'Murder,' She Googled Linda Rosencrance, Computerworld via PC World. (Mar 17)
"Google search history is evidence in trial of New Jersey woman accused of murdering her husband."
Examples given in this trial show some good search techniques.
"Melanie McGuire, 33, also did searches on Google and MSN for "undetectable poisons," "fatal digoxin levels," "instant poisons," "toxic insulin levels," "how to purchase guns illegally," how to find chloroform," "fatal insulin doses," "poisoning deaths," "where to purchase guns illegally," "gun laws in PA," "how to purchase guns in PA," and "where to purchase guns without a permit," according to Seymour's court testimony. The testimony can be viewed in this video clip from Court TV."
"how to" is a excellent stock-term phrase to use, and there are many good work combinations - "toxic insulin levels", "instant poisons".
The searches could be improved by using the state name - Pennsylvannia, searching the state site, and using other terms for guns. Eg - site:state.pa.us intitle:firearms
As to privacy, McGuire's activities were found out through the examination of the hard drive - and not from any logs provided by Google or MSN.
More about the use of the computer files in this article - Murder trial logs into files on computer, Home News Tribune Online (Mar 14)
"[Jennifer] Seymour explained to the jury how digital investigators can trace activity on a computer, including information the user has deleted, and information that identifies topics which have been searched.She testified that she isolated searches conducted in the weeks leading up to the murder, and found the activity on inquiring about poisons, gun laws and ways to commit murder and suicide."
The lesson: make sure you use a very good computer file shredder if you really don't want to leave a trail.
Posted by Gwen at March 18, 2007 12:46 PM