The easy access to and the anonymity of the Internet has given rise to new categories of criminal offenses. Sexual predators masquerade as children/teenagers in an attempt to lure unsuspecting individuals into dangerous encounters. Pedophiles use the World Wide Web to trade and share illegal images. Violent offenders may use the Internet to gather information on current or future victims; electronic stalking, if you will. Other criminals find the Internet a convenient and relatively risk-free place to harvest and exploit the identities of others.

In recognition of these and other dangerous realities, the Office of Justice Programs, National Institute of Justice has published a Special Report as a resource for law enforcement and corrections personnel to assist in the investigation of crimes involving the use of the Internet, networks and other devices that communicate through these electronic pathways. With more offenders having restricted computer usage as a term and condition of their release, this report can be a valuable tool for community corrections professionals to ensure their caseload is in compliance with prescribed prohibitions.

Related publications dealing with forensic examination of digital evidence and electronic crime scene investigation are also available.