Cybercrime and Computer Forensics in Peru

The project is funded by the European Union to support the European Union’s law enforcement agencies in the fight against drugs and organised crime in Peru” and this week hosted an online workshop entitled “Cybercrime and Computer Forensics”. The activity highlighted how crime is being redirected toward cyberspace and the need to train the police and legal institutions accordingly. The target groups of this workshop were public officials from the police, the Public Ministry and the Judiciary of Peru.  

The event was opened by the magistrate Rafael Soriano Guzmán, head of the project and supervised by police expert Leopoldo Gil Cantero.  The activity included training sessions given by European experts Alejandro García Molina, Sergeant of the Guardia Civil of Spain and Christian Bordenave from CIVIPOL, France.  

The training in the subject of digital evidence gave an overview of forensic analysis by studying open source tools, file management, forensic telephony, use of cryptocurrencies and stenography, among other topics.  

Sergeant García said that cybercrime is becoming more sophisticated, using tools that protect the anonymity of criminals. Therefore, any investigation process must cover both criminal and procedural aspects. An exhaustive and detailed check is essential to improve and streamline aspects such as the home searches, custody, cloning and follow-up of evidence, as well as the writing of technical-police reports, to be able to prove these matters in court. 

Secondly, the need to investigate “from highest to lowest severity” considering all possible criminal offences in an investigation even when these are not particularly evident.  

Thirdly, the need to assess not only the physical dimension of digital evidence, but also its virtual aspects, since much evidence can be stored in the cloud. 

Finally, the need to strengthen and promote international legal and police cooperation, since the exchange of intelligence and documentation is essential for successful prosecution. In this regard, the FIIAPP has an important role promoting public technical cooperation projects and peer learning to address these global threats and challenges.