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Article
Forensic investigation of cyberstalking cases using Behavioural Evidence Analysis
Digital Investigation
  • Noora Al Mutawa, University of Central Lancashire
  • Joanne Bryce, University of Central Lancashire
  • Virginia N.L. Franqueira, University of Derby
  • Andrew Marrington, Zayed University
Document Type
Conference Proceeding
Publication Date
1-1-2016
Abstract

Behavioural Evidence Analysis (BEA) is, in theory, useful in developing an understanding of the offender, the victim, the crime scene, and the dynamics of the crime. It can add meaning to the evidence obtained through digital forensic techniques and assist investigators with reconstruction of a crime. There is, however, little empirical research examining the application of BEA to actual criminal cases, particularly cyberstalking cases. This study addresses this gap by examining the utility of BEA for such cases in terms of understanding the behavioural and motivational dimensions of offending, and the way in which digital evidence can be interpreted. It reports on the forensic analysis of 20 cyberstalking cases investigated by Dubai Police in the last five years. Results showed that BEA helps to focus an investigation, enables better understanding and interpretation of victim and offender behaviour, and assists in inferring traits of the offender from available digital evidence. These benefits can help investigators to build a stronger case, reduce time wasted to mistakes, and to exclude suspects wrongly accused in cyberstalking cases.

Publisher
Elsevier Ltd
Disciplines
Keywords
  • Computer forensics,
  • Image reconstruction,
  • Cyberstalking,
  • Digital evidence,
  • Digital forensic,
  • Digital investigation,
  • Empirical research,
  • Evidence analysis,
  • Forensic analysis,
  • Forensic investigation,
  • Crime
Scopus ID

84962367206

Creative Commons License
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International
Indexed in Scopus
Yes
Open Access
Yes
Open Access Type
Hybrid: This publication is openly available in a subscription-based journal/series
Citation Information
Noora Al Mutawa, Joanne Bryce, Virginia N.L. Franqueira and Andrew Marrington. "Forensic investigation of cyberstalking cases using Behavioural Evidence Analysis" Digital Investigation Vol. 16 (2016) p. S96 - S103 ISSN: <p><a href="https://v2.sherpa.ac.uk/id/publication/issn/1742-2876" target="_blank">1742-2876</a></p>
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/andrew-marrington/36/