Yesterday evening (1st May 2012) QCC hosted a briefing for defence solicitors on the evidential usefulness of computer data analysis in sexual abuse cases.

The session focused on the practical and technical aspects of computer evidence in sexual abuse cases. Computers store enormous amounts of digital data, only some of which will be relevant and helpful. Knowing where artefacts will be and interpreting them correctly is crucial when assessing the validity of the evidence relied upon by the prosecution and the material they may have ignored or missed. Maintaining the integrity of evidence collected is critical for a successful outcome in any computer-based forensic investigation. In-depth analysis of digital information will highlight legally admissible evidence and expert testimony can help you prove or disprove theories or allegations.

Keith Bishop, senior computer forensic specialist at QCC, presented a technical overview with scenarios and case studies.

Ronald Jaffa, Barrister at 25 Bedford Row, spoke about ‘indecent images on computer: the defence expert’s role’.

Our briefings are worth 2 CPD credits

- For more information on future briefings, please contact Marité on 020 7632 7134 or briefings@qccis.com.
- For digital forensic enquiries, please contact: 020 7353 9000 or contact@qccis.com.

We are happy to announce that we are now part of the Civil Service Live Network – here is a link to our profile.

QCC is pleased to announce that our very own Blackthorn GRC has won a 2012 GRC Technology Innovation Award.

“Blackthorn GRC enables risk to be presented in a clearer, repeatable and graphical way. Risk is understood and analyzed within Blackthorn through the use of “trees.” In Blackthorn, the approach is to use drag-drop functionality to build risk models using objects (threats, threat agents, exploits and vulnerabilities, impacts, controls, etc.). The models are built underneath each critical business asset. Because risk models are built around assets and represented in trees, it has the ability to aggregate risk totals up the tree, with total risk for the organization viewable from any level. Blackthorn represents risk models so they are fed with data from a range of activities, both proactive (assessments, audits, reviews, etc.) and reactive (incidents, cases, breaches, etc.). This makes the risk results both real-time and more reliable.”

Check out the full announcement at corp-integrity.com!

As we move forward into the new year, we would like to take a moment to thank two of our wonderful employees who earned two commendations for QCC last year.

In May 2011, Gary Evans, Digital Forensic Specialist, was awarded a commendation from His Honour Judge Morris at Lincoln Crown Court, for his dedication in the case of R – v – William Andrew Wright. The defendant was a serving police officer who sexually abused a number of children and used the Internet to pose as a teenage girl in order to groom his many victims. Gary spent many months examining the numerous computers that were seized in this case and his painstaking work helped secure an indeterminate sentence for Mr Wright.

In October 2011, William Walker, Digital Forensic Specialist, was awarded a commendation from the SO15 Counter Terrorism Command for his work on Operation Theseus (the London Bombings in 2005). He was responsible for examining mobile phones and other electronic devices.

Gary and William are both valued members of the QCC team, and we are thankful that they are working along side us all! Fingers crossed for some 2012 commendations!

Current Issue

Risk Specialist provides risk and insurance news, opinions and articles for specific industries and mid-sized to large corporations. Each article brings together specialists from the insurance market and, quite often, risk managers in major corporations to discuss current issues, developments or to share best practice and their experience.

This edition includes:

Barring the cyber criminals
The increasing frequency and severity of cyber attacks and their impact on business can no longer be ignored. But insuring against exposures from a security breach requires more than an extension to a traditional property or liability policy.

Download the full article here (Adobe PDF 318Kb)

Bridging the M&A uncertainty gap
The onset of the global financial crisis has made it more difficult to get mergers and acquisitions (M&A) across the line. Volatility is bringing a new level of insecurity to transactions so companies are looking to insurance to bridge the uncertainty gap.

Download the full article here (Adobe PDF 1.4mb)

Back to Realty
A Europe-wide real estate insurance strategy provides more control and saves money, but expertise and local knowledge is needed to overcome the many challenges and realise the potential.

Download the full article here (Adobe PDF 479Kb) 

Other articles included in this month’s Risk Specialist include:

Risk Roundtable 2011
Elizabeth Stephens, Head of Credit & Political Risk Analysis at JLT Specialty, gives an overview of the current climate and speaks to other members of the Advisory Board of JLT World Risk Review, who use their expertise to analyse specific areas.

Problematic Prototypes
Risks in renewable energy are high and costs can quickly escalate when things go wrong. An insurance policy may not pay out in the way you expect or as quickly you hope.

Case Study – Belo Monte: Generating Growth.
Building the world’s third largest capacity dam in the Amazon comes with its fair share of challenges. Getting the right insurance on the best terms involved a co-ordinated and creative response.

Tackling piracy through cooperation
Since 2007 the shipping industry has been facing a crisis. Piracy threatens any ships that transit the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean – numerous vessels have been hijacked. Sean Woollerson explains the impact on the shipping industry and the options being developed by JLT Specialty’s Energy & Marine Division.

This magazine is only available in hard copy format. To receive a copy please visit this JTL webpage  or speak with your usual JLT contact.