Expert: Digital evidence just as important as DNA in solving crimes

April 25, 2008

Expert: Digital evidence just as important as DNA in solving crimes

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - With the majority of the public now owning cell phones, computers, personal digital assistants or other such technology, it is more important than ever for law enforcement to learn how to extract evidence from these devices, says a Purdue University expert.

Rick Mislan, an assistant professor in the Department of Computer and Information Technology who specializes in small-scale digital device forensics, says new technology is making it possible to retrieve a vast amount of important information from devices, which can be critical to solving crimes.

"We know that 80 to 90 percent of cases today have some kind of digital evidence," Mislan said. "The issue for law-enforcement investigators is making them aware that this evidence is out there, then educating them on how to find what they're looking for in the most effective and efficient manner. That's a big job, but as digital devices become more common, it will be just as important as educating them about DNA and physical evidence."

Such technology includes "flasher boxes" that extract all the information stored on a digital device. Novices can use a laptop to view files without having to possess extensive technical knowledge, and other devices can retrieve information from cell phones, such as existing or deleted incoming calls or text messages.

"All these methods are available to law enforcement now and have been used to solve and even prevent crimes ranging from white-collar theft to kidnappings to locating child pornography," he says. "We need to get the word out that training is available now and that digital forensic skills are essential to solving both today's and tomorrow's crimes."

Mislan is the organizer of the inaugural Mobile Forensics World conference, which will take place May 8-10 in Chicago. Topics will include the forensic examination of mobile or portable devices such as cell phones, personal digital assistants, SmartPhones and GPS devices; media card and handset analysis; cell site analysis; call data record analysis; mobile forensics research; and current and future technologies and applications.

More information about the conference can be found at https://MobileForensicsWorld.com/.

Writer: Kim Medaris, (765) 494-6998, kmedaris@purdue.edu

Source: Rick Mislan, (765) 494-2563, rmislan@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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