Forensic Focus

Rob Fried, digital forensics consultant, author, and assistant professor at Hofstra University, joins the Forensic Focus Podcast to talk about the evolving challenges of forensic practice, AI in investigations, and his latest book. Rob discusses his annual publication cadence — now in its fourth edition — and how each year's content is shaped by real cases, collaborations, and emerging topics in the DFIR community. This year's edition tackles AI policy, data culling strategy, and the documentation practices that keep forensic work defensible in court.
The conversation also covers the growing complexity of remote collections and the soft skills required to manage them effectively, the tension between targeted and full file system approaches, and what happens when those decisions come under scrutiny in litigation. Rob shares his experience building a forensics practice from the ground up within an established e-discovery firm, his work teaching the next generation of examiners at Hofstra, and his upcoming symposium — now in its fifth year — which this year will focus on open source intelligence and corporate investigations.
#mobileforensics #digitalforensics #dfir
⏱️ Timestamps
00:00 Introducing Rob Fried
03:48 Why Rob Keeps Writing
07:33 AI Policies and Teaching
09:39 AI Tools and NotebookLM
11:42 AI Spam Call Story
14:33 Forensic Lab and Data Strategy
22:30 Targeted Collection Risks
26:10 Remote Collections and Soft Skills
33:41 Building a Forensics Practice
35:14 Academia and Closing Skill Gaps
39:17 Forensics Network
41:26 Learning and Collaboration
45:42 Planning the Annual Symposium
50:36 Tech Roots and Career Values
54:49 Swag, Challenge Coins and Future Plans
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🎥 Video/Transcript: https://www.forensicfocus.com/podcast/rob-fried-on-new-challenges-in-digital-forensics/
📝 Show Notes
Forensics By Fried – https://forensicsbyfried.com
Rob Fried's Books – https://forensicsbyfried.com/books
AI Spoof Call (Instagram) – https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVOXY5MiGNT/?igsh=N3J0cDJwaXk1bW5o
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📝 Complete the Forensic Focus International Well-Being Study: https://www.forensicfocus.com/survey
Bunmi Bloom, co-founder of Sena Forensics, joins the Forensic Focus Podcast to discuss the emotional reality of working in digital forensics and the psychological toll of long-term exposure to traumatic material. Drawing on her background with the Metropolitan Police and the Financial Conduct Authority, Bunmi reflects on how DFIR practitioners navigate disturbing images, case reports, and the pressure to "stay strong and get on with it."
The conversation explores coping mechanisms inside the lab, the vital role of social support, and how desensitisation can develop over time. Bunmi shares why many investigators feel unable to speak openly, how team culture shapes resilience, and what better preparation for new DFIs could look like. She also considers whether psychological screening, mentoring, and leadership-driven change could help create safer, more supportive forensic workplaces. 
#digitalforensics #DFIR #MentalHealth #Wellbeing #Policing #CSAM
00:00 Introducing Bunmi Bloom
00:39 Sena Forensics: Mission and Services
03:44 Professional Background
05:35 The Impactful LinkedIn Post
07:50 Emotional Challenges in Digital Forensics
10:55 Coping Mechanisms and Social Support
15:20 Desensitization and Emotional Detachment
18:39 Preparation and Support for New DFIs
22:56 The Importance of Recognizing Stressors
25:16 The Role of Social Support
28:27 Cultural Shifts in Mental Health Awareness
31:53 Psychological Screening in Recruitment
38:53 Systemic Change and Leadership
41:20 Final Thoughts and Recommendations
👉 Visit Forensic Focus: https://www.forensicfocus.com
🎧 Video/Transcript: https://www.forensicfocus.com/podcast/preparing-investigators-for-trauma-exposure-in-digital-forensics/
📝 Show Notes
Sena Forensics on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sena-forensics-bunmi-bloom-76a592374/
Forensic Focus International Well-Being Study - https://www.forensicfocus.com/survey
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📝 Take The Surveys
An Exploratory Study of Covert Cyber Investigators and the Psychological Factors Impacting on Personal Resilience and Investigative Decision-Making
https://hud.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3gwyXAR281cY12C
Forensic Focus International Well-Being Study
https://www.forensicfocus.com/survey
Carol Brooks, a cyber and organisational psychologist and leadership consultant, joins the Forensic Focus Podcast to discuss her PhD research into covert cyber investigators and the psychological factors that shape their resilience and investigative decision-making. She explains what it really means to work "covertly" online and why inconsistent job titles across law enforcement, cybersecurity and the private sector make it difficult even to define the workforce she is studying.
The conversation explores the significant challenges involved in recruiting participants — from suspicion and cultural barriers to the difficulties of engaging freelancers and small teams — and highlights why anonymity and ethical oversight are critical to building trust. It also examines the importance of bridging the gap between academia and industry if research is to have real-world impact, before concluding with a call for covert cyber investigators worldwide to take part in the study and help give this hidden workforce a much-needed voice.
#DigitalForensics #DFIR #CyberPsychology #InvestigatorWellbeing #CovertInvestigations #mentalhealth
00:00 Introducing Carol Brooks
02:05 Carol's PhD Journey and Research Focus
06:49 Understanding Covert Cyber Investigators
13:11 Challenges in Recruiting Participants
27:18 Psychological Factors in Cyber Investigations
29:54 Setting PhD Goals and Challenges
31:02 Connecting with Covert Investigators
32:25 Overcoming Suspicion and Misconceptions
33:26 Strategies for Accessing Networks
36:37 Supporting Investigator Wellbeing
46:55 Bridging Academia and Industry
52:50 Balancing PhD and Personal Life
58:36 Call to Action for Covert Investigators
👉 Visit Forensic Focus: https://www.forensicfocus.com
🎧 Video/Transcript: https://www.forensicfocus.com/podcast/covert-cyber-investigator-well-being-with-carol-brooks/
📝 Show Notes
An Exploratory Study of Covert Cyber Investigators and the Psychological Factors Impacting on Personal Resilience and Investigative Decision-Making - https://hud.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3gwyXAR281cY12C
British Psychological Society Cyber Psychology Section – https://www.bps.org.uk
Forensic Focus International Well-Being Study - https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/northumbria/forensic-focus-wellbeing-survey
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Phil Anderson from Northumbria University joins the Forensic Focus Podcast to discuss the launch of the Forensic Focus International Well-Being Study — a global research project examining the psychological and physical impact of digital forensic work across both law enforcement and the private sector.
Drawing on his 24-year academic career and long-standing collaboration with Northumbria Police, Phil explains how digital forensics units have evolved and why DFIs are facing unprecedented levels of stress, burnout, and workload pressure.
Together with host Paul, he outlines the four core research themes behind the study — early-life trauma and resilience, the mind-body impact of occupational stress, organisational protective factors, and the role of neurodiversity — and issues a clear call to action for DFIs worldwide to take part and help drive meaningful change.
#DigitalForensics #DFIR #ForensicWellbeing #DFIs #MentalHealth #Neurodiversity #Trauma #PoliceForensics
00:00 Phil Anderson's Journey into Digital Forensics
01:34 Collaboration with Northumbria Police
02:33 The Evolution of Digital Forensics Units
03:34 Planning the Forensic Focus Well-Being Study
11:40 Exploring the Impact of Early Life Trauma on DFIs
19:51 Coping Strategies and Physical Health in DFIs
24:37 Challenges and Stressors in Digital Forensics
27:51 Challenges in Digital Forensics
28:42 Recruitment and Retention Issues
30:18 Acknowledging the Crisis
33:34 Protective Factors Against Trauma
44:08 Neurodiversity in Digital Forensics
47:46 Call to Action: Participate in the Survey
👉 Visit Forensic Focus at https://www.forensicfocus.com
🎧 Video/Transcript: https://www.forensicfocus.com/podcast/forensic-focus-international-well-being-study-have-your-say/
📝 Show Notes
Forensic Focus International Well-Being Study - https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/northumbria/forensic-focus-wellbeing-survey
Forensic Focus and Northumbria University Launch International Well-Being Study for Digital Forensic Investigators - https://www.forensicfocus.com/news/forensic-focus-and-northumbria-university-launch-international-well-being-study-for-digital-forensic-investigators/
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Si and Desi close out the year on the Forensic Focus Podcast with a wide-ranging end-of-2025 wrap-up, reflecting on how the year unfolded for the show and the DFIR community. They discuss the mental health series, guest appearances, and how everyday technologies — from streaming services to wearables — are increasingly intersecting with forensic investigations, even when people don't realise it.
The conversation then broadens to bigger technology shifts, including the rapid rise of AI and its legal, ethical, and societal implications. Si and Desi explore bias, misinformation, validation, and why human oversight still matters, before turning to the resurgence of operating system "wars," Apple's growing market share, Linux's expanding presence, and what changing user behaviour could mean for digital forensics in the years ahead.
#DigitalForensics #DFIR #ForensicFocusPodcast #AI #Wearables #Linux #Apple
👉 Visit Forensic Focus: https://www.forensicfocus.com
⏱️ Timestamps
00:00 Welcome to the Forensic Focus Podcast
00:33 Reflecting on the Year 2025
01:32 Challenges and Changes in 2025
02:09 Mental Health Series and Guest Appearances
04:51 Streaming Services and TV Licenses
09:27 Wearable Technology and Forensics
18:11 AI in Legal and Ethical Contexts
44:20 AI's Inevitable Rise
44:37 The Resurgence of Operating System Wars
45:19 Apple's Growing Market Share
46:31 Linux's Increasing Presence
53:14 Challenges for Linux Adoption
01:02:31 The Shift to Mobile and Tablet Usage
01:14:49 AI-Generated Content and Its Implications
01:21:50 Reflections on Free Speech and AI
01:27:57 Looking Ahead to the Future
🎧 Video/Transcript: https://www.forensicfocus.com/podcast/si-and-desis-holiday-special-2025/
📝 Show Notes
Forensic Focus Podcasts - https://www.forensicfocus.com/podcast
Forensic Focus Jobs Board - https://www.forensicfocus.com/jobs
'The old-school landline is having a cultural moment', ABC - https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11-16/landline-rotary-phone-social-media-ban-family-connect/106010638
'Judges have become 'human filters' as AI in Australian courts reaches 'unsustainable phase', chief justice says', The Guardian - https://www.theguardian.com/law/2025/nov/21/judges-have-become-human-filters-as-ai-in-australian-courts-reaches-unsustainable-phase-chief-justice-says
'Founder Admits His "AI Transcription" Startup Was Just Him Joining People's Meetings and Taking Notes by Hand', Futurism - https://futurism.com/artificial-intelligence/fireflies-founder-startup-ai
'Man Alarmed to Discover His Smart Vacuum Was Broadcasting a Secret Map of His House', Futurism - https://futurism.com/robots-and-machines/robot-vacuum-broadcasting
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