September 14, 2021

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Police Training on Digital Evidence

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Police Training on Digital Evidence

 
Gordon Graham
Category: Law Enforcement

Gordan Graham here with Today’s Tip from Lexipol. Today’s Tip is for my law enforcement friends, and it’s about recognizing, collecting, and preserving digital evidence.

If you’re in charge of your agency’s training program, consider spending more of those valuable training hours on digital evidence courses.

At some point or another, either way back in the academy or at last year’s in-service, we’ve all had training on collecting latent fingerprints or recognizing other forms of trace evidence. But how often do you get to put those skills to the test? How frequently does trace evidence even play a part in your daily routine? Odds are, not very often.

Now let’s compare that with digital evidence. Whether it’s cell phone call records or texts. Computer emails or instant messages. Home security or doorbell cameras. Or even third-party witnesses recording an incident. Digital evidence likely comes into play in virtually every call you respond to.

And when was the last time you attended a class on digital evidence? Compared to how often we encounter it, the answer is likely not recently enough.

The challenges related to the proper handling of digital evidence are massive. Understanding what to look for and whether or not we can seize it without a warrant. Preserving or examining the evidence. Reporting it. You get the idea. The best way to handle a massive challenge like this is through frequent training.

So, if you’re in charge of your agency’s training program, consider spending more of those valuable training hours on digital evidence courses. And if you’re simply looking to expand your own knowledge base, seek out some good online or in-person training. This is a complicated and ever-changing topic. The only way to stay on top of it is by keeping up to date with frequent training.

Listen folks, technology is here to stay and our profession must keep pace with the new age of criminal enterprise. Today’s criminals are sophisticated. We need to remain one step ahead by keeping ourselves sharp. Remember, knowledge is power!

And that’s Today’s Tip from Lexipol. Gordon Graham signing off.

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