Jeff Bell is Cyacomb's Customer Success Manager in North America and a seasoned Law Enforcement & Digital Forensic Professional with over 33 years of experience working in or with Law Enforcement agencies. For the past 15 years, Jeff has focused on Computer & Mobile Device Forensics, Data Recovery, and Forensic Lab Management.

Law enforcement agencies worldwide face a growing challenge in managing the sheer number of digital devices encountered during investigations. From smartphones and tablets to laptops and external drives, the amount of data stored on these devices can reach terabytes, significantly increasing the time and resources required for forensic acquisition. For example, acquiring forensic images from a 1 TB hard drive can take approximately 11 hours. Such delays contribute to growing backlogs, as evidenced by the 7,800 backlogged digital forensics cases in publicly funded crime labs in 2014 (1).

Given the volume of cases and limited resources, on-scene efficiency is crucial. Investigators must focus on collecting the most relevant evidence while avoiding unnecessary seizure of irrelevant digital devices. This calls for a more targeted approach to the triage and seizure of digital devices.

In this article, we discuss best practices to help law enforcement agencies streamline this process.

Developing a Triage Plan

The foundation of a successful digital evidence seizure begins with a robust triage plan. A clear set of procedures and guidelines is essential to ensure that all team members know their roles and responsibilities. Proper training is crucial—Investigators need to be equipped with the appropriate tools and software for triage, ensuring the integrity of evidentiary data is maintained.
Manually searching through devices should be a last resort, as it increases the risk of human error. The triage process should aim to identify relevant evidence quickly and without altering the original data.

Identifying and Prioritizing Devices

Not all digital devices present at a scene will be relevant to the investigation. Prioritizing devices that belong to the subject of the investigation, as opposed to unrelated family members or roommates, can save valuable time. Additionally, the risk of potential data loss must be considered, with immediate triage performed on devices most susceptible to losing data, such as smartphones or devices with volatile memory.

Avoiding Data Alteration

To ensure that digital evidence remains admissible in court, it’s essential to avoid altering the data during triage. Using tools like write blockers and software that limit changes to original data can help preserve its integrity. For mobile devices, a best practice is to place them in Airplane mode to prevent data from being remotely accessed or altered while investigators are examining them.

Documentation:

As one criminal prosecutor famously stated, "If you didn’t write it down, it didn’t happen." Thorough documentation is not just a formality—it is a critical aspect of the investigative process. This includes:

• Photographing digital devices as they are found.
• Recording key details such as make, model, and serial numbers.
• Documenting the device's status (e.g., powered on, damaged).
• Identifying connected peripherals and noting any visible applications on screen.

In many cases, the most important evidence, such as incriminating documents or images, may already be open and visible when the device is discovered.

Choosing the Right Software and Equipment

The choice of tools and equipment can make or break an investigation, especially in time-sensitive cases. Forensic investigators often work under significant time pressure and cannot afford to spend hours imaging and analyzing every device they encounter. In situations such as child exploitation cases, speed is critical.

Choosing software that allows investigators to triage multiple devices simultaneously can significantly reduce the time spent on-scene. Efficient triage tools enable officers to focus on devices that are most likely to contain critical evidence, speeding up the overall process.

Conclusion

At Cyacomb, we understand the challenges investigators face when seizing digital devices. Our forensic triage software is designed to help law enforcement agencies quickly and efficiently assess multiple devices at once. By focusing on the devices most relevant to the investigation, we empower investigators to save time, resources, and, ultimately, lives.
If you’re interested in learning more about how Cyacomb can streamline your digital forensics process, get in touch with us today.

If you would like to see our tools in action, request a demo today or sign up for a free 21-Day Trial to test the technology for yourself. You can also contact sales@cyacomb.com for any any other questions. 

Jeff Bell is Cyacomb's Customer Success Manager in North America and a seasoned Law Enforcement & Digital Forensic Professional with over 33 years of experience working in or with Law Enforcement agencies. Throughout his career, Jeff has held various roles, including Officer, Investigator, Police Supervisor, and Administrator, providing him with practical knowledge and experience in diverse law enforcement capacities. For the past 15 years, Jeff has focused on Computer & Mobile Device Forensics, Data Recovery, and Forensic Lab Management. Throughout his career, Jeff has conducted hundreds of Forensic Acquisitions and Examinations on computers, mobile devices, and servers, specializing in various platforms such as Windows OS, Apple OSX-iOS, Android, and Blackberry. Jeff is highly regarded in the field and has tested and validated forensic tools and applications for use in the forensic labs he has worked in. He holds several forensic certifications, including EnCE and GCFE.

(1) nij.ojp.gov/topics/articles/new-approaches-digital-evidence-acquisition-and-analysis