1. Why the Clarus Project is needed

Introducing Digital Detectives

Throughout this course, we will follow a fictional investigation through our Digital Detectives: Murders in Clarusia comic.

The comic brings some of the issues explored by the Clarus project to life, showing how digital evidence moves through an investigation and how different professionals communicate and work together along the way.

Before we begin the investigation itself, read pages 3–5, which introduce the Clarus project and some of the people and processes involved in working with digital evidence.

As you read, think about:

• How many different people or professional roles can you identify?
• Where does communication need to take place between them?
• Why might clear communication be particularly important when working with digital evidence?

You don't need to know the answers yet. As you progress through the course, we will return to the Digital Detectives story and look more closely at what happens when digital evidence moves between people, teams and organisations.

 

Digital evidence is:

• Technically complex
• Often high in volume
• Interpreted by different professional groups
• Used across different legal systems

Challenges can arise when:

• Terminology is used inconsistently
• Concepts mean different things in different jurisdictions
• Technical findings are translated into legal arguments

Clarus addresses these challenges by studying how digital evidence is described, interpreted, and communicated.

Clarus research explores:

• How digital forensic terminology is used across Europe
• Where misunderstandings or inconsistencies occur
• How bias can influence interpretation of digital evidence
• How communication between professional groups can be improved

The research brings together experts from digital forensics, law, criminology, and related disciplines.

It also engages with wider stakeholders to understand real-world challenges.