Forensics

Securing Compromised Mobile Device Evidence
In a previous column, “9 Questions About LE Use of Cell Phone Videos,” I compared a mobile device to a crime scene, stating that a mobile phone that has passed through multiple hands before yours was not unlike civilians trampling all over an unsecured crime scene. This scenario is likely in two cases: when a cell phone has been lost and its finder has made an effort to determine its owner by scrolling through its contents; and/or when it is “searched” by one or more third parties...
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  • Securing Compromised Mobile Device Evidence

    Lost cell phones are commonplace. They’re small, lightweight and easy to misplace when they slip out of a jacket pocket or bag, get left on a messy restaurant table or seat back pocket, or even in a shopping cart. A mobile phone that has passed...

    Article • April 5th, 2013

  • How To Respond When Mobile Devices Are Used To Stalk

    High tech stalking and harassment can be confusing because the technology, and the ways offenders exploit it for criminal purposes, change constantly. But understanding how it fits in a broader context of domestic violence or other more conventional...

    Article • March 5th, 2013

  • Preparing For Challenges To Your Cell Phone Searches
    Preparing For Challenges To Your Cell Phone Searches

    Every court and each different judge can have their own interpretation of what a "legal search" is where cell phones ar concerned. Be prepared to beat the challenges that will inevitably crop up in your cases.

    Article • December 4th, 2012

  • 9 Questions About LE Use of Cell Phone Videos

    Amateur video shot from a cell phone can be important evidence of a variety of different crimes: assault, property crimes, drug crimes and even homicide. But you may not always recover the video from a suspect or victim. If it comes from a witness...

    Article • November 15th, 2012

  • Tiffin Smart Tracker
    Tiffin Smart Tracker

    Inventory control & tracking through RFID.

    Video • July 19th, 2008

  • What you say can hurt you

    Sophisticated forensic audio analysis provides key evidence

    Article • October 1st, 2007

  • Blood Spatter and Newton's Third Law

    Tom Harper forgot that for every reaction there is an equal and opposite reaction. He shot his wife but forgot that as the bullet goes in blood spatter comes back and that's what did him in.

    Article • September 24th, 2007

  • Forensic Autopsy--A Body of Clues

    A murder victim's body is often a source of invaluable clues to what has happened at a crime scene. It is the job of the forensic pathologist performing a forensic autopsy to discover, collect and document these clues.

    Article • August 27th, 2007

  • Forensic video lab ready for training, ready for duty

    The goal of pursuing excellence in a university setting is not uncommon. The University of Indianapolis (UIndy) sets itself apart from others in its partnership with the non-profit Law Enforcement and Emergency Services Video Association (LEVA...

    Article • August 15th, 2007

  • Bullet Lead Analysis Revisited

    New guidelines for bullet lead analysis lead to speculation that the bullet analysis on which the "lone gunman theory" is based is wrong and it is likely there were two or more assassins in Dealey Plaza.

    Article • May 28th, 2007

  • Forensic DNA Analysis

    The plethora of CSI, Court TV, and other crime-related TV shows have given the public the impression that you can order up a DNA analysis and expect to receive results before the last commercial.

    Article • April 23rd, 2007

  • Bloodstain Evidence is Critical --Part 2

    Blood spatter patterns on walls and ceiling can provide a wealth of information about both the events that occurred and about the attacker.

    Article • February 26th, 2007

  • A Graceful Exit?

    As a general rule there can be only one person in charge of the crime scene. Should it be the detective that is in charge of the investigation? How about the detective supervisor or commander? Does it really matter?

    Article • February 14th, 2007

  • Bloodstain Evidence is Critical

    First responders have to be aware of the vital nature of bloodstain evidence. Watch were you walk and what you move and touch.

    Article • January 22nd, 2007

  • Thermal Imagers on Patrol
    Thermal Imagers on Patrol

    A not-so-new technology is expanding from specialized units to patrol officers.

    Article • November 22nd, 2006