preferred Education:

Master’s degree in Digital Forensics, Cybersecurity, Computer Science, or a related discipline.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Digital Forensics & Incident Response
Computer Science
Cybersecurity
Criminal Justice

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

3-7 years of hands-on experience in digital forensics, incident response, or eDiscovery, preferably within a law enforcement or corporate legal setting.

Preferred:

Prior experience providing expert testimony in a court of law or deposition.
Demonstrable experience leading complex digital investigations from start to finish.
Active security clearance or the ability to obtain one may be required for certain government positions.