Finding child pornography on their computers is perhaps every IT manager’s greatest fear. When it is found, it has to be handled with discretion and the highest forensic standards.
The problem
In carrying out an electronic discovery for a client, we uncovered child pornographic material on one of the computers.
The solution
Such material is contraband, and private firms are prohibited from working on it. Finding such material is an occupational hazard of IT forensics and any reputable supplier of such services must have procedures for responding to discoveries of this kind.
We advised our client of the finding. We then helped them liaise with An Garda Siochana to report the finding and to hand over the evidence to the Garda Computer Crime Investigation Unit. We use police-grade evidence collection and handling techniques, so the Gardai were able to take over the investigation without concerns over the validity of evidence we had uncovered.
The person found in possession of the material was successfully prosecuted. Despite having fully cooperated with the police our clients name was never reported in relation to the case in the press, or anywhere else.