Archive for November, 2008
Five popular misconceptions about forensic investigation
1. Only the police carry out forensic investigations.
The escalation of sophisticated and complex financial crimes, often perpetrated across international borders has challenged the diminishing resources of regulators and law enforcement agencies. The abuse may not constitute or support a criminal conviction and is therefore outside the purview of a government investigation. Nor may it be the best and appropriate way to resolve the problem. Forensic investigators, often drawn from the most senior ranks of law enforcement, prosecution and regulatory agencies have honed their specialist expertise for the private sector where they manage cases for their clients with same rigor and attention to detail.
2. Forensic investigators wear white coats, latex gloves and work for the police.
There are certainly trained colleagues who undertake their work in such attire, but it is increasingly likely you will find the modern forensic investigator involved in analysing complex business transactions and relationships, looking for the minute and not so obvious connections. The tool in trade including a raft of mapping and display software applications that scan deliberately deleted records; trawling through a myriad of subscriber databases piecing together key data as it goes.
3. Forensic investigation is just about quantifying loss, economical damage for insurance or personal injury, warranty, breach of contract claims, divorce or other legal settlements.
It is true that many forensic accountants specialize solely in this area and have little if anything to do with criminal investigation or the broader areas of forensic examination. However, there are a small but increasing number who are engaging in the wider field of forensics.
