EWJ FEB 59 2025 web - Flipbook - Page 24
The Critical Role of Digital
Investigations in Modern
Criminal Justice
As technology evolves at an ever-increasing pace, so
too do the opportunities and challenges for the criminal justice system. Digital evidence has become an essential component in most modern criminal
investigations, with forensic investigators playing a
vital role in ensuring that justice is served. In this article, we will explore the services provided by digital
investigation specialists, the challenges of managing
digital evidence, and the crucial role these experts
play in criminal justice today.
The difference between digital forensics and digital
investigation lies not only in the tools used but also in
the approach. While digital forensics traditionally focuses on retrieving static data from devices, digital investigation considers live data and context, allowing
investigators to pursue dynamic leads that can
support or refute key elements of a case.
The Growing Importance of Digital Evidence
In today’s world, digital evidence is pervasive.
The majority of us now carry smartphones and are
constantly connected to the internet, leaving digital
footprints everywhere we go. For criminal investigations, this provides a treasure trove of information
that, when analysed properly, can reveal crucial
details about a person’s movements, actions, and
communications.
Digital Investigations: An Overview
Digital investigations have come a long way since the
early days of digital forensics, where the primary focus
was on extracting data from physical devices like computers and mobile phones. While traditional digital
forensics still plays a crucial role in gathering “dead
box” data from devices, the field of digital investigation has broadened to cover a much wider spectrum
of services. These include cell site and Wi-Fi analysis,
social media intelligence, GPS investigations, and
vehicle telematics.
Digital evidence comes in many forms: GPS data from
a vehicle or smartphone can reveal where a suspect
was at a specific time, while social media activity can
provide insights into a suspect’s state of mind or even
contradict alibis or witness statements. Similarly, communications on platforms like WhatsApp, Snapchat,
and Telegram can prove pivotal in cases ranging from
fraud to serious violent crime.
At IntaForensics, we have embraced this evolution,
offering a comprehensive digital investigation service.
Our team builds on more than 16 years of experience,
working across a wide range of criminal justice cases.
Our digital investigators are specialists in extracting
and analysing digital data in ways that provide new
insights and lines of enquiry for investigations.
EXPERT WITNESS JOURNAL
For example, one of our cases involved the use of
social media in a sexual assault investigation. The
prosecution presented screenshots from a Tinder
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