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A computer forensic expert report is a specialized technical document prepared by an expert in digital forensics. Its purpose is to analyze, assess, and explain facts that require advanced technological knowledge, providing clarity in judicial or extrajudicial proceedings.
According to Article 335.1 of the Spanish Civil Procedure Act (Ley de Enjuiciamiento Civil), the parties may submit expert opinions or request the appointment of a court-designated expert when technical knowledge is needed to assess relevant facts in the case.
In the field of Computer Engineering, a forensic IT expert report focuses on the collection, analysis, and preservation of digital evidence that may be used as proof in judicial processes or private disputes.
A computer forensic expert report can be requested by a judicial authority as part of a legal proceeding; for example, when the judge needs to assess facts that require technical expertise in information technology or digital forensics.
Within a judicial process, the parties involved in the dispute may also request the submission of a forensic IT expert report to support their claims.
Additionally, there are private forensic expert reports, which can be commissioned by individuals or organizations to evaluate whether it is advisable to initiate legal proceedings.
Please contact us through our contact form. We will provide you with all the information you need and send you a detailed quote free of charge and without obligation.
You can consult our service catalog to discover our areas of expertise in computer forensic expert services and digital forensics. We also assess other types of cases related to digital evidence and provide guidance on their possible resolution.
Sometimes, our clients not only seek to demonstrate the existence of a criminal act through a computer forensic expert report, but also require data recovery services to retrieve lost or compromised information.
A computer forensic expert is a highly qualified professional specialized in Computer Engineering and legally recognized in both judicial and extrajudicial contexts.
Their main role is to provide computer forensic expert reports that deliver technical information and well-founded opinions on disputed facts, helping the court understand specialized matters beyond its technical knowledge in order to issue fair and reasoned judgments.
The work of a computer forensic expert involves conducting a computer forensic analysis through a series of stages aimed at securing, preserving, and analyzing digital evidence, ensuring its validity in judicial or extrajudicial proceedings. The main phases of the process are:
Securing the scene: Performing or requesting all necessary actions to prevent the digital evidence from being altered or compromised.
Identifying digital evidence: Detecting relevant devices and systems, and identifying which evidence should be collected for subsequent analysis.
Acquiring and preserving digital evidence: Capturing evidence using proper forensic techniques, while ensuring the chain of custody to maintain its admissibility in court.
Analyzing the preserved evidence: Applying scientific and analytical methods to determine, beyond reasonable doubt, whether certain actions occurred, based on objective findings.
Presenting the forensic report to the court: Drafting a clear and well-founded computer forensic expert report that is understandable for judges and legal professionals.
Testifying at trial: Appearing before the court to confirm the expert report and answer questions from the parties if required.
According to Article 340 of the Spanish Civil Procedure Act, a computer forensic expert must hold an official degree related to the subject matter of the expert report. The following university and vocational qualifications are considered valid:
Official Master's Degree in Computer Engineering.
Bachelor's Degree in Computer Engineering, in accordance with the Resolution of June 8, 2009 (published in BOE on August 4, 2009).
Degree in Computer Engineering.
Technical Engineering in Management Informatics or Technical Engineering in Systems Informatics, in accordance with Royal Decrees 1460/1990 and 1461/1990.
Licentiate Degree in Informatics.
Diploma in Informatics, recognized by Royal Decree 1954/1994.
Higher Vocational Training Certificate in Computer Science (Formación Profesional de Grado Superior), directly related to the subject of the report.
Equivalent foreign qualification, officially recognized by the competent authority, in accordance with European Union regulations.
If a computer forensic expert does not hold an official degree certifying their expertise, their computer forensic expert report may be deemed invalid for the favorable resolution of a legal dispute. It is crucial to consider this when hiring a party-appointed expert.
In the case of court-appointed experts, they must be designated by a judge or tribunal with the knowledge of the parties involved. If the expert has not been authorized by a competent authority, their report would lack the necessary legal validity.
Furthermore, when digital evidence is obtained from systems that do not comply with applicable regulations, its admissibility can be challenged during judicial proceedings.
To act legally before a court, a computer forensic expert must meet the following requirements:
Hold an official degree in computer science or engineering, issued by a public institution in the name of the King.
Have no criminal record.
In the case of higher education graduates, be registered with a professional association. If not accredited before the Court Clerk prior to testifying, the expert must present the original degree or a certified copy.
For registered professionals, the possession of an official degree has already been verified by their professional association.
Failure to meet these obligations may result in the expert report being rejected by the judge, harming the client’s interests and exposing the expert to civil and criminal liabilities, including prison sentences and substantial fines.
Moreover, acting without an official qualification constitutes a professional intrusion offense, punishable by up to 24 months of fines and up to 2 years of imprisonment. It is important to note that a university’s own master's degree (non-official) does not qualify as an official degree.
A professional without an official degree may act as a "technical expert" in court, but not as a recognized computer forensic expert.
There is a growing number of computer forensic expert reports being dismissed in legal proceedings because they are not signed by legally qualified computer forensic experts. This disqualification is often due to the lack of an official degree in computer science.
If the hired professional does not meet the legal requirements, there is a significant risk that the computer forensic expert report will not be accepted by the court, potentially causing serious harm to the case.
Therefore, we recommend requiring the computer forensic expert to prove their qualifications prior to engagement and to ensure that they are not subject to any grounds for disqualification or challenge.
Not every IT professional can serve effectively as a good computer forensic expert, as this role requires specific skills and aptitudes. Some of the key abilities a computer forensic expert must possess are:
Mastery of the technique for drafting a computer forensic expert report.
Confidence in public speaking to perform effectively before the court.
Strong skills for testifying in oral hearings.
Possession of legal knowledge beyond the purely technical aspects of their profession.
A computer forensic expert in court does not need to master procedural law like an attorney but must act convincingly and clearly, always seeking the material truth rather than defending particular interests.
A party-appointed expert is selected by you, while a court-appointed expert is assigned by the court.
The advantages of hiring a party-appointed expert include:
You can select the most suitable professional (based on education and experience) for your specific needs. If the court assigns an expert, there is a risk that their qualifications or technical resources may not be ideal for your case.
You can negotiate and agree on the professional fees in advance, avoiding unexpected costs. With a court-appointed expert, you must accept the requested advance payment, and you may not have the freedom to assign another expert if you disagree.
Your lawyer can provide input and oversight on the expert report before it is finalized. Court-appointed experts are less likely to accept external input.
You can better monitor the report delivery timelines and know the status of the report’s development. With a court-appointed expert, it is harder to track progress.
At FORENSICTECH, all our experts are also court-authorized forensic experts, thus combining the advantages of both options.
A party-appointed computer forensic expert, in addition to performing the usual tasks of any expert, carries out the following specific functions:
Advising the client before filing the claim, by analyzing the chances of success of the case.
Supporting the preparation of the technical allegations in the initial claim and reviewing the defendant's response to identify rebuttal points.
Recommending the strongest evidence from a technical and strategic perspective.
Assisting the attorney in preparing the trial and practicing the evidence, especially during the cross-examination of other experts.
Helping to assess a possible appeal by analyzing the technical reasoning underlying the judgment.
Hiring registered computer forensic experts provides a series of legal guarantees that non-registered professionals may not offer:
Being registered certifies that the expert is properly qualified, reducing the risk that the expert report is invalidated due to lack of accreditation.
Registered computer forensic experts are bound by professional ethics codes, ensuring ethical conduct and minimum service quality.
They are covered by professional liability insurance against damages arising from their activities.
They are subject to the disciplinary control of their professional association, which can mediate in conflicts or handle complaints.
You can request the registration of the contracted works with their professional association, which acts as a guarantor and custodian.
You can request the official certification (visado) of the works, certifying compliance with regulations and the professional qualification of the expert.
By law, registered computer forensic experts, in compliance with the applicable professional ethics code, are required to act according to the following principles:
Independence in the exercise of their professional activity.
Dignity, acting ethically, responsibly, and respectfully towards the profession.
Integrity, being honest, loyal, truthful, and diligent in their duties.
Concern for public welfare, prioritizing safety and the public interest.
Professional secrecy, maintaining confidentiality over all obtained information, even after ending the professional relationship.
Client interest protection, as long as it does not conflict with public interest or the law.
Respect for human rights and equal treatment of all individuals.
Responsibility, accepting accountability for their work and errors transparently.
Fellowship, maintaining respect and cooperation with other professionals.
Professional prestige, promoting the good image of computer engineering and expert practice.
Social function, contributing to the development of the information society.
Defense of the law, complying with and promoting legal standards.
Prudence in the application of techniques, selecting solutions best suited to the client's needs and budget.
Technical neutrality, avoiding imposing unnecessary or inappropriate technologies.
Scientific and technical solidity in the basis of their actions.
The most effective way to verify whether a computer forensic expert is registered is to check their name in the professional directory of the relevant official college in their Autonomous Community.
Hossaín Mimón, our registered principal computer forensic expert, is listed in the COETIIB (Official College of Technical Engineers in Computer Science of the Balearic Islands) and the CPITIA (Professional College of Technical Engineers in Computer Science of Andalusia).
The Official Professional College of Technical Engineers in Computer Science of each Autonomous Community oversees the quality of services provided by registered computer forensic experts and protects the rights of users and consumers.
An official professional college serves as a guarantee of quality and accountability and is the first authority to approach in case of disputes or complaints.
In a world where computer forensic expert reports are increasingly critical to resolving all types of judicial proceedings, do not take unnecessary risks: hire only officially registered professionals.
All our computer forensic experts are officially registered and legally qualified to act before courts throughout Spain.
The official certification (visado) of a computer forensic expert report is the basic instrument for the regulation of the profession of Technical Engineer in Computer Science. Through this certification, compliance with the general and specific regulations applicable to computer forensic expert reports is verified, whether administrative or technical.
The main purpose of the official certification (visado) is to ensure that the registered computer forensic expert practices in accordance with minimum quality and safety standards, for the benefit of users, professionals, and society as a whole.
It is a public-interest function supervised by an official professional college created by law.
A legally valid official certification (visado) is always issued by an official professional college created by law.
Exercise extreme caution with certifications issued by associations or other unofficial entities, as they have no legal validity in judicial proceedings.
The official certification (visado) of a computer forensic expert report guarantees the identity, official degree, and legal qualification of the computer forensic expert signing the report.
It also certifies the authentication, registration, formal correctness of document presentation, and compliance with the applicable regulations. However, the certification does not validate the technical content of the report, which remains the sole responsibility of the computer forensic expert who authored it.
Requesting the official certification (visado) adds greater rigor to the computer forensic expert report and strengthens its credibility before the courts of justice.
The official certification (visado) of a computer forensic expert report is not a mere administrative seal or another bureaucratic step. Its purpose is to provide service guarantees to the recipient and ensure a minimum quality standard in forensic reports.
The process of granting the official certification (visado) includes two clearly differentiated phases:
Administrative certification: The Official Professional College of Technical Engineers in Computer Science certifies the registered status of the computer forensic expert and their professional qualification.
Professional certification: Another registered computer forensic expert reviews and certifies the formal correctness of the report and compliance with the applicable regulations.
Only when both the administrative and professional phases are successfully completed, the official certification (visado) is granted.
Obtaining the official certification (visado) of a computer forensic expert report guarantees:
Recognition that the computer forensic expert is a registered Technical Engineer in Computer Science, legally qualified and not disqualified from professional practice.
The protection of the intellectual property of the work performed.
Reasonable protection against impersonation, certifying that the signature belongs to the true registered author of the report.
That the computer forensic expert report is formally complete, including the minimum required content and complying with the applicable regulations.
That the computer forensic expert has considered all applicable legal provisions during every phase of the report preparation.
The existence of a public law corporation (official professional college) that can mediate in the event of a dispute with the registered expert.
At FORENSICTECH we take care of all the necessary procedures to obtain the official certification (visado) for the computer forensic expert report we deliver to you, if you require it.
The cost of the official certification (visado) is regulated by the Official Professional College of Technical Engineers in Computer Science and usually ranges between 50 and 100 euros.
Yes, the computer forensic expert must be fully aware of and respect the fundamental rights of all parties during their professional activities.
In many cases, the expert's work may come into conflict with the fundamental rights of affected parties or third parties. This situation can not only create a moral and ethical dilemma for the professional but can also lead to the illegality of the digital evidence, its inadmissibility in court, and the possible civil and criminal liabilities for the expert.
At our professional office, we always provide a confidentiality agreement to the client at the beginning of the process. Through this document, we commit to using the received information exclusively for the preparation of the expert report.
The confidentiality agreement also ensures full compliance with the personal data protection regulations in force.
We safeguard all documentation with the highest level of care, from explicit crime-related images to the least significant commercial documents.
All the information received is securely stored and is only accessible by the expert in charge of the analysis and the principal expert of this professional office.
Yes, at FORENSICTECH we carry out computer forensic counter-expert reports on police reports. When reports are issued by law enforcement agencies (Civil Guard, National Police, Mossos d'Esquadra, Ertzaintza, Local Police, etc.), our computer forensic experts act with the same rigor as in any other case.
We thoroughly analyze all documentation, critically evaluating the methodology used, the assumptions made, and the conclusions reached in the police report.
If it is technically feasible to challenge and defend the findings in court, we prepare a fully justified contradictory expert report for submission with full legal guarantees.
In such cases, it is common for a confrontation hearing to take place in court with the police officers who authored the report. Our experts have the training and experience required to manage these situations with technical competence and full reliability.
Yes, as long as such suggestions or recommendations do not compromise the impartiality of the expert report.
It must be taken into account that the work of the computer forensic expert is subject to civil and criminal liability, and could result in significant financial penalties and even prison sentences if impartiality is compromised.
When you hire the services of FORENSICTECH, we become, together with your lawyer, an active part of your computer forensic process. It is essential that you provide us with all documentation related to the subject of the expert report.
For example, in a defense case involving a product with incidents, we would need to review the initial budget, the emails exchanged with the client, the product specifications sheet, the contract, and other relevant documents.
We also recommend that lawyers send us the statement of claim and the statement of defense to analyze the arguments of both sides and prepare a comprehensive computer forensic expert report.
In short, we need to review any document or opinion that may directly or indirectly affect the outcome of the expert report. As expert computer forensic examiners, we will determine what is relevant and discard what is superfluous, ensuring that there are no surprises during the oral trial. Trusting us is your best guarantee.
Once the computer forensic expert report is validated, we will send it to you electronically, digitally signed by the author, via a secure channel.
Please note that FORENSICTECH is an environmentally responsible company and operates as a Paperless Office. However, if you require printed copies, we will send you two copies at no additional cost to the address you provide.
You will normally receive the report within 24 hours. In urgent cases, we will use the fastest delivery service available to ensure you have the document when you need it.
Whether you are a lawyer or a direct client, once the computer forensic expert report is completed, we will send you a preliminary copy in the electronic format you request, so that you can review it before its final issuance.
Alternatively, we can provide you with a secure download link to access the document directly.
We will be happy to clarify, adjust, or expand any aspects you consider appropriate, provided that no changes compromise the impartiality of the report or introduce technical claims we cannot fully support.
When we analyze a case, we carefully review all documentation and assess all information provided by the client or their lawyer. We fully engage in each case, dedicating the necessary time to offer a technical and accurate assessment of the real possibilities for drafting a computer forensic expert report.
The provision of funds refers to the initial fee paid by the client for this preliminary analysis, and it will be deducted from the total cost of the computer forensic expert report.
The fees for drafting a computer forensic expert report are objectively calculated based on the following factors:
Amount and complexity of the documentation to be analyzed.
Technical processes required for the analysis.
Level of case complexity.
Profile of the expert(s) assigned.
Need for complementary procedures (such as laboratory tests).
Degree of urgency for delivering the report.
Based on these factors, we prepare a fixed price proposal according to the work to be performed and the estimated time involved. This proposal will be provided to you before commissioning the expert report, and there will be no subsequent deviations. We do not charge percentages or apply unusual formulas.
You can request a free quote from our contact form.
Yes. At FORENSICTECH, all preliminary consultations regarding the viability of a computer forensic expert report are completely free of charge.
Once all your questions have been answered and the technical feasibility has been assessed, we will send you a free, no-obligation quote.
Yes. Please note that a computer forensic expert report cannot guarantee the success of the litigation, as the outcome also depends on the strategy of the lawyers and the interpretation of the judge.
In any case, our computer forensic expert reports significantly increase the chances of success by providing a solid and accredited technical foundation to support your case.
Yes. At FORENSICTECH, we provide computer forensic expert services throughout Spain, as long as the assignment is communicated with sufficient notice.
We usually carry out one or two trips:
First trip: To acquire digital evidence. This step can be omitted if the client can securely send us the electronic evidence (for example, by mailing a mobile phone to authenticate WhatsApp messages).
Second trip: To ratify the computer forensic expert report at court. This step may also be omitted if the court provides telematic means for remote testimony.
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