In my role at Guidance Software as a product manager, I have a fun job. Every day, I get to come into the office and work with some of the best and brightest engineers who build tools for the most brilliant digital investigators in the world. I get to meet investigators in government, law enforcement and corporations, our customers, who do the good work of investigating crime, fraud and general wrongdoing. Working with talented, focused people is rewarding. Working with talented focused people for a good cause is downright enjoyable.
Every once in awhile, I get a glimpse of the results of the hand-to-hand combat that today’s digital investigators routinely engage in. A story was published on CNN.com (http://www.cnn.com/2013/06/19/us/cfp-us-race-against-time) this week, describing the efforts of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) to save a victim of child abuse. A photo was “being posted by an individual who was looking for information on how to best rape this little girl and get away with it.” The story chronicles Special Agent Jim Cole, in a race against time, using digital and traditional investigation tactics to find the victim in a remote part of Kansas. Through Jim’s efforts, a raid was conducted and the 11 year old victim was rescued.
Regardless of the tools used, the efficiency of the techniques, or the guile of the suspects, the victim was rescued. That is something worth talking about, and savoring. It’s also a pointed reminder of one reason why we do what we do: there are problems that are bigger than what technology can solve. I think Guidance Software’s defined role, building tools, ultimately helps the good guys work together to tackle these problems.
I’d like to offer heartfelt congratulations to SA Jim Cole and the HSI team on behalf of our team here at Guidance Software. Their efforts measurably make the world a better place.
I think we could all benefit from the perspective of more stories of digital investigator brilliance around the globe. What stories do you have to tell?
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