IT Forensics: An overview for Criminal Law

IT forensics is a complex and expanding field within Criminal Law, and as the sophistication of technology has increased, so has its employment in a wide range of crimes. IT can play a prevalent part in many cases ranging from drug offences, to money laundering and serious fraud.

From cell site analysis and mobile phone downloads, to CCTV enhancements and hard drive investigations, Clarity Expert Services provide the full range of IT Forensics to legal professionals nationwide. The main categories of IT forensics utilised in criminal law are outlined below:

Cell Site Analysis

Where was the phone? This is often the first question to be asked in any criminal case. Establishing the location of the mobile phone of a defendant, at the time of an offence, can have significant implications for a case.

A cell site analysis expert can identify whether a mobile was in a certain place at a certain time. The cell site experts at Clarity use resources, such as mobile phone mast data, to produce a map of where the mobile phone was located during a specific time. This process will reveal whether or not the mobile phone was present in the area at the time of the offence.

Mobile Phone Analysis

With much of the population using smartphones as part of their daily routine, it should not come as a surprise that smartphones are increasing used in crimes, and are often used as evidence for both defence and prosecution.

When used to access information including social media, websites, emails, and text messaging, Smartphones can contain an array of information, that can be useful to either prosecution or defence, that can be downloaded and displayed in a format that is able to be understood by all parties.

Downloading the information contained on a mobile device can reveal which websites and apps were accessed, and when they were visited. The download can also reveal which pictures were viewed and downloaded; even if they were deleted prior to obtaining the device.

CCTV Enhancements

With the prevalence of CCTV across the streets and buildings of the UK, it is highly likely that a crime that has been committed was captured on camera. However, these cameras are not perfect, and the images captured can be questioned. There can often be issues with the clarity of the picture due to factors such as poor quality equipment or the distance of the event from the camera.

Whether it is a video clip or stills of the video, the CCTV experts at Clarity have extensive experience in all aspects of CCTV enhancements and are adept at clearing up “grainy” CCTV to enable a clear view of the event and alleged perpetrator.

Audio & Visual Enhancements

Given the wide proliferation of smartphones and apps that allow voice calls, evidence in a case can involve recordings of the voice of the defendant and/or witness, which can often tip the scales in a case. However, these recordings can often be unclear and can be subject to challenges from either prosecution or defence.

The audio experts at Clarity have extensive experience in audio enhancements: From voicemails and recorded calls, to audio picked up by police body cameras and CCTV. Our experts will be able to clear up any issues raised by the recording and add clarity to your case.

PC & Laptop downloads

Despite the wide ranging access to the internet provided by smartphones, Pcs and Laptops are widely used as part of daily routine, and it should not come as a surprise that IT devices are increasing used in crimes, and are often used as evidence for both defence and prosecution.

Used to access information including social media, websites, emails, Pcs and Laptops can contain an array of information, that can be useful to either prosecution or defence, that can be downloaded and displayed in a format that is able to be understood by all parties.

Downloading the information contained on a PC or Laptop can reveal which websites and apps were accessed, and when they were visited. The download can also reveal which pictures were viewed and downloaded; even if they were deleted prior to obtaining the device.

Facial Mapping

No matter how clear the CCTV images are, either the defence or prosecution can claim that the person in the images is or is not the alleged perpetrator. This argument can be resolved using the discipline of facial mapping.

Facial mapping is the process by which a map of a defendants face is produced by outlining the specific and unique features of the face in question, and then doing a direct comparison with the video clip and/or still images to ascertain whether or not the two match.

Benefits of working with Clarity

The benefits to the case are that that all IT Forensics experts at Clarity are court ready and have extensive experience in delivering their reports in a hostile court setting, while under intense scrutiny by the opposing barrister, and with the expert being impartial, unbiased, and totally independent from outside interference, allowing for a full and balanced report based solely on the facts.

At Clarity, our team has the expertise to match your need with the appropriate skill set, all at legal aid rates, and with nationwide coverage. Our extensive database includes all aspects of IT Forensics that can be accessed nationwide. If you have any questions about the type of expert you need, contact the team at Clarity and they will take you through the process and ensure get you the right IT expert for your case.