A new computer forensics recovery organization, Berryhill Computer Forensics, has been formed here to provide law enforcement and the legal community with the ability to collect, preserve, analyze and present computer-related evidence in either criminal cases or civil disputes.
The new company offers computer evidence recovery, data recovery and media analysis. In addition, the firm's background and training also make available the reconstruction of damaged and/or deleted computer data.
Jon Berryhill, one of the two principals in Berryhill Computer Forensics, is a Special Agent with the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI). Formerly full time with AFOSI he continues his work with them as a member of the Air Force Reserve and is also a member of the High Technology Crime Investigation Association (HTCIA).
His wife, Katie, is the other principal of the new company, and has more than 10 years' experience in software and data recovery. Additionally, she has a thorough knowledge of the Apple Macintosh platform and in Macintosh hardware and software.
"I worked with Jon Berryhill on a civilian criminal case while he was still with the Air Force," said Attorney Anne Marie Schubert, "and I found his knowledge and experience extremely helpful in obtaining a conviction in a matter involving child molestation. Valuable evidence of criminal activity was stored on the defendant's computer. Using his training in computer forensics, Jon was able to obtain the required evidence, including evidence which gave probable cause for an additional search warrant. Then he provided credible expert testimony which helped lead to a guilty verdict."
"Since our company is new, we are happy to provide initial telephone consultations at no charge," Berryhill said. "This is a new field, and we understand law enforcement officers and attorneys need to feel comfortable about the issue of computer data retrieval, especially when it involves evidence."
"We have established free initial consultations because we want to make it easy for people seeking help," he commented, "and because if a computer and its contents are even briefly examined by anyone untrained in computer forensics, evidence can be tainted. From then on the material can and should be questioned in court."
Berryhill brings to his new company years of experience with a variety of criminal cases, including fraud and theft. He is part of a select worldwide group of specially trained forensics experts in the field of computer crime investigation.
Berryhill Computer Forensics is a new response to increasing high-tech crime where computers are targeted for destruction of stored data, are used as tools to facilitate crimes, or are used to store information which can be evidence.