The Canadian Institute of Learning in Brampton, Ontario, Canada, a private career college, is now offering a course in computer forensics, the first of its kind to be offered in Canada.

Computer forensics is common in the United States, and it is from south of the border that certification must come, according to Samuel Amoah, a certified computer examiner and president of the Canadian Institute of Learning.

But before the certification, one must train and learn how to extract information from a computer or computer disc, even if it has been erased.

"Most people get trained on one tool," Amoah said. "What we do here is train you on every possible tool you have, and then we show you what you can do without all those expensive tools."

Computer forensics it isn't just about "data recovery", according to Amoah.

"You must be able to present it in court, establish a chain of custody," he said.

Jobs can be found with some police departments, but also work for defence lawyers, private investigators, human resources departments and financial institutions, Amoah said.

Jim Ayotte is the first graduate from the course.

"I'm very excited. I'm putting resumes together right now," he said last month. "It's an interesting field. It's not static, that's for sure."

He started in January 2005 without any computer knowledge at all. A former salesman, he suffered a back injury that required surgery, and was unable to return to his old job. While in hospital, a judge, who was the father of a roommate, told him computer forensics is the way of the future.

The final exam is from the United States. Students are given three cases and 90 days to solve them. Students must score 80 per cent or higher to become fully certified.

Amoah traveled to the U.S. to do his certification two years ago, and began offering the course at the local college last year, after he bought what was formerly called Fazcom Training. He taught for Fazcom for eight years, he said.

The program takes approximately 13 months and costs $6,500. For those who don't have any computer skills, Amoah offers that, too, in a separate course.

Amoah is a member of the International Society of Forensic Computer Examiners, the Institute of Computer Forensics Professionals, and the High Technology Crime Investigation Association (Ontario Chapter).

Amoah said he is also working with a federal forensics group in California, planning to organize a series of expert witness training programs for defence lawyers in the GTA, to teach them how to go through cyber crime cases involving computer forensics.

The college, located on George Street North, Brampton, (Near Toronto) also offers courses in supply chain management, ethical hacking, office and accounting, and travel and tourism.

For more information, call the college at 905-874-3311 or visit www.canilearn.com.