The amount of digital evidence in criminal investigations has exploded, with nearly every case involving a digital component and often more than two devices. With so much information now buried or hidden in smartphones, computers, social media, cloud apps and vehicles, investigators face the challenge of piecing it all together. In investigations where multiple devices are involved, looking at each device in isolation can result in missed connections and slower case resolutions. 

For forensic teams to effectively manage and analyze the large volumes of digital evidence, investigation software is essential. Solutions like Cellebrite Pathfinder allow investigators to review all the digital data in a case that can help uncover hidden connections and identify patterns, speeding up the time to evidence. 

This guide explores how technology can help your agency navigate data complexities. 

Why Investigation Software Matters 

Investigation software automates time-consuming data analysis, uncovers hidden connections across devices, accelerates case resolution and enhances collaboration within your team. These capabilities are crucial for modern law enforcement and forensic teams. 

Key Features for Success 

When it comes to effective investigation software, features that set you up for success include: 

  • Multi-Source Data Processing and Review: The ability to analyze data from multiple sources such as phones, computers, cloud services and more, and review all that data together to provide a comprehensive view of the situation. 
  • Relevance to Your Cases: Ensure the software excels in processing data from the sources you encounter most frequently. 
  • AI-Powered Analytics: Look for tools that leverage AI to detect patterns, process natural language for faster insights, categorize and organize media files, detect similar images and extract hidden information such as text in images and audio files. 
  • Visual Relationship Mapping: The ability to create interactive visualizations of complex data relationships such as communications between people or groups and location information. 
  • Cross-Case Analysis: The capability to not only check if a person is connected to other cases but also the opportunity to review multiple cases simultaneously. 

The Right Solution 

  • Capabilities to look across different data sets to surface and correlate data
  • User-friendly interface for all skill levels
  • Robust training and support programs
  • Track record of continuous innovation
  • Commitment to ethical AI and data handling
  • Security and compliance  

Pathfinder: A Game-Changer in Multi-Device Investigations 

Bring all the involved devices into Pathfinder to see everything together. You can use the solution to check if there are cases that involve the same person, making data an ongoing source of investigative leads. 

Pathfinder allows you to analyze data from all devices in a case at once, revealing hidden links. You can: 

  • See all messages between parties, across apps in one unified view
  • Understand movement patterns in one map
  • Correlate digital identifiers across platforms and devices 
  • Build a comprehensive timeline to see a person’s pattern of life or all parties’ communications or actions before, during or after an incident
  • Use natural language processing to instantly translate and analyze conversations across languages
  • Visualize connections between people
  • Uncover links between cases 

        Pathfinder in Action: Results That Matter 

        Law enforcement agencies worldwide are getting great results with Pathfinder in investigations of all types. 

        Gangs & Narcotics: Pathfinder enabled the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office in Texas to analyze extensive data, revealing crucial insights and securing arrests in complex cases including an outlaw biker gang and the county’s first fentanyl murder. Additionally, digital evidence exonerated an innocent individual, highlighting the reliability and integrity of MCSO’s investigations 

        A monumental effort that would have been nearly impossible without the help of digital forensics tools. Pathfinder was the only way we could do it. – Billy Ballard, Detective 

        Mass Shooting: The digital evidence uncovered by Pathfinder played a crucial role for the Oakland County, Michigan Prosecutor’s Office in securing convictions against the suspect’s parents, who were each found guilty of four counts of involuntary manslaughter in a shooting at a high school. The case marked the first time parents were held criminally responsible in connection to a mass shooting, leading to a 10-year prison sentence for each. 

        I didn’t have the hours or the people to do what Pathfinder did. We wouldn’t have known things. This was so blatant – blatant and egregious” –
        Karen McDonald, Prosecutor 

        Human Trafficking: Nampa, Idaho Police Department’s adoption of digital forensics tools has led to significant investigative breakthroughs, including securing an arrest in a drive-by shooting case and uncovering 59 suspects in a human trafficking ring linked to a homicide investigation. These tools have streamlined case management, allowing the police department to connect critical evidence faster and more effectively.  

        “Pathfinder’s been able to organize that data much, much, much easier than we could by ourselves” – Cameron Cowdery, Detective 

        Empowering Your Agency 

        The right investigation software can transform your agency’s capabilities, helping you solve cases faster and more efficiently. You can stay ahead of evolving criminal tactics and better serve your community. As you evaluate options, consider not just the technology, but the partnership and support that comes with it. The ideal solution should empower your team to face both current and future investigative challenges with confidence. 

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