Police in Nottinghamshire are leading the way in the prompt analysis of mobile phone data belonging to victims and suspects.
This strong performance, the force says, is down to significant recent investment in specialist digital media and forensics officers, interns, graduate investigators, strict adherence to national proportionality guidelines, and the upskilling of other officers to examine devices linked to less serious offences.
Detective Chief Inspector Les Charlton is responsible for Nottinghamshire Police’s digital media investigation teams.
“As technology has evolved so have the demands placed on police officers. Digital evidence now plays a significant role in the majority of police investigations and can be gathered from devices ranging from mobile phones to smart wearables. That creates a very significant demand that has to be managed effectively,” said Charlton. “When somebody has been the victim of a crime – particularly a sexual offence – we absolutely understand that the investigative process can be extremely difficult and upsetting for them. As police officers we have a job to do, but we want to do that job with as little additional upset to a victim as possible. We offer a bespoke same day and appointment service for phones to help victims.