10/30/07 (TX):
Texas Computer Experts Must Be Licensed
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The Private Security Board of The Texas Department of Public Safety issues licenses to experts practicing in computer investigations, and up until now, an expert's validation by the Board was not a pre-requisite to carrying out this line of work.
However, from January 1st 2008 all such practitioners must be licensed, and if they are not they will be committing a misdemeanor if they continue to work in this field, and further offending will ratchet up the crime in the level of seriousness.
This has potentially serious implications for the legal community throughout the State, as not only those who hire unlicensed investigators run the risk of having their data invalidated but those who retain them as expert witnesses may find that their proposed testimony is effectively worthless.
It is worth noting that any attorney who has hired or will hire the services of an expert within the State in this field must ensure that he / she is properly licensed by the Board.
Furthermore, the licence provisions appear to extend to experts dealing will all electronically stored information.
Experts and attorneys can visit the Board's website here for further details and contact information.
© X-Pro 2007
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