Towards a Smart Digital Forensic Advisor to Support First Responders with At-Scene Triage of Digital Evidence Across Crime Types

• In Event: POL Panel 17. The use of technology in law enforcement: opportunities and challenges

Abstract

Over 90% of reported crime involves a digital element, with most digital evidence being seized by non-specialist front-line officers who often lack digital forensic awareness and training. Both academic research and government reports highlight the significant backlog in digital evidence processing, with current approaches recognised as being insufficient and in need of modernisation. Although digital device triage may help to alleviate digital device processing backlogs, low digital awareness amongst non-specialist officers means triage decision-making lacks consistency. This study presents findings on the first step of a wider Economic and Social Research Council-funded project aiming to lay the foundations for developing a smart digital forensic advisor tool to support first responders conducting digital evidence triage at-scene. The research aimed to enhance our understanding around the process of search and seizure of digital evidence across homicide and stalking and harassment cases from a policing and non-policing perspective. A total of 50 semi-structured interviews across five distinct user groups (i.e., digital forensic investigators; non-specialist officers; digital media investigators; senior policing staff; and private practice digital forensic practitioners) across three police agencies. Through our analysis, we explored the practices, resources, challenges and user needs across crime types and crime scenes in relation to multiple police operating models. Findings support the development of the theoretical underpinning of digital evidence search and seizure. This study contributes to our understanding of the context in which an evidence-based triage tool may be used and the requirements that may inform a solution.

Authors

• Mark Warner, University Collee London

• Valeria Abreu Minero, University College London