Ethics and Professional Conduct

Ethics is concerned with the norms of human conduct and follows the same rigors of logical reasoning similar to that of digital forensic science. While some might view ethics as being prescriptive and prohibitive, they have been created to provide professions with reasonable guidance for acting in good faith. Although ethics are not law, conduct outside of these guidelines can lead to harm, liabilities, damages, or other consequences. Principles of ethical reasoning are an appropriate means of sorting out the good from the bad. Typically, ethics are created as broad and vague guidelines that do not outline every prohibited act to prescribe what proper behavior is. Abiding to a set of consistent professional ethics and code of conduct relating to digital forensics helps to define the moral principles that provide guidance to avoid potential misconduct. Ethical values and principles are a useful way for sorting out what is considered good and bad behavior and conduct.