DFRWS Online

About DFRWS

DFRWS is a non-profit, volunteer organization dedicated to the sharing of knowledge and ideas about digital forensics research. DFRWS organizes an annual conference and sponsors technical working groups and annual challenges to help drive the direction of research and development.

The first Digital Forensic Research Workshop was held in August 2001. The vision was to bring together researchers, industry, academics, law enforcement, and military with the goal of opening lines of communication that addressed three major objectives:

• Define the need and create the processes for the incorporation of a rigorous scientific method as a fundamental tenant of the evolving discipline of Digital Forensic Science
• Develop a research agenda that considers practitioner requirements, multiple investigative environments and emphasizes real world usability
• The discovery, explanation and presentation of conclusive, persuasive evidence that will meet the heightened scrutiny of the courts and other decision-makers in military and civilian environments

Since then, an annual conference has been held in various cities around the US to present and discuss research topics. The scope of DFRWS has increased to include annual challenges and technical working groups. In 2005, Digital Forensic Research Workshop, Inc. became a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Annual Conferences

A key element of the annual conference is its informality. It is a loose partnership where papers and relevant research are presented in a friendly atmosphere. Every gathering is replete with "breakout sessions," where various issues related to digital forensics are discussed.

Ultimately, it is the goal of DFRWS to establish a professional tone and direction for this young, but growing, field. It is notable that many works cite the framework documents resulting from the breakout discussions. The conference is not only a snapshot of the state of the research in the field, but is also a useful pointer towards the future.

Mission Statement

The inclusive, long-term mission for DFRWS includes:

1. Initiate a dynamic community of experts from academia and practice
2. Promote scholarly discussion related to digital forensic research and its application
3. Involve experienced analysts and examiners from law enforcement, military and civilian sectors
4. Define core technologies that form a focus for useful research and development
5. Establish and expand a common lexicon so the community speaks the same language
6. Engage in regular debate and collaborative activity to ensure a sharp focus, high interest, and efficacy