Development of masters modules in computer forensics and cybercrime for computer science and forensic science students

In mid-2004, it was decided that the list of optional modules available to students taking the MSc programme in Computing, Internet Law and Management at King's College London (KCL) should be supplemented with a module in computer forensics (CF) and cybercrime. It was proposed that this module should be delivered as a reading course to be assessed by means of a dissertation and a linked viva voce examination. We trace the evolution of this module over the three academic years from 2005/2006 to 2007/2008 inclusive and discuss the range of dissertation topics selected by the students. The results and the evidence from anonymous student feedback surveys are analysed quantitatively and are compared with those from a longer established module on forensic computing and CF which forms an integral part of the interdisciplinary MSc in Forensic Science at KCL. We conclude with a critical assessment of the success of both modules.