American Board of Forensic Dentistry


Articles

Get informed, and keep up to date.

Nov 23, 2009

Microsoft Forensics Tool Leaked Online


A forensics tool built by Microsoft exclusively for law enforcement officials worldwide was posted to a file-sharing site, leaving the USB-based tool at risk of falling into the wrong hands.

 


Category: General
Posted by: Tanja
A forensics tool built by Microsoft exclusively for law enforcement officials worldwide was posted to a file-sharing site, leaving the USB-based tool at risk of falling into the wrong hands.
COFEE is a free, USB-based set of tools, which Microsoft offers only to law enforcement, that plugs into a computer to gather evidence during an investigation. It lets an officer with little or no computer know-how use digital forensics tools to gather volatile evidence.

COFEE was posted, and then later removed, from at least one file-sharing site, but security experts say the cat is now out of the bag. While many forensics tools with similar functionality as Microsoft's Computer Online Forensic Evidence Extractor (COFEE) are available, security experts still worry the bad guys will use their access to the tool to figure out ways to circumvent it.
Chris Wysopal, CTO at Veracode, says the danger is that a detection tool will be written for COFEE so that the bad guys can cover their tracks. "Someone will build a detector so that machines will wipe themselves or give rootkit-like fake answers if this USB is inserted into a computer," Wysopal says.

One researcher who got a copy of COFEE online says bad guys could abuse the tool by taking one of its DLLs and loading it into a compromised machine's memory, where it then dumps stored clear-text passwords to a file.

Microsoft says it's investigating reports that some version of COFEE may have been made available online, but that it's not worried about workarounds. "Note that contrary to reports, we do not anticipate the possible availability of COFEE for cybercriminals to download and find ways to 'build around' to be a significant concern," said Richard Boscovich, senior attorney for Microsoft's Internet Safety Enforcement Team, in a statement. "COFEE was designed and provided for use by law enforcement with proper legal authority, but is essentially a collection of digital forensic tools already commonly used around the world. Its value for law enforcement is not in secret functionality unknown to cybercriminals -- its value is in the way COFEE brings those tools together in a simple and customizable format for law enforcement use in the field."

Boscovich said Microsoft "strongly" recommends not downloading "any technology purporting to be COFEE outside of authorized channels -- both because any unauthorized technology may not be what it claims to be, and because Microsoft has only granted legal usage rights for our COFEE technology for law enforcement purposes."

"We will take action to mitigate any unauthorized distribution of our technology beyond the means for which it's been legally provided," he said.

Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant with Sophos, says while there are plenty of tools that perform similar tasks to COFEE, it's not very likely to be abused for nefarious purposes. But, "that can't be ruled out," he says.

Cluley is more concerned about criminals learning the inner workings of COFEE. The real danger is if they can "determine if it is being run on one of their PCs and take precautionary steps to prevent the computer crime community from finding out what they've been up to," he says.

But getting a copy of COFEE won't likely expose its "secret sauce," says Jamie Butler, a director at digital forensics firm Mandiant. Attempting to reverse-engineer it to evade it probably isn't necessary for the bad guys, anyway, because the suite of tools in COFEE collects so much data that they already can get lost in the "noise," Butler says.

Reference:
Higgins, Kelly Jackson (2009, November 9). "Microsoft Forensics Tool for Law Enforcement Leaked Online." Retrieved December 3, 2009, from http://www.darkreading.com/security/vulnerabilities/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=221600872
Tags: Robert L. O'Block, forensics, crime, DNA, criminal investigations, computer, Microsoft

Articles

Page 1 of 12  > >>

Jul 5, 2011
Category: Forensic Dentistry
Posted by: Admin

 

The quickly growing field of forensic nursing offers great opportunities and rewarding career options.  Because of this it can be hard to set yourself apart from your colleagues and peers, the Certified Forensic Nursing program can help you do just that.

 

What the CFN program can do for you

 

The Certified Forensic Nurse program will prepare as well as educate you onthe following things:

 

 

  • The CFN classification can help aid in adding weight and relevance to any testimony and evidence a Certified Forensic Nurse might present in a court of law
  • The CFN classification can also show a professional nurse's colleagues, patients, clients, employers, and the rest of the health care community that you are committed to continuing your education and that you have an extensive foundation of knowledge and education. 



Published by Dr. Robert O'Block
Tags: Robert O' Block, Dr,. Robert O' Block, ABCHS, ACFEI, certification, continuing education, certified forensic nurse, forensics, homeland security, proffesionals
Feb 9, 2011
Category: Forensic Dentistry
Posted by: Admin

Want to know more about the American College of Forensic Examiners? Read the definitive history of the world's foremost association for foresnic experts, mental health professionals, and homeland security experts. If you want to understand the rise of ACFEI, this is the only book you'll ever need.

 

You can access United for Truth here.
Published by Dr. Robert O'Block
Tags: United for Truth: The ACFEI Story, homeland security, Robert O'Block, forensics, American College of Forensic Examiners, American Psychotherapy Association, American Association of Integrative Medicine
Feb 2, 2011
Category: Forensic Dentistry
Posted by: Admin

Aside from our many strategic alliances and accreditations, here are some more things to keep in mind before choosing a credentialing program, and why the American College of Forensic Examiners Institute and its sister associations are a good choice to make:

  • A diploma mill is a company that offers fake “degrees” or certificates and requires little or no academic study. There are many of them out there; be careful. Our associations are professional membership associations, and we do not misrepresent our credentials as academic degree as some others might.
  • For those credentials requiring a master’s degree or doctorate, we require proof of the degree from an accredited educational institution.
  • Applicants whose degrees are obtained outside the U.S. are required to have their degrees validated as being equivalent to an accredited U.S. institution.
  • Most of our credentials require online coursework, written by experts in their field, and successful completion of an examination on the material covered.
  • Our associations’ members include well-recognized authorities in their fields, such as Dr. Cyril Wecht, Dr. Henry Lee, Bill O’Hanlon, and many, many more.
  • We publish several highly respected, peer-reviewed journals for the educational benefit of our members.


For more information about credentials, the associations, or our journals, please visit us:

The American College of Forensic Examiners Institute: www.acfei.com
The American Psychotherapy Association: www.americanpsychotherapy.com
The American Association of Integrative Medicine: www.aaimedicine.com
The American Board for Certification in Homeland Security: www.abchs.com

Published by Dr. Robert O'Block
Tags: credentials, forensics, homeland security, ACFEI, psychotherapy, integrative medicine, Robert O'Block
Jan 26, 2011
Category: Forensic Dentistry
Posted by: Admin

Membership. Some of The American College of Forensic Examiners’ well-known members and Board members include; Dr. Henry Lee, Dr. Greg Vecchi, Dr. Zhaoming Chen, Dr. Marc Rabinoff, Congressmen Billy Long and Steven King, and Governor Tom Ridge. These individuals, as well as many other not listed here, have helped mold and guide ACFEI to be the prestigious, online, interactive, multimedia publisher that it is today. They have contributed their knowledge and expertise to ACFEI’s online credentialing programs such as the Certified Forensic Physician®, CFP program; the Registered Investigator®, RI®, program; and the Certified Forensic Consultant, CFC® program; to name a few.

 

ACFEI and all of its associations are continually seeking further validations, alliances, and accreditations in order to offer maximum continuing education benefits to its thousands of members. Sometimes it is our very members who foster these relationships; we encourage you to get involved and share your ideas for future alliances! This is a group of associations that recognize themselves as yours. We invite you to add your expertise to the pool and make it even greater.

 

Call (800) 423-9737 for more information, or visit acfei.com.
Published by Dr. Robert O'Block
Tags: American college of Forensic Examiners Institute, American College of Forensic Examiners International, Robert O'Block, forensics, membership association
Jan 20, 2011
Category: Forensic Dentistry
Posted by: Admin

ACFEI is also an approved provider of training by the following professional organizations:

 

  • G.I. Bill Benefits: ACFEI’s Ethics course; Law course; Evidence course; Certified Medical Investigator®; Certified Forensic Accountant, Cr.FA®; Certified in Disaster Preparedness, CDP-ISM, and the Certified in Homeland Security, CHS® Levels I–V courses are all approved for G.I. Bill benefits
  • American College of Forensic Examiners International/Certified in Homeland Security program is listed on the Central Contractor Registration list (CCR) and is registered as a federal contractor. DUNS Number: 808985642
  • The Florida Bar granted the 2010 National Conference 17 Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credits
  • Diplomate status with the American Board of Psychological Specialties (one of ACFEI’s 11 Advisory Boards) has been approved by the Florida Board of Psychology as a recognized credential for Florida Psychologists

 

The outside bodies listed above, as well as the many other  attest to the fact that the ACFEI has met or exceeded their regulations and standards to be approved providers of training. Organizations that represent medical doctors, accountants, psychologists, attorneys, law enforcement officers, dentists, military personnel, and numerous other professions and specialties would never approve an lesser, unregulated institution to provide training to these important persons.

Please contact either the American College of Forensic Examiners International, The American Board for Certifcation in Homeland Security, The American Association of Integrative Medicine, or the American Psychotherapy Association for more information about their respective programs, accrediting organizations, and educational opportunities:

 

www.acfei.com; (800) 423-9737
www.abchs.com; (877) 219-2519
www.aaimedicine.com; (877) 718-3053
www.americanpsycotherapy.com; (800) 205-9165

Published by Dr. Robert O'Block
Tags: American College of Forensic Examiners Institute, American Board for Certification in Homeland Security, American Psychotherapy Association, American Association for Integrative Medicine, forensics, Robert O'Block
Jan 13, 2011
Category: Forensic Dentistry
Posted by: Admin

As the editor in chief of The Forensic Examiner, Annals of the American Psychotherapy Association, and Inside Homeland Security (all peer-reviewed and available on newsstands); and for the associations themselves (The American College of Forensic Examiners International, The American Board for Certification in Homeland Security, the American Psychotherapy Association, and the American Association of Integrative Medicine), I have the privilege of working not only with individuals with remarkable talent, credentials, experience, and professionalism here at the ACFEI Headquarters, but also with the thousands of members who renew their memberships year after year to learn, network, and even teach one another.

I am proud to work with the courses and articles conceived and written by dedicated professionals who have made it their living to help heal, defend, serve, protect, and save their fellow citizens from terrorism, criminals, mental illness, disease, and so many other world problems and pandemics. I have reviewed dozens of resumes and curriculum vitae for my peer reviewers and course authors. Their degrees, credentials, and experience speak for themselves of the excellence embraced and exuded by the associations.

 

Under the umbrella of the American College of Forensic Examiners International, I have reviewed and edited articles that discuss cutting-edge research written with government agents I interviewed in person at Quantico; I have met forensic legends Dr. Cyril Wecht and Dr. Henry Lee (both long-time ACFEI members); and I get to see to completion the modules and coursework that are born of the passion of many prominent individuals from an array of important fields. I know for a fact that the continuing education curricula individuals like these and others help create are forged from impeccable research, training, and consultation. These people are far too intelligent, prestigious, and philanthropic to waste their time with lesser organizations; Dr. Robert O’Block’s ACFEI stands only for legitimacy and professionalism.

 

What is it that draws so many—nurses, physicians, soldiers, investigators, government employees, psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, and a sheer multitude of other honorable professions—into the American College of Forensic Examiners Institute fold? Decide for yourself, as thousands wisely did before you:

 

www.acfei.com

www.abchs.com

www.americanpsychotherapy.com

www.aaimedicine.com

Published by Dr. Robert O'Block
Tags: forensics, forensic examiners, homeland security, integrative medicine, psychotherapy, forensic magazine, homeland security magazine, Robert O'Block
Jan 7, 2011
Category: Forensic Dentistry
Posted by: Admin

The American College of Forensic Examiners Institute began in 1992; it is still here. Most membership associations rise and fall in less than a decade, but the passion of ACFEI’s founder, Dr. Robert O’Block, and the thousands of reputable people his associations help each year, has fueled continued growth since ACFEI’s inception nearly two decades ago.

 

As we continually improve our continuing education coursework, Web presence, and printed publications, that growth is bound to continue. The fields in which our members work, study, and fight—homeland security, all areas of forensics, integrative medicine, and psychotherapy—are not going anywhere anytime soon, and are dynamic and ever evolving. When you join the American Board for Certification in Homeland Security, the American Association for Integrative Medicine, the American Psychotherapy Association, or the tried-and-true American College of Forensic Examiners Institute, you will see that we rise above the competition in offering continuing education excellence. Dr. Robert O’Block has created a unique opportunity for you to meet like-minded professionals to network, learn, and teach one another and the world at large.

 

To learn more about each of these associations, please come see us:

 

The American College of Forensic Examiners: www.acfei.com
The American Board for Certification in Homeland Security: www.abchs.com
The American Association of Integrative Medicine: www.aaim.com
The American Psychotherapy Association: www.americanpsychotherapy.com

Published by Dr. Robert O'Block
Tags: Integrative medicine, homeland security, forensics, psychotherapy, continuing education, credentialing, Robert O'Block
Dec 17, 2010
Category: Forensic Dentistry
Posted by: Admin

The American College of Forensic Examiners International began in 1992; it is still here. Most membership associations rise and fall in less than a decade, but the passion of ACFEI’s founder, Dr. Robert O’Block, and the thousands of reputable people his associations help each year, has fueled continued growth since ACFEI’s inception nearly two decades ago.

 

As we continually improve our continuing education coursework, Web presence, and printed publications, that growth is bound to continue. The fields in which our members work, study, and fight are not going anywhere anytime soon, and are dynamic and ever evolving. When you join the American Board for Certification in Homeland Security, the American Association for Integrative Medicine, the American Psychotherapy Association, or the tried-and-true American College of Forensic Examiners Institute, you will see that we rise above the competition in offering continuing education excellence. Dr. Robert O’Block has created a unique opportunity for you to meet like-minded professionals to network, learn, and teach one another and the world at large.

 

To learn more, please visit www.acfei.com.

Published by Dr. Robert O'Block
Tags: ACFEI, accreditation, forensic dentists, Robert O'Block, forensics
Dec 10, 2010
Category: Forensic Dentistry
Posted by: Admin

What is it that draws so many—nurses, physicians, soldiers, investigators, government employees, psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, forensic dentists, and a sheer multitude of other honorable professions—into the American College of Forensic Examiners Institute fold? Let me share with you just a few of the numerous reasons so you can better decide for yourself, as thousands wisely did before you:

 

Accreditation. The American College of Forensic Examiners Institute is an approved provider of continuing education by the following:

 

  • American Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME)
  • National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA)
  • National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC)
  • California Board of Registered Nursing (CBRN)
  • American Psychological Association (APA)
  • California Board of Behavioral Sciences (CBBS)
  • Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)
  • American Dental Association (ADA CERP)

 

Continuing education alignments. In addition to the several accreditations above, we are also proud to inform you that:

 

  • ACFEI is a registered federal contractor and is listed on the Register of Approved Federal Contractors
  • The Missouri Sheriff's Association co-sponsors Police Officer Standards Training (POST) accreditation for the American College of Forensic Examiners Institute's activities
  • The American College of Forensic Examiners Institute is a member of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence (ICE), formerly known as the National Organization for Competency Assurance (NOCA)
  • The American College of Forensic Examiners Institute is a member of the National Certification Commission and the Alliance for Continuing Medical Education
  • The American College of Forensic Examiners Institute's Certified in Homeland Security, CHS® program is in the application process for the American National Standards Institute Personnel Certification.
  • ACFEI’s Ethics course; Law course; Evidence course; Certified Medical Investigator®; Certified Forensic Accountant, Cr.FA®; and the Certified in Homeland Security, CHS® Levels I–V courses are all approved for G.I. Bill benefits
  • American College of Forensic Examiners Institute/Certified in Homeland Security program is listed on the Central Contractor Registration list (CCR) and registered as a federal contractor. DUNS Number: 808985642

 

To learn more, visit www.acfei.com

Published by Dr. Robert O'Block
Tags: forensic dentistry, ACFEI, accreditation, American College of Forensic Examiners International, Dr. Robert O'Block
Jun 4, 2010
Category: General
Posted by: Laura
Police in northwest Indiana say the owner of a home rigged with more than a dozen propane and gasoline cannisters before exploding and catching fire sent a suicidal e-mail message before the blast.
Tags: Jonathan Krantz, Merrillville, Dr. Robert O'Block

Copyright ©2009 ABFD, ACFEI, and ABCHS. All rights reserved. Dr. Robert O'Block, Founder, CEO, and Publisher.
Managed by Management Executives, Inc. - Visit our other sites - Contact