Law, Ethics & Governance (digital Investigations)
Course
- Duration: 11 weeks
- Start: September 2026
Our digitally transformed world creates many new opportunities for misconduct. Criminals are rapidly shifting their field of activity to the digital domain providing a growing need for trained forensic IT specialists who can act quickly and effectively in digital forensic investigations.
When the expertise of a digital forensics expert is called upon digital skills are a necessary requirement. They are however not sufficient. All digital forensic work exists in a context that needs to be understood in order to work effectively.
Something for you?
You are a professional with a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree working in the digital forensic field looking to develop or improve your research skills.
About the course
During the course you will gain a basic understanding of the legal and ethical context of digital forensic work and how it is influenced by that context. This course will require you not only to consider the most efficient way to go about your work from a technical perspective, but also look at legal and ethical consequences of the choices you make.
The Law, Ethics & Governance course is part of the Master Digital Forensics, a two-year part-time program. The duration of the course is 20 weeks with a study load of 5 ECTS. Our education is offered in a hybrid format, providing the option to follow lectures online with the exception of several mandatory on-campus meetings. The curriculum combines theory & practice. Participants are expected to carry out practical projects and assignments in their own workplace or at the Digital Forensics Lab at the Digital Forensics & E-Discovery lectorate based at the HSD-campus in the Hague.
Topics
The following topics, among others, will be covered during the course Law, Ethics & Governance:
Law
- The international legal framework for cybercrime
- The national legal system versus the international legal framework
- The principle of legality in the context of a criminal investigation
- The convention on cybercrime
- Breaches of confidentiality, integrity, and availability of computer data and systems
- The digital forensic process in the context of criminal proceedings
- International police cooperation and joint investigation teams
- European law like , GDPR and AI Act
Ethics
- Integrity and professional commitment
- Conflict of interest
- Bias
- Validated principles and procedures
- Confidentiality
- Ethical dilemmas regarding the use of new technologies
Forensic Readiness
- The rationale for digital forensic readiness
- Frameworks, standards, and methodologies
- Digital forensic readiness of businesses
- Legal aspects
- Policies, processes, and procedures
- People Roles, responsibilities, skills, and training
Admission requirements
The admission requirements for this course are:
- Bachelor's degree ICT, Computer Science or Digital Forensics (or completed pre-master program Digital Forensics).
- Relevant work experience in the Digital Forensics field.
- Proficiency in academic English is required.
- Resume check to review if you meet the entry-level requirements of the module (if needed to determine this, you will be invited for an introductory interview).
Microcredential
After completing the course, you will receive a micro-credential. Micro-credentials focus on specific skills and areas of knowledge, offering a targeted, flexible, and time-efficient way to develop new competencies or enhance existing ones.
If you later decide to pursue the Master’s Degree in Digital Forensics, you will be granted exemptions for any courses in the program that correspond to the micro-credentials you have already earned.
About the Master Digital Forensics
The Master of Digital Forensics is specifically tailored to professionals who would like to:
- advance their technical skills in modern day digital forensics and investigations.
- acquire the necessary management and communication skills required to perform forensic investigations.
- be prepared for the technology paradigm shift towards IOT forensics.
- learn how to use analytics, AI, and ML methodologies and apply forensic frameworks to control huge investigations.
- learn to develop state of the art forensic tools.
Read more about the complete master’s program
Purely practical
Duration and location
Duration
11 weeks
On-campus day for study year 2026-2027
Monday
Extent
5 EC
- Combination of self-study, on-campus lectures & practical assignments.
- Option to follow lectures online with the exception of several mandatory on-campus meetings.
Location
HSD-Campus, the Hague
Costs and planning
Cost per module
€ 2.000,- VAT exempt (excl. literature)*
*Subject to indexation
Start
September 2026
Registration
Register at latest by 15 August 2026.
*Course will only be confirmed when there is sufficient participation.
Made your choice?
We're looking forward to seeing you! The course starts in April 2026.
Still in doubt?
We're happy to help!
Do you have any questions about this course? We're happy to help.
Terms and Conditions
All modules are subject to the terms and conditions of Leiden University of Applied Sciences (in Dutch).