IDIA 2020: Advancing the Field of Digital Intelligence Award!

The judging panel were in awe of some of the work completed in this field. Again, there was fierce debate as the judging panel discussed the merits of each nomination, looking to understand the meaning behind the work completed and its impact long-term within the digital forensics field. Here’s the shortlist!

FBI (Cellular Analysis Survey Team)

In 2016, two members of the FBI were working on a possible serial killer investigation. They started looking for alternative methods to locate further devices, leading them to learn that Google maintains a location database with information on hundreds of millions of devices worldwide. The agents were able to show how this information would be applied to past and present investigations by creating a digital geographical fence around a crime scene enabling common devices across multiple locations to be identified.

Ministry of Home Affairs – Guardia Civil General Directorate (LI and Data Retention Group – Unit of Crimes Against People)

In 2016, a 19-year-old woman disappeared in Galicia, Spain. After an area search, the only lead was her badly damaged mobile phone. LI and Data Retention specialists joined the team to reconstruct her movements in line with all the mobiles in the area at that time. Investigators overlayed cell antenna location data with other data sources and using data specifications around car headlights they identified a vehicle seen in the area at the time of her disappearance. This enable a suspect to be identified. Following interviews, the investigators were finally told the location of the girl’s body and she was found 497 days after she disappeared.

EMSOU (EMSOU DII RFPS)

This team consists of three RF technical specialists who developed enhanced capability at force, regional and national levels. They identified that the current equipment utilised by UK law enforcement was reaching the end of its life, so they helped to introduce Software Defined Radio (SDR) to survey work. It has revolutionised analytical opportunities as previously unseen RF signals now increase evidential opportunities with surveys showing hostages are being located in minutes rather than hours or days. This innovation has had a direct positive impact on policing.

Contact Awards@bluelightsdigital.com to see if you are eligible to join us on the 10th March to find out who wins!