You know the drill. You’ve just wrapped a scene — three new phones are taken in as evidence, each one possibly holding the clue that could break your case. You hand them over to the lab, only to hear, “Add them to the queue.” The shelves are already stacked with devices waiting their turn, and while the evidence sits, your investigation stalls. Across the country — and around the globe — digital forensics labs are drowning in data, creating bottlenecks for moving investigations forward. The backlog is creating serious consequences as leads go cold, victims wait and communities remain at risk. 

The backlog is real, but it doesn’t have to be a roadblock that brings your investigation to a halt. Investigators can play a crucial role in keeping their cases moving forward while easing an examiner’s burden. 

The Growing Crisis in Digital Forensics 

Digital forensics labs are tasked with collecting, preserving and analyzing data from digital devices which may contain critical evidence. But the surge in data volumes, coupled with a shortage of trained forensic analysts, has created an overwhelming bottleneck: 

  • Massive Data Volumes: A single smartphone can contain terabytes of data, and suspects often have multiple devices. Extracting and analyzing that data is time-consuming. 
  • Staffing Shortages: Trained forensic examiners are in short supply, and many labs are understaffed, underfunded or both. 
  • Technology Gaps: New encryption methods, secure messaging apps and emerging devices make analysis more complex than ever. 
  • Case Backlogs: Many labs report backlogs of six months to a year or more, delaying investigations, prosecutions and justice for victims. 

This crisis isn’t merely a matter of workload – it’s a threat to public safety. Evidence delayed is often evidence denied. Victims wait for justice, cases stall and offenders walk free, leaving the community frustrated. 

Where Investigators Can (and Should) Step In 

While digital forensics is a specialized field, there are practical ways investigators and frontline officers can help ease the pressure to help keep cases moving: 

1. Be Specific  

No one knows the case better than you. You understand why a device matters, so when handing it over to the lab, don’t just say “analyze everything,” be clear about what data matters, what timeframe is relevant and how it ties into the case. The more direction you give, the more focused the forensic team can be — saving time, reducing noise and keeping your case moving. 
 
2. Leverage Technology to Investigate 

Once you get the initial decoded data (UFDRs), it’s your turn to dig in and investigate. You don’t need to be as technical as the lab; you just need tools that help surface leads you might otherwise miss. At this stage, evidence looks familiar — pictures, conversations, locations. With the right solutions, like Cellebrite Pathfinder, you can quickly build timelines, connect the dots and start shaping the case narrative. Bonus: you can do so across multiple devices. 
 
3. Delegate Technical Verification to the Lab 

After pulling together what you have — and spotting what’s missing — reconnect with the lab in a more targeted way. Need deeper analysis or specific drill downs? Let them know exactly what you’re after. Already have everything you need? Perfect. The lab can  verify and validate your findings so when you’re in court, there’s no question about the strength and accuracy of your evidence. 
 
4. Advocate for Resources 

Investigators need technology, too. The days when only the lab handled digital evidence are gone. You’re on the front lines, and you’re the one who sees the impact of delays  firsthand. Share those case outcomes with leadership and prosecutors — show how better tools and funding for investigators can ease the pressure on labs and speed up justice. 
 
Digital Evidence Is Everyone’s Job  

The days when agencies can afford digital forensics to be siloed are over. Nearly every modern crime involves some form of digital evidence, whether it’s text messages, social media, GPS or surveillance footage – investigators must work together with forensic teams to prioritize, protect and process data. Investigators can guide the way through mountains of data and the labs will help solidify the supporting evidence to present in court. 

Law enforcement agencies that equip their examiners and investigators with the right digital tools and training, while establishing proper collaboration processes will not only reduce backlogs, they’ll also close more cases, faster. In a world where criminals are moving at a much faster pace, law enforcement must evolve to match. 

The future of digital evidence isn’t only in the lab – it’s in the field. 

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