Allnutt, Jeremy E.Kinser, JasonOrebaugh, Angela2014-09-182014-09-182014-05https://hdl.handle.net/1920/8926The anonymous nature of the Internet and increasing cybercrime creates a growing need for techniques to assist in identifying online cybercrime suspects as part of the investigation. In instant messaging (IM) communications, cyber criminals use virtual identities to hide their true identity, which hinders social accountability and facilitates cybercrime. Cyber criminals may use multiple screen names, impersonate other users, or supply false information on their virtual identities with the intention of deceiving unsuspecting victims and committing various cybercrimes. It is necessary to have IM cyber forensics techniques to assist in identifying cyber criminals and collecting digital evidence as part of the investigation.213 pagesenCopyright 2014 Angela OrebaughInformation technologyComputer scienceAuthorship analysisBehavioral biometricsComputer forensicsInstant messagingDissertation