An introduction to cryptocurrency and its use in criminality: key skills for investigators and analysts, 11 December 2024

 

• Workshop that is aimed at providing investigators and analysts with a working knowledge of cryptocurrency and its role in criminality.

 

• It will help develop key skills and knowledge needed for investigators to be able to recognise and manage cryptocurrency in an investigation in an ethically and legally sound manner.

 

• It is also aimed at new to role digital investigators and more established digital investigators who want to refresh their current knowledge.

 

• It was look at the history of cryptocurrency, how it is bought and sold, the most common types of cryptocurrency that investigators are likely to come across and a look at how criminals use cryptocurrency in their crimes in order to conceal their criminal activity.

 

• We’ll look at what is what is meant by the terms crypto wallet, public and private keys, seed words/phrases, cryptocurrency mining, the blockchain, hashing and clustering.

 

• We’ll also look at how to seize, retain and manage cryptocurrency, how to trace an owner and their wider criminal networks and include your findings as evidence in your investigation in a legal and ethical manner.

 

• There will also be a look at the most common software that can help in your investigations as well as advice on seeking expert help both within and outside of your organisation to ensure your methods and activity is ethically sound.

 

• Held online via Teams

 

• Certificates of CPD available

 

AGENDA - GMT

9.20am-9.30am: Welcome and introduction, Carol Jenkins, The Investigator; introduction to Anthony Seamarks

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9.30am-10.20am: Session One: Introduction to cryptocurrency. A look at the main types of cryptocurrency and the most common cryptocurrencies that investigators will come across. How is cryptocurrency bought and sold? How is it used in criminal activity? Which types of crimes is it used in?

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10.20am-10.30am:Questions

10.30am-11am: Break

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11am-11.50am: Session Two:Detecting/recognising cryptocurrency at the crime scene: Best practice and guidance around how to detect cryptocurrency at the crime scene and key indicators. A look at how this should be considered within in the context of the digital strategy and the overall investigation.

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11.50am-Noon:Questions

Noon-12.30pm: Break

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12.30pm-1.20pm: Session Three:Seizure and Storage: best practice around seizure and storage. Advice on experts to contact in your force/organisation for advice. A look at the important role of outside specialist companies in the seizure and storage process and how to effectively work with them. A consideration of Data Protection Act issues.

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1.20pm-1.30pm: Break

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1.30pm-2.20pm Session Four: Tracing transactions: Best practice around how to ‘follow the money’ and identify owners. A look at the term ‘clustering’ and how to identify wider criminal networks and contacts. A consideration of how commercial software can assist your investigations.

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2.20pm-2.30pm: Recap on the day/questions

2.30pm: Workshop finishes

 

About our trainer

Anthony Seamarks is an experienced digital media investigatorand cyber-crime investigator who has worked for Bedfordshire Police before taking up a new challenge in industry as a cyber security incident response manager.

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During his policing career as an operational digital and cyber investigator, Anthony was involved in a number of challenging investigations where cryptocurrency was used in criminal activity and was recovered, seized, stored and then used as evidence in complex investigations. 

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As a result, he has built-up considerable operational knowledge and expertise around the key issues and considerations including all the legal and evidential requirements relating to cryptocurrency.

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Anthony is recognised by the Blockchain Council as a certified cryptocurrency expert, a certified blockchain expert and a certified auditor. He is also a certified ethical hacker.

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HOW TO BOOK

Cost: £205.75+ VAT (GBP) per delegate (LEA and Government Agency rate).  £305.75 + VAT (Industry rate). 

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Group bookings: We offer various discounts for group bookings depending on numbers, please contact us for details.

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Booking: Please send the delegates name(s), email address(es) and purchase order (made out to The Investigator) to booking@the-investigator.co.uk or telephone +44(0)844 660 8707 for further information. 

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Payment can be made by PayPal/debit/credit card (corporate card fees apply + 3%). ​The meeting link will be sent out 7 days before the event.