Private Investigator jobs in Stalybridge

Criminal Defence Digital Forensic Investigator

Salary: £31,000 £60,000 per annum DOE
Location: Onsite Manchester M24 1SW or Leicester LE19 1RJ

About CYFOR

At CYFOR, we are recognised specialists in Digital Forensics, eDiscovery, and Cyber Security, supporting law firms, corporate organisations, and law enforcement agencies throughout the UK.

Our Criminal Defence team provides independent digital forensic expertise to defence solicitors, barristers, and legal professionals involved in complex criminal investigations and proceedings. We are committed to delivering impartial, high quality forensic analysis and expert witness services in accordance with ISO 17025 standards and the Forensic Science Regulators Code of Practice.

We are seeking motivated and analytical individuals who are passionate about digital investigations, evidential integrity, and supporting the fair unbiased administration of justice.

If you are looking to work on challenging and high profile criminal cases within a collaborative and supportive environment, we would like to hear from you.

The Role

CYFOR is currently recruiting for a Criminal Defence Digital Forensic Investigator based at either our Manchester or Leicester laboratories.

We are seeking candidates that must have a minimum of 3 years experience (lower salary band) in digital forensics within either the public or private sector, ideally with demonstrable experience in criminal investigations, legal proceedings, and expert witness work.

The successful candidate will work closely with CYFOR criminal case managers, criminal defence solicitors, barristers, and legal teams to examine, interpret, and critically assess digital evidence used within criminal investigations and prosecutions.

The role involves the forensic acquisition, analysis, interpretation, and presentation of digital evidence from computers, mobile devices, cloud platforms, and associated digital media. The successful candidate will be expected to review prosecution evidence, identify evidential issues or inconsistencies, and prepare clear, impartial, and defensible forensic reports suitable for criminal proceedings.

Security Clearance

Please note that this role requires National Security Vetting to SC level and NPPV3 clearance.

To achieve this, applicants must typically be British Nationals and have resided in the United Kingdom for the previous 5 years. Exemptions may apply for overseas diplomatic or government service and periods of study abroad.

Applicants who do not currently hold active clearance are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the vetting process before applying.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct forensically sound acquisitions and examinations of computers, mobile devices, storage media, and associated digital evidence in accordance with ACPO principles, ISO 17025 standards, and FSR Code of Practice.
• Work directly with defence solicitors, barristers, and legal representatives to support criminal defence investigations and case strategy.
• Review prosecution digital evidence, schedules, and forensic reports to identify evidential issues, omissions, inconsistencies, or opportunities for further forensic examination.
• Prepare detailed expert witness reports, technical statements, and evidential summaries suitable for criminal court proceedings.
• Present evidence in court as an expert witness in a clear, impartial, and professional manner.
• Attend conferences with counsel and legal teams to explain technical findings and support defence case preparation.
• Identify and document evidential limitations, alternative explanations, and areas requiring additional disclosure or investigation.
• Maintain full evidential continuity and ensure integrity of exhibits throughout the investigative process.
• Ensure all work meets internal quality standards and complies with legal, regulatory, and accreditation requirements.
• Assist with verification and validation testing of forensic software, hardware, and methodologies.
• Develop and maintain technical knowledge of emerging technologies, forensic tools, and investigative techniques.
• Support and mentor junior investigators or technicians where required.
• Maintain professional membership and engagement with relevant forensic and legal organisations.
• Be prepared to work outside normal office hours and travel where required.

Essential Skills and Experience

• Minimum of 3 years experience working within digital forensics.
• Strong understanding of criminal investigations, evidential procedure, disclosure obligations, and the role of digital evidence within criminal proceedings.
• Experience working within criminal defence, law enforcement, private forensic practice, or similar investigative environments.
• Experience using industry standard forensic software including one or more of the following:
• • EnCase
  • FTK
  • X-Ways
  • Magnet Axiom
  • Magnet Griffeye
  • Cellebrite UFED/PA
  • MSAB XRY
• Excellent understanding of file systems, operating system artefacts, mobile device forensics, and user activity analysis.
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills with the ability to critically assess digital evidence and challenge forensic conclusions where appropriate.
• Excellent written communication skills with the ability to produce clear, concise, and court ready expert reports.
• Strong verbal communication skills and confidence explaining technical findings to non-technical audiences including solicitors, barristers, and juries.
• Understanding of ISO 17025, FSR Code of Practice, Criminal Procedure Rules, and expert witness responsibilities.
• High level of professionalism, integrity, confidentiality, and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple investigations and work effectively under pressure and within strict legal deadlines.

Desirable Skills and Experience

• Previous expert witness experience within criminal proceedings.
• Courtroom testimony experience.
• Experience investigating serious and complex criminal matters.
• Experience analysing cloud, social media, and application-based evidence.
• Advanced mobile device forensic analysis experience.
• Industry certifications relating to digital forensics or mobile forensics.

Benefits

• Flexible working policy
• 24 days annual leave plus birthday leave and bank holidays
  (increasing with length of service up to a maximum of 30 days plus birthday leave and bank holidays)
• Salary sacrifice group pension scheme
• Private Medical Insurance including Virtual GP services
• Life Insurance (Death in Service)
• Medicash Cashplan
• Salary Sacrifice EV Car Scheme
• Annual media subscription package
  (choice of Netflix HD, Amazon Prime, Spotify, magazine subscription, and more)
• Ongoing training and professional development opportunities