Which of the following tasks may require the expertise of a computer forensics investigator in a legal context?

A computer forensics investigator plays a critical role in a legal context, particularly during criminal investigations. Their expertise is essential in the collection, preservation, analysis, and presentation of digital evidence that can impact the outcome of a legal case. This task involves employing specialized techniques to retrieve data from devices such as computers, smartphones, and servers, which may contain crucial evidence related to criminal activities like fraud, piracy, cyberbullying, or more serious offenses.

In a criminal investigation, a forensic investigator ensures that digital evidence is handled correctly to maintain its integrity, following legal protocols and standards. This effort is vital for ensuring the evidence is admissible in court and supports the case being prosecuted or defended. Their analysis may uncover patterns of behavior, confirm timelines, or link suspects to crimes through digital footprints.

In contrast, other tasks such as defending a client in court, creating a security policy, or developing a new software application do not inherently require the specialized skills of a computer forensics investigator. These tasks may involve different types of expertise, such as legal advocacy, policy development, or software engineering, which focus on areas outside the intricacies of digital evidence investigation.