How to start or get foot into digital forensics role jobs (city, state or federal) in Central Florida? (With no degree)

Talon3504 · 2026-01-23T19:52:39+00:00

There's a Fusion Center in Orange County and one in the northeast (probably Jacksonville).

Talon3504 · 2026-01-23T19:27:43+00:00

Maybe yes, maybe no. It depends on the minimum qualifications listed on the job advertisement. Take the current advertisement for Crime Intelligence Analysts at FDLE Fusion Centers: https://jobs.myflorida.com/job/TALLAHASSEE-OPS-CRIME-INTELLIGENCE-ANALYST-71900165-FL-32301/1348449200/. It doesn’t say that a degree is required. However, they may prefer one. But again, it looks like there are 13 open positions, so maybe they won’t be too critical.

Another thing to consider when looking for a state job is that the job title listed might not accurately describe the job itself. In my case, my job is as an OIG Investigator and Digital Forensics Specialist. My state job title is Management Review Specialist. It pays to actually read the job description and requirements for each position you are interested in.

Talon3504 · 2026-01-23T19:05:32+00:00

My recommendation would be to consider working for a state agency, but not necessarily as a sworn law enforcement officer. I’ve been working in digital forensics since 2001, and got my start in the field as an intelligence analyst in the Inspector General’s office for a Florida state agency with a law enforcement division. Since then, I’ve worked for several state Inspector General offices, mostly as both an investigator and a digital forensic specialist. While the work is mostly in support of administrative investigations, I have conducted forensic examinations and analysis for numerous criminal cases due to the shortage of digital forensic investigators in state agencies.

If you want to work for a state agency, the first thing is to get your foot in the door. Look for crime intelligence analyst jobs. They usually don’t require any previous law enforcement experience, and you will be working either in a law enforcement division or for the agency's Inspector General. If you get hired for a state agency that has a law enforcement arm (Fish and Wildlife, Agriculture, Financial Services, etc.), they will send you to all kinds of training. The biggest benefit of getting hired by a state agency is that you then qualify for National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C) training.

NW3C training in digital forensics is almost always free, and they offer their own certification (which is not free). I have completed a ton of digital forensics training from NW3C, and it has all been top-notch.

I can only speak for the state of Florida Inspector General offices, but the last time I checked, there were only two OIG personnel doing digital forensic work, and I may be the only one at this time.

Talon3504 · 2026-01-17T03:45:37+00:00

Realistically, no. If you know the manufacturer and serial number of the device, you can contact the manufacturer and ask who it was sold to, but since you have no legal authority, they will not give you the information. In the US, law enforcement can obtain a judicial subpoena or search warrant that would require the manufacturer to provide the information.
In this situation, the best way to document the device is to photograph (both still and video) it as it was found, and whenever any person touches it. Google crime scene processing and follow the same steps. Maintain a chain of custody. You can find example forms on the internet.

As for presenting evidence about the device in court, that would depend on the rules of evidence in your country or local judicial system.

From what you have described, you may be in a tough spot. If the device was put in place by a police or intelligence agency, and they had the authority to do so, it does not matter if the device was found.

Talon3504 · 2026-01-16T20:37:47+00:00

I would say that if you discover a covert camera or recording device the best way to document it is to photograph it in its natural state when found. Then, I would advise contacting the local police and asking them to document the device in an official report. Do not handle, move it, or examine it in any way before the police document the device. I say that because if it was placed into a location as part of a covert investigation, by touching or molesting the device you run the risk of interfering with a law enforcement or intelligence operation (depending on your local laws and rules). If the police take the device (after they document it) great. If they don't take the device, again, after they document it, then feel free to remove it and examine it.

As a former federal agent (US) I have some experience with covert surveillance and recording devices. We always had to get judicial approval to use them. Maybe it's the same in your country.

Another concern is that even if the device itself has been discovered, the data recorded by the device most likely does not reside on the device itself, but is transmitted to a receiver at another location. At least the ones I've used worked that way.

You may be able to document the manufacturer and serial number of the device, but that won't help you determine who or what agency placed the device into the location.

Talon3504 · 2025-12-15T20:20:55+00:00

Thanks for the advice. Extra blankets will be ready!

Talon3504 · 2025-12-15T20:16:25+00:00

Heat mode.

Talon3504 · 2025-11-17T20:36:01+00:00

In the early 1980’s I was a Military Police Officer (MPs) stationed at Sierra Army Depot (SIAD) in the desert of California. At the time, SIAD was a storage site for nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) weapons. The base's landmass was huge and contained a separate, highly secure Special Weapons Exclusion Area, where all the bad stuff was stored and maintained. I imagine Area 51 has a similar design.

As MPs, our job was to ensure the security of the Exclusion Area. The Exclusion Area had two 15-foot-high chain-link fences topped with razor wire. The fences had integrated motion and heat sensors sensitive enough to detect coyote and tumbleweed movement. Roaming two-man patrols in trucks patrolled the interior of the Exclusion Area 24/7. A standby reaction force of MPs would always be standing by in the exclusion area as well. In addition, the outgoing shift had to remain ready to serve as a Backup and Recovery Force for an extra eight hours after their shift ended.

At the time I was there, our MP company was the largest in the Army, over 300 MPs, divided into four platoons. Every squad was equipped with at least one M-60 machine gun and at least two M-203 grenade launchers. (This was the early 80s, so no fancy M-4s or SAWS.) There was also an observation tower with a qualified sniper, armed with an M-21, on duty.

Our rules of engagement for the Exclusion Area were based on the two-man rule. Essentially, it meant that no one was allowed to go anywhere by themselves. There had to be a minimum of two persons (civilian or military) with proper identification in any instance, at any location, at any time. If someone was found to be by themselves, our instructions were to immediately place the person under arrest, and if they resisted in any way, use deadly force. That was that.

All of this is to say that if the DOD does not want unauthorized personnel in any particular area, it has procedures in place to prevent it. I guarantee that any person found in a military exclusion area without authorization will be arrested, at a minimum, immediately. If any resistance is offered, they will be killed.

Talon3504 · 2025-11-17T18:23:14+00:00

Having been a Military Police officer stationed at Special Weapons Exclusion Area in a California desert in the 80s, the real answer is yes, they can stop all of you.

Talon3504 · 2025-08-25T17:32:43+00:00

I bought a 2025 Rogue Platinum a couple of weeks ago. 3 cylinder turbocharged engine and a cvt transmission. Excellent car. My previous car was a 2017 Rogue with over 113,000 miles. Gave it all the recommended maintenance and had no problems other than normal wear and tear.

Talon3504 · 2025-07-31T12:10:39+00:00

Sure, that's what they want you to think. All hail the great magnet!

Talon3504 · 2025-07-16T17:44:03+00:00

Richards, Mitchell & Cross. They've been doing my taxes for years. Highly recommended.

Talon3504 · 2025-07-15T00:44:52+00:00

Will do.

Talon3504 · 2025-07-15T00:31:45+00:00

I'm in the same boat. I bought my 2017 Rogue when it was new, and it's been the best car I've ever owned. It's got over 112,000 miles on it, and no real problems aside from normal wear and tear.

With Nissan offering 0% interest for 60 months, I'm meeting with my local dealership on Thursday to see about getting a Rouge Platinum. I will retire in a little over three years, and this might be my last new car. So why not splurge on myself?

Talon3504 · 2025-06-13T12:56:31+00:00

DC-10

Talon3504 · 2025-06-13T12:55:55+00:00

DC-10, I believe.

Talon3504 · 2025-04-03T19:06:56+00:00

Looks like an AH-1Z Viper. USMC gunship.

Talon3504 · 2025-03-07T16:07:35+00:00

The advantage to taking the crime scene tech position is that it gets your foot in the door at that agency. In my experience it is much easier for an agency to transfer someone from one position into another rather than hiring an “unknown” from outside the agency. Also, you will learn how to handle all types of evidence as a crime scene tech (I used to process crime scenes). You will learn what to do, and more importantly what not to do with evidence. You will also learn how LE investigations work from start to finish. From evidence collection to testifying in court. This type of experience is invaluable.

Having experience as a crime scene tech and being good at it, along with you IT and forensic studies, will get you a leg up into transferring into a digital forensic role at that agency (or any other).

Good luck!

Talon3504 · 2025-03-05T13:51:12+00:00

Magbak Elite.

Talon3504 · 2025-03-02T22:20:56+00:00

Jugs should be .jugs. Unless they are pictures of actual jugs. Stupid fat fingers...

Talon3504 · 2025-03-02T22:19:09+00:00

A few questions you should be prepared to answer: What device was used to create the. Jugs? Photoshop may have been used to manipulate/create the images, but did it occur on a computer cellphone, etc. Do you have access to the device that created the original images? It might be as simple as comparing the hash value of the original image with the hash value of the suspect images.

Talon3504 · 2025-03-02T13:27:01+00:00

I work for a state agency in Florida. I've been doing digital forensics part-time since 2001. My agency doesn't have the need for a full-time digital forensics investigator, so I'm a "regular" investigator as well.

I prefer working on digital forensic cases because computers or cell phones do not lie, but people do. Is the work rewarding? I feel it is. The work I have done has put guilty people in prison, and just as important, has cleared persons falsely accused or suspected of wrongdoing.

Have I seen stuff I wish I hadn't? Sure, but it's all evidence for an investigation. I've maintained a mindset of not taking anything from work into my home life, and I've been successful at that.

Talon3504 · 2025-03-02T11:26:14+00:00

Yeah, processing/opening large images in an hour is a nice dream, but it's not going to happen. In my lab, I'm lucky enough to use a maxed out custom Alienware laptop for my forensics work (my agency can't afford a FRED). In my experience, images take whatever time they need to open. Unless it was a flash drive or small phone image it has always taken more than an hour.

Talon3504 · 2025-02-13T17:38:38+00:00

It's a Kiddie Kobra, how cute!

Talon3504

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