New Wynyard solution to examine digital evidence from seized devices

Wynyard Group has today launched its Digital Evidence Investigator software.

The product is designed to help law enforcement and border control agencies process and analyse complex digital evidence from mobile phones, laptops and other storage devices lawfully seized from persons of interest in a criminal investigation.

The software forensically extracts and processes data held on devices such as call and text records, emails, internet and social media history and images and videos whilst preserving all of the data in its original form.

According to Wynyard, this preservation is critical if evidence is challenged when in a court of law.

When developing the Digital Evidence Investigator product, Wynyard Group VP Global Marketing, Saya Wahrlich, says Wynyard worked with police forces around the world about the challenges they face and built in key product features to help with areas such as minimising the number of objectionable images an investigator might need to view in a case.

“Wynyard’s solutions currently help some of the world’s largest national and trans-national agencies investigate crimes such as violent and sexual offences, drug trafficking and sex offences against children," Wahrlich adds.

“The software has the ability to quickly and automatically identify objectionable material contained in images and videos using digital signatures.

"It can also connect to external databases to help identify, locate and rescue victims of child exploitation.

“By helping law enforcement agencies interrogate and analyse digital content more effectively they can be even more responsive in tackling offenders, stopping drug trafficking and protecting children from exploitation.”

Globally, the volume of digital devices seized as part of an investigation is growing exponentially.

Wahrlich believes this creates challenges for law enforcement agencies who currently require highly trained staff to process the device, uncover evidence and ensure legal integrity - a time consuming process often creating backlogs and delays.

“We understand that in some large cities there are more than 50,000 devices lawfully seized each year and with the increasing number of smart phone users this number continues to grow," Wahrlich adds.

“Digital Evidence Investigator reduces dependency on forensic specialists by providing a comprehensive software solution designed for frontline personnel use. Specialists are freed up to focus on more complex or high profile cases.

“Wynyard’s software allows detectives and investigators to examine digital data enabling evidence from the device to be introduced into the investigation at an early stage and often while the suspect is still in custody.”

Wynyard Group brought the original technology from the New Zealand Police in 2012 and has since integrated it with its advanced crime analytics platform, creating a product for the billion dollar global digital forensics market.