2026
Industry Trends
The State of Digital Investigations in Public Safety
Digital evidence drives modern casework, but data growth and new sources are straining teams.
The 7th annual Industry Trends Report shows how agencies are adapting in digital forensics and investigation
2026 Snapshot
DIGITAL EVIDENCE EVERYWHERE
Digital Witness in Nearly Every Case
Smartphones appear in 97% of investigations, making them the most consistent and revealing source of digital evidence.
ACCESS CHALLENGES
Locked Devices, Slow Start
More than half of devices, 56%, arrive locked, delaying access to critical evidence at the earliest stage.
EVIDENCE SHARING GAPS
Evidence Sharing Stuck on Drives
Sixty-seven percent of agencies still rely on portable hard drives to share evidence, creating delays and chain-of-custody risks.
Connecting the Dots
Single Case, Multiple Devices
Investigations typically involve two to five devices per case, increasing complexity and the need to connect data across sources.
Investigator Workload
Heavy Caseloads Add Pressure
Investigators manage a median of six to ten active digital cases at a time, compounding workload and time constraints.
What’s Inside
How digital evidence growth reshapes investigations
Where digital forensics and investigations hit roadblocks
Modernization moves agencies are prioritizing for 2026
Get the 2026 Industry Trends Report
Explore More Resources
2026 Industry Trends Webinar
Go beyond the report and get real-world perspectives on how agencies are experiencing and responding to this year’s Trends findings.
Digital Evidence Reality Check
The Cellebrite Community brings together experts from all over the industry to troubleshoot and help each other stay ahead of the next wave of digital investigation challenges.
The Next Evolution of Digital Evidence
A practical guide to improving access, analysis, and sharing of digital evidence with modern tools and technology.