Short Course in Commercial Forensic Information Technology

The short course aims to equip participants with fundamental knowledge and skills in commercial forensic information technology to effectively participate in preventing and combating commercial crime and related irregularities.

Purpose of the course

The course will enable participants to function effectively within the commercial forensic environment, with specific reference to commercial forensic information technology application.

Admission requirements

The successful completion of a senior certificate (grade 12) plus two years of relevant experience or a tertiary qualification relevant to commercial forensic practice.

Learning assumed to be in place

The ability to study and communicate in English on an acceptable academic level as well as basic skills to independently navigate in an e-learning learning environment.

Course outcomes and assessment criteria

Course outcomes and the associated assessment criteria

On completion of the CED offering, the student should be able to demonstrate:

Outcomes	Assessment Criteria
On completion of the CED offering, the student should be able to demonstrate:	The student will reach the CED Offering outcomes if he/she is able to:
detailed knowledge of commercial forensic information technology;	apply a detailed knowledge base of key terms, principles, and theories in the field of commercial forensic information technology through the use of it in arguments and debates in written (assignments or case studies) and/or oral format having regard for the fundamentals of forensic technology, including computer forensics, digital evidence, evidence gathering, forensic data analytics and other applicable types of forensic technology;
a detailed knowledge of the fundamentals of forensic technology;	show insight and explain detailed knowledge into the understanding of general IT concepts that a forensic practitioner might encounter, i.e. hardware, software, storage devices, networks, servers etc.;
a detailed knowledge of information technology concepts and data privacy;	apply detailed knowledge of South African law pertaining to commercial forensic information technology, including the right to data privacy and the admissibility of digital evidence;
a detailed knowledge of digital evidence with specific reference to the identification, collection and preservation, processing, review, analyses, production, presentation, and the discovery management thereof within the ambit of commercial forensic investigations;	apply detailed knowledge of digital evidence investigations, which include electronic discovery management, evidence identification, evidence preservation and collection, evidence processing, review, production, and preservation;
a detailed knowledge of the use of data analytics employed in commercial forensic investigations; and	show insight into other areas relevant to forensic technology, including cybercrime, network forensics, mobile device forensics, anti-forensics etc.; and
a detailed knowledge of specific areas relevant to commercial forensic investigations, including cybercrime, network forensics, mobile device forensics, anti-forensics and forensic technology certifications.	identify and apply basic research methods and technologies appropriate to the field of commercial forensic accounting by identifying, gathering, organising, critically analysing, evaluating, interpreting relevant information and writing up the findings in assignments.

Assessment

Formative assessment: two written assignments and/or case studies.
Summative assessment: one 3-hour, 100-mark examination

Method of assessment

Participants must submit two written assignments and/or case studies (formative assessment) and complete a three-hour examination (summative assessment). The elements stated in the learning outcomes and assessment criteria will form the basis of the assessments.