Cybercrime
Technical challenges are issues associated with reporting, classifying, and policing of cybercrimes. For instance, many operating systems and software’s are managed using tools that recognize, assemble, and conserve digital evidence. In most cases, the cybercrime investigators do not have access to the digital forensic tools required to conduct investigations successfully. Law enforcement agencies have a limited ability to investigate cybercrimes (Garcia, 2018). The constant evolution of information and technology requires cybercrime investigators to remain informed about the changes in motives, tactics, and targets of cybercriminals. Brain drain, caused by understaffing of cybercrime investigators in public law enforcement agencies is a significant challenge when policing cybercrime. Highly trained cybercrime investigators leave federal agencies due to heavy workload. Few investigators within the federal investigative departments end up solving limited cases.
Cybercrime has become a dangerous crime since it influences economic loss, the development of psychological disorders and disorganization of social institutions. Criminal profiling of cybercrimes is based on the analysis of behavioural and mental patterns. Criminologists experience different challenges when profiling criminals (Garcia, 2018). In most cases, young cybercriminals use cyber-attacks to showcase their hacking skills or for curiosity. This affects ongoing investigations since the investigators lack enough evidence to construct a strong criminal case. Cybercriminals have become a subject of study among criminologists due to increased instances of cyberstalking and hacking (Garcia, 2018). Profilers depend on existing information to determine the behavioural patterns and motives of cybercriminals. Lack of cooperation between charged criminals and criminologists creates challenges since they rely on the information shared to theorize and solve a crime. Lack of reliable computer and forensic training affects investigations since criminologists lack enough motivation to understand how hackers operate.
REFERENCES
Garcia, N. (2018). The use of criminal profiling in cybercrime investigations (Doctoral dissertation, Master’s Thesis). Available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global database. (Accession Order No. AAT 10839020)).