Module Descriptors
DIGITAL FORENSIC FUNDAMENTALS
COCS70383
Key Facts
Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Sciences
Level 7
15 credits
Contact
Leader: Rob Shaw
Email: R.Shaw@staffs.ac.uk
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 24
Independent Study Hours: 126
Total Learning Hours: 150
Assessment
  • EXAMINATION - UNSEEN IN EXAMINATION CONDITIONS weighted at 50%
  • ASSIGNMENT weighted at 50%
Module Details
Module Texts
Docter Q, Dudlaney E, Skandier T, CompTIA A+ COMPLETE STUDEY GUIDE, 2009,Sybex, ISBN: 978-0-470-48649-8
UK ACPO guidelines, Version 7
Bainbridge D, INTRODUCTION TO INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY LAW, 2008, PERSON LONGMAN, ISBN: 978-1-4058-4666-0
Solomon, M, Rudolph, K, Computer Forensics Jump start, John wiley & Sons; 2nd Edition 2011, ISBN: 9780470931660
Carvey, H, Windows Forensic Analysis DVD Toolkit 2nd Edition, Syngress, 2010 ISBN: 9781597494229
Module Learning Strategies
The material will be presented through a combination of lectures, tutorials, practical exercises and directed self-study.
Teaching is in the form of 1 lecture and 1 tutorial session per week.
(1:n)1 (1:20)1
Module Additional Assessment Details
An assignment length 1500 words weighted at 50% (Learning outcome 1, 2, 3, 4)
Hardware skills exam weighted at 50% length of 2 hours (Learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4)
Module Indicative Content
This module covers the main aspects and concepts of digital devices and the significance of implementing forensic techniques to collect digital artefacts from individual and networked computer systems. In particular it will address :
- Computer systems components architecture and infrastructure
- Computer box, Laptops, smart devices
- Media and storage - file storage systems, i.e. hard disks, RAID drives, Zip and floppy formats etc.

Module Special Admissions Requirements
None.
Module Resources
Access to the Digital Forensic Lab
Computer cases showing internal components
Digital Forensics Software (EnCase, FTK, NetAnalysis)