They say that those who do not study history are doomed to repeat it. That sounds like "deja vu all over again." Despite the calls from certain factions that digital forensics develop, appoint, and/or anoint a body to oversee its development, we are no closer to having a solution than we were 5 years ago. I would like to say that this was due to some complex technical or impassable philosophical schism, but the sad truth is that we are mired in political turf wars, greedy entrepreneurs, and resume padders.
We as a collective discipline do not seem to understand that if we do not address this fundamental issue, we will have a solution thrust upon us. Historically the "thrusting" of regulations or administrative processes has not been beneficial to most groups. We can also look to other professions like the CPA's to find models that appear to work and have somehow overcome all of the so called challenges we are facing.
To date we have become dysfunctional and petty in our attempts to address how we are going to mature and police our own discipline. While the penultimate solution seems to be hidden from us, the stop gap solutions currently being attempted (numerous organizations and companies all claiming they alone speak for the science) are not solutions at all and only further complicate and alienate those of us in the community.
Maybe it is time we call our own detente, collectively sit down, look at the historical record of other forensic sciences and actually come up with a solution! Alas, I fear this will not happen soon as there is far too much money to be made in this area and it seems greed and ego stroking trumps all.
And I thought South Africa is the only western country facing this problem?
ReplyDeleteWe totally felt in the cold as far as accreditation and regulation are concerned.
I cant even apply to our qualification body to present certified courses.