August EWJ 24 - Flipbook - Page 75
crucial, but its practical applications in real-life
investigations truly highlight its value. By examining
detailed case studies, we can appreciate how this technique has been instrumental in solving complex criminal cases. Cell site analysis supports investigations but
also plays a decisive role in court proceedings. These
case studies demonstrate the versatility and effectiveness of cell site analysis in different legal contexts, ranging from violent crimes to intricate drug conspiracies.
Limitations of Cell Site Analysis
Despite its effectiveness, cell site analysis has inherent
limitations that must be acknowledged to ensure
accurate interpretation of the data. These limitations
include:
1. Lack of Communication Content: Cell site analysis
cannot provide the content of communications. It can
reveal when and where a communication occurred
but not what was said or typed. This limitation means
that while the technique can show that a phone was
used, it cannot specify the nature of the conversation
or message.
Operation Cooper
Operation Cooper involved two sexual assault
incidents in August and November 2022. The offender posed as a taxi driver to lure victims into his
vehicle, where they were drugged and assaulted. Analysis of the offender’s mobile phone data, overlaid with
CCTV footage and victims’ iOS location data, played
a critical role in the investigation.
2. Precision of Location: While cell site analysis can indicate a general area where a device was located, it
cannot pinpoint the exact location with high precision.
This means it can show that a device was in a certain
neighbourhood but not the specific building or room.
The cell site analysis involved matching the suspect’s
call data with the locations captured on CCTV. Additionally, RF survey measurements showed that the cell
IDs used by the suspect's phone provided service
along the route taken by the vehicle. The data correlated with the time and place of the incidents. The
comprehensive analysis led to a conviction, demonstrating the power of integrating mobile data with
other forms of evidence.
3. User Identification: The analysis cannot determine
who was using the device at the time of the communication. It can only suggest that a particular device
was active, not who had it in their possession. This is
where attribution analysis, combined with other evidence types such as CCTV, can support in suggesting
the identification of a user.
4. Data Event Timings: The timing of data events,
such as data sessions, can be misleading. Data sessions
may last for hours and include multiple interactions,
not necessarily aligned with the timestamps provided.
This discrepancy requires careful expert analysis to
avoid incorrect conclusions.
R v Defendant
In this case, the investigation centred around
conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and modern slavery offences. IntaForensics was instructed by the defence to review the prosecution’s material and conduct
RF surveys at two locations of interest. The primary
challenge was to determine who controlled the device
identified as a ‘drugs line.’
Regulatory Changes and Future Considerations
The field of cell site analysis is continuously evolving,
with new regulatory standards introduced by the
Forensic Science Regulator (FSR). As of October 2,
2023, forensic units must achieve UKAS accreditation
to ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standards within 24 months.
This move ensures that all forensic analysis adheres to
high scientific quality and compliance standards, reflecting the FSR's commitment to maintaining rigorous forensic standards across the criminal justice
system.
The analysis revealed significant flaws in the prosecution's data. Key issues included the lack of detailed cell
IDs and azimuth data, which are critical for accurate
interpretation of the data. Moreover, the prosecution
had not considered non-co-location evidence, which
could indicate times when the devices were not together. The careful examination and expert testimony
by IntaForensics led the Crown Prosecution Service
(CPS) to offer no evidence, resulting in the case's
dismissal.
At IntaForensics, we are the first and only organisation to be granted accreditation to ISO/IEC
17025:2017 and the Forensic Science Regulator’s
Codes of Practice and Conduct for cell site analysis.
Operation Code Minister
This case was a law enforcement agency investigation
into a large-scale conspiracy to supply controlled
drugs. The suspects used the now-defunct encrypted
communication platform EncroChat. The analysis was
extensive, covering surveillance observations, Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) activations,
and GPS data from vehicles. IntaForensics conducted
attribution analysis for multiple devices at various
home addresses.
Impact of Regulatory Changes
These regulatory changes will significantly impact how
cell site analysis is conducted and presented in court.
The requirement for accreditation ensures that all
analysis is performed to a high standard, increasing
the reliability and credibility of the evidence. This
change is particularly important in complex cases
where precise and accurate data interpretation can be
the difference between conviction and acquittal.
The RF surveys were crucial in determining whether
the devices could have been used by the defendants at
the relevant times and places in question. The comprehensive analysis and expert witness testimony provided by IntaForensics supported the prosecution,
leading to convictions and custodial sentences for the
defendants.
EXPERT WITNESS JOURNAL
The Future of Cell Site Analysis
Looking ahead, several key trends and developments
are expected to shape the future of cell site analysis:
1. Phasing out 2G and 3G Technology: All UK
network providers plan to withdraw 2G and 3G technology by 2033. 3G has already been turned off by EE
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