PNP standardizes cybercrime investigation procedures

Amid rising digital threats like hacking, online pornography and fraud, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has established a seven-point standard for conducting digital forensic examinations.

 

The PNP Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management said the standards should be followed by PNP investigative units when requesting a digital forensic examination.

 

"Cyber crimes such as hacking, pornography and fraud became more prevalent since computers are easily accessed. Digital forensics is the skill to recover and investigate on materials or evidences found in digital devices such as cellphones and computers. The technical aspect of investigation involved computer, network, database and mobile device forensics," the PNP said in a news release Tuesday.

 

It said the format for requesting such investigations consists of seven sections:

 

 

These items are expected to provide sufficient information that will meet the requirements of digital forensic examination, the PNP said.

 

Also, the PNP said the standardization of digital forensic examinations highlights the PNP’s effort to alleviate transnational and cyber crime in every community.

 

"(M)ore so, the system will assure the safety and security of the public in this modern day innovation," it said.

 

It added the standard format posted at the DIDM website was forwarded to different units that frequently seek assistance from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Ggroup for digital forensic examination on their collected evidence of cyber crime cases.

 

Women, child porn

 

Women and child pornography cases are to be handled with extreme sensitivity during the course of an examination, the PNP said.

 

It said the examiner is to duplicate the computer hard drive and remove all the child pornography materials on the original hard drive which will remain on-site or will be returned to the victim or suspect when required.

 

"This is in adherence to protect the human rights of women and children who are vulnerable to this unlawful activity," the PNP said. — TJD, GMA News