The rise in the number and variety of digital devices has changed all facets of society,from the way we work and communicate to how our lives are recorded. Computers, notebooks, networks, mobile phones, digital cameras and embedded devices are all readily available and it is difficult to imagine a person that does not own at least some of these. However, with this rise in the use of electronics, comes its potential misuse. Electronic devices have transformed how existing crimes may occur, and also have allowed for several new forms of illegal activity. However, given the global nature of the Internet, such crimes may take place over multiple jurisdictions and countries. Where the investigation into computer-based crime occurs between two or more countries, there is a need for the two teams to understand the legal and cultural differences between them. Whilst the legal differences are written, interpreted and can be made explicit, there is less knowledge on the cultural differences between two countries, working in an emerging scientific field. Literature not only shows that the applications of science are affected by culture, but also demonstrates that computer forensics is a subject within the field of science. This research seeks to answer the question: Does Culture have impacts on Applications of Computer Forensics? In order to seek the answer of this problem, at least two countries with different cultural backgrounds and customs will be examined. Specifically, this work will discuss Australia and Taiwan, as these countries are examples of distinctive cultural variations found in the Asia Pacific. Culture is difficult to directly measure, and this work utilises the Delphi survey technique and case study interviews of computer forensic professionals and experts in the field in both Australia and Taiwan as its primary source of data collection. Analysis of this data provides both a view of the field at large, provided by the Delphi survey results and more detailed knowledge from specific experts gathered from the interviews. Specifically, the Delphi survey has 40 questions in five dimensions (Current Situation, Policy and Organization, Education, Law, and Personal Preference and Skill), and the interview is comprised of 13 questions, each asking for more depth than the Delphi can provide. The outcomes of this research directly compare the Australian and Taiwanese cultures as they apply to the field of computer forensics. As such, the most tangible outcome is a framework for Australian and Taiwanese law enforcement, forensic science community, and the court. The suggestions for cross-cultural, cross-border and collaborative digital forensic investigations can be provided based on the discoveries of this research. This thesis essentially helps the mutual understanding between Australian and Taiwanese computer forensic investigators. The understanding is able to improve the chances of success of future cooperation between Australia and Taiwan.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ADTP/284048 |
| Date | January 2008 |
| Creators | Lin, Yi-Chi |
| Source Sets | Australiasian Digital Theses Program |
| Language | EN-AUS |
| Detected Language | English |
| Rights | Copyright Yi-Chi Lin 2008 |
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