Digital Forensics Officer

Do you have an interest in dealing with Digital Forensics? Are you interested in helping vulnerable people by tackling criminal activity? Are you motivated to deliver the right outcomes in challenging situations? The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) could be the place for you. This is a hugely important public service, and our challenge is bigger than ever. DWP's Economic, Serious and Organised Crime (ESOC) team is the arm of DWP's Counter Fraud, Compliance and Debt (CFCD) Directorate that deals with complex and sophisticated attacks on DWP benefits and grants payments - usually by Organised Crime Groups.

DWP are looking for people to join our Digital Forensics Team, to support investigations teams tackling fraud against the Department on a team committed to tackling fraud, encountered through our ESOC team. You will be at the forefront of tackling serious and organised crimes against DWP, which often has links into wider criminality of modern slavery, human trafficking, and identity fraud.

You will work to support Senior Leaders and Investigators delivering across multi law enforcement agencies on high profile and serious fraud operations.

Additionally, as work streams change and DWP reacts to the changing behaviours in criminal activity, digital forensic officers must keep pace with modern methods in the digital world.

• The role of the Digital Forensics Officer (DFO) is to support investigations through the examination of digital devices and the development of the Digital Forensics Strategy.
• DFOs act as subject matter experts, giving guidance to investigative staff, to create Digital Forensic Strategies, including extracting evidential data and its correct use, in line with relevant guidance and legislation, e.g. the Forensic Science Regulator (FSR) Code of Practice.
• DFOs are required to undertake complex examination, processing, analysis and interpretation of digital evidence and take the lead on a range of digital forensic matters.
• DFOs will provide technical support to the Investigation Teams, including reviewing data from devices and assisting them in obtaining an informed overview of the techniques available to gather required information.
• They will advise of the appropriate digital forensic tools and methodology to sift and examine material relevant to the case, ensuring this is reasonable and proportional.
• They will manage the progress of digital forensics work in liaison with Investigators.
• The DFO will arrange production and exhibiting reports within agreed timescales, always ensuring evidential continuity.
• DFOs will correctly examine, retain, record, review and reveal data from digital forensics in accordance with relevant frameworks and policies, for example: CPIA, FSR Statutory Code of Practice, Attorney Generals Guidelines on Disclosure, and other appropriate legislation or guidance.
• DFOs will lead, support, and guide Digital Forensic Technicians (DFTs) with complex technological / digital forensic issues by coaching, mentoring and sharing knowledge to help build capability and work in collaboration to resolve issues.
• The role will require practitioners to demonstrate professional competency, as per the Forensic Science Regulator (FSR) Code of Practice, attain and maintain certifications/accreditations, pass relevant technical courses and maintain knowledge of forensic science activities.
• Practitioners will liaise with relevant stakeholders on digital forensic related matters to provide creative, compliant solutions to technical and evidential issues.
• There will be a requirement for frequent national travel, for example to assist other DFOs or investigation teams, attend briefings, and attend the scene to assist investigators as part of teams overseeing search and seizure of digital devices.

Please note

• Competency testing is a key requirement of accreditation, and practitioners will need to demonstrate this on an ongoing basis, and as part of any witness statements produced to support criminal investigations. Assessment of competency is required before candidates can undertake forensic science activities.
• Candidates will need to pass relevant technical courses, undergo initial and ongoing training and be regularly assessed, to be deemed competent to operate in line with the FSR Code of Practice. This will include undertaking tasks under observation to demonstrate level of competency.
• All candidates must attain a Level 4 Digital Forensics apprenticeship within the prescribed timescales (normally 2 years). In addition to the apprenticeship, candidates will require to achieve a pass mark in formal certification to be able to use digital tools.
• Support will be provided to all candidates to enable them to achieve the required standard.
• Where the required standard is not achieved, it will not be possible to fulfil the role and candidates will be redeployed, following DWP Workforce Management Policy and Procedures.
• Maintenance of professional competence will be required for themselves and any colleagues they line manage within the Digital Forensics (DF) unit, as required by the FSR Code of Practice.

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