Video games can not only catch criminals but can also prove their innocence, according to security consultant Brandon Nesbit.

Nesbit, who is scheduled to give a presentation at the DEFCON Security Conference, will argue to law enforcement authorities how logs from games such as World of Warcraft, and features from consoles such as Microsoft's Xbox 360 can be used to establish an alibi.

"For example, if someone is trying to prove that Suspect A was running an attack against a World of Warcraft server, there will be logs to indicate that fact within World of Warcraft.

"Or if someone wants to defend themselves, they can say, 'whoa Mr. Investigator...check those logs, I was playing Team Fortress 2 at the time." We know we've used that one before...

Nesbit also suggests that gaming can be an effective method of further invading privacy.

"Keep in mind too, that logs are just a small piece of a very large pie. If an investigator wants to get a good idea as to the activities conducted on a system, this information is very important."

Nesbit explained that the connected nature of current consoles makes them a powerful tool since they store "files, pictures, movies" and that data can be "of interest to a forensics investigator".

"The idea [is] that traditionally, in my experience at least, a forensics investigator will gloss over this type of evidence. I try to point out in the presentation that this should no longer happen as there's a wealth of information to be garnered, both on game consoles and PCs."

We're a little weary of his new 'investigation technique', mostly because he suggests people are still playing Team Fortress 2 on the Xbox - utter maddness.

This reminded me of the guy who was accused of robbery, only to be saved by his FB entry...

Why is invading people's privacy by checking server logs, files on PCs/consoles etc being presented as a good thing?

Let's not forget that you don't need to prove you weren't at the murder scene, but rather the Police must prove that you were.

Are you actually the bloke from Memento?

Yes but for someone like me who does not remember what I had for breakfast trying to work out where I was on the 16th of what ever month is damn near impossible. I have refused to get all anal and keep a diary. I only mark significant details so for most of the time my computer logs would be my best alibi. Not that I would do something to worry about. On one occasion I was found wandering by a police dog unit in the middle of no where, got a lift back to the police station, and once in the police station got questioned by a couple of detectives regarding a series of burglaries. It was not until the officer came back saying that I had been reported missing that they realised that they were talking to the wrong person.

Dont worry, there are some nice people in Gitmo who can help you with your memory. Apparently they offer boarding as a recreational activity.

erm, would it not be possible for someone to ask a friend to log into their account while they are out committing a crime?

this whole idea is massively flawed, unless you can definitely prove that the suspect was using their account, not an accomplice

Leave my alibi alone!!

Too late, I have informed the authorities and well start packing the sun tan lotion

Good I need a holiday.

Con Air - still better than Ryanair