Federal crimes now have a huge digital component which has transformed the breadth and scope of investigations. While interviews, surveillance, and physical evidence remain essential, the most decisive insights often come from digital evidence. Computers, laptops, tablets, and mobile devices can expose criminal networks, uncover insider threats, and reveal national security risks.
Human trafficking is no longer confined to the shadows of the physical world. It now infiltrates nearly every corner of cyberspace. Traffickers can exploit victims through mobile devices, social media, gaming platforms, and encrypted messaging apps. Today, almost every criminal investigation has a digital component. But every text, image, and video leaves behind a trail of evidence that can reveal the full scope of a human trafficking incident—if investigators have the right tools to help them.
A common theme in digital forensics is putting the target behind the keyboard. One way to help this is around the use of passcodes and especially the use of biometrics. How can we determine though what the unlock method was? Was it because biometrics were used, or was the passcode manually entered? Where do we look to figure out when the device was unlocked and how trustworthy are these values? In this episode of Mobile Unpacked, we’ll dive in deeper to these very topics!
Videos, images, and audio recordings often provide the most persuasive evidence in criminal cases. Their impact, however, depends on authenticity, integrity, and lawful acquisition. Courts demand proof that digital evidence is reliable, verifiable, and properly documented. When evidence is legally obtained, securely preserved, and accurately authenticated, prosecutors not only ensure admissibility, but simultaneously strengthen their overall case.
Violent crime continues to be a serious problem in many major metropolitan areas, often fueled by the complex and intertwined networks of drug trafficking and gang activity. Some 33,000 violent gangs are active in the U.S., engaged in a variety of illegal activities, including robbery, drug and gun trafficking, prostitution, human trafficking, racketeering, and fraud. … Continued
As we reach the mid-point of the Magnet Axiom and Magnet Axiom Cyber 9 series, we have continued to build their capabilities, with new and updated features that help you work more efficiently. Some feature highlights from the last three releases include: To keep your cases current with the latest apps and services, we also … Continued
In digital forensics, the fight against technology can sometimes get in the way of the fight for justice. Whether it’s an encrypted phone sitting in a lab queue awaiting support or a crucial lead buried in gigabytes of data, solving a case can sometimes come down to a single update or surfacing a single artifact. And in some cases, that one artifact doesn’t just whisper its significance—it screams.
Apple has hit the jump to light speed and jumped from iOS 18 to iOS 26! In this episode of Mobile Unpacked we’ll explore the new changes and challenges Apple’s yearly upgrade cycle is bringing to the table. We’ll explore the overall UX changes of “Liquid Glass” and see if it impacts anything we’ve come to use in our daily forensic lives. We will also explore some of the changes to the Phone and Messages app that could have some serious core impacts to our favorite go-to artifacts.
Developed by experienced prosecutors and informed by relevant case law, this guide equips you with the essential knowledge needed to turn digital artifacts into compelling and reliable courtroom evidence.
“Push-button forensics” is often viewed skeptically and criticized as a shortcut or a threat to expert examiners. In reality, digital forensic tools designed for ease of use aren’t about replacing human expertise. Their true purpose is to streamline repetitive, time-consuming steps, enabling forensic examiners to focus on what truly matters: in-depth analysis, context, and human judgment.
