Manila (Philippines), 7-9 February, 2023 - As society increasingly embraces technology and mobile devices become more prevalent, the rise in financial crimes utilizing technological devices presents a significant challenge for law enforcement. Criminals exploit computers, cellphones, GPS devices, and digital cameras for communication, data storage, and facilitating illicit activities.
Recognizing the importance of effectively collecting and handling digital evidence, UNODC conducted a digital training course for key stakeholders in the Philippines' anti-corruption landscape, including the Office of the Ombudsman, Philippine National Police, Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), National Bureau of Investigations, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and the Department of Justice National Prosecution Service. Held from the 7-9 February 2023, this training course focused on equipping investigators with the necessary skills and knowledge to navigate the complexities of digital evidence collection and processing.
The course covered a wide range of topics, including the identification of digital evidence sources across the internet and various devices, methodology for conducting digital evidence investigations, readiness, and preparation for crime scene analysis, collection techniques based on different device types, data analysis, forensic report preparation, and the utilization of digital evidence in a judicial setting. By providing participants these valuable skills, the course aimed to strengthen their ability to combat corruption effectively.
Participants expressed exceptional satisfaction with the overall content, topics covered, and teaching methodology of the training course. Moreover, their progress was quantifiable through the pre- and post-test scores which revealed a remarkable improvement of 40 percentage points. This increase reflects the participants’ enhanced knowledge and understanding of digital evidence collection and processing.
As technology continues to shape our society, the rise in financial crimes involving digital devices demands a proactive response from law enforcement agencies. The UNODC's Digital Evidence Training Course stands as an exemplary initiative to enhance the capabilities of investigators and prosecutors from the Office of the Ombudsman, Philippine National Police, AMLC, National Bureau of Investigations, SEC, and the Department of Justice National Prosecution Service. By empowering them with advanced digital forensics skills, this training course enables more effective countermeasures against corruption and other serious crimes.
This event was conducted as part of activities funded by the Republic of Korea.
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