Computer Forensics by Disklabs Computer Forensics.
Dictionary.com defines an Expert as:
A person with a high degree of skill in or knowledge of a certain subject.
The highest grade that can be achieved in marksmanship.
A person who has achieved this grade.
A Computer Forensics Expert is therefore someone who has a high degree so skill in, or knowledge of a certain subject.
It is important not to get mixed up between a Computer Forensics Expert and a Computer Forensics Expert Witness.
A Computer Forensics Expert is someone who advises a party on a technical, (or specialist), matter during a claim or dispute.
A Computer Forensics Expert Witness is someone who is instructed by a party on a technical, (or specialist), matter during a claim or dispute to prepare a written report for the court of law or tribunal to assist in an outcome.
A computer forensics expert is should be able to consider all facts in a case, whether or not they do or do not agree with the experts opinion. He/She should not answer a question that is not within the remit of that experts expertise, and must state this to the court or tribunal. It is the duty of the expert to ensure that the court has an unbiased opinion regarding the facts of the case/hearing, not just to report what his/her client wants to hear.
There are various degrees in expertise for computer forensics. Someone who has a high level of skill may well consider themselves to be a computer forensics expert, however, someone who teaches the science in this subject may well consider the former not worthy. A true computer forensics expert should be able to carry out practical examinations of computers, or other digital devices, and understand the science behind it to a level whereby they can explain exactly what the software tool they have used has done to the data to get the results they are offering as evidence.

