GOSHEN- The Orange County District Attorney’s office now has a specialized unit dedicated to searching for and analyzing digital evidence retrieved from devices such as cell phones, computers, and vehicles. Orange county joins Manhattan and Bronx Counties that already have Digital Forensic Units (DFU’s).
“Evidence retrieved from cellular telephones and similar digital devices is regularly used to investigate and prosecute cases and the need to retrieve and analyze that evidence continues to grow,” said District Attorney David Hoovler. “It is estimated that nearly two-thirds of crimes, including violent crimes, involve some digital component. Evidence extracted from these devices can include communications between accomplices, threats that have been relayed to victims, the location of defendants during the time of the commission of a crime, and even internet searches that an offender has done in preparation of committing an offense. Importantly, this evidence can also exculpate a person who might otherwise be suspected of an offense.”
The unit is run by investigators who collectively have more than 80 years of law enforcement experience and 1500 hours of specialized training in digital forensics and child exploitation investigations.
The DFU only conducts searches of devices after ensuring that either a judge has signed a search warrant authorizing the search of the device for particularly described evidence, or when the owner of the device consents to the search.
Equipment for the unit cost approximately $250,000 and Hoovler plans to spend an additional $300,000 to purchase additional equipment, licenses, and provide ongoing training for investigators.
“As the technology that we use in our personal lives rapidly evolves, criminals will use that same technology to commit crimes,” said Hoovler. “Law enforcement must adapt to rapidly evolving technologies to protect the public, while at the same time ensuring that privacy…
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