Nov. 12--Local law enforcement is being given the tools to dial in on criminals by using mobile forensic technology.
The device, called Cellebrite, is used to extract information from cellphones during criminal investigations.
Law enforcement agencies equipped with the new technology include the Madison County Sheriff's Department and the Alton, Wood River, Collinsville, Edwardsville, Granite City, Highland and Bethalto police departments.
Wood River Police Chief Otis Steward said the department received equipment that will assist officers during criminal investigations in obtaining information from mobile devices.
"This will allow us to immediately access information on calls, texts and photos of those suspected to be involved in a crime," Steward said.
Steward said police Officer Joe Harris, who is a member of the FBI Cyber Crime Task Force, will be in charge of collecting the information using the analyzer, which previously took weeks because the evidence was sent off and data collected there instead.
Harris said the equipment will extract and decode digital evidence and download it using software into a readable report. He said the information can be obtained on existing, hidden and deleted phone data, including call history, text messages, contacts, images and geotags.
According to Cellebrite, the device works on 3,000 phone models and even can defeat password protections. The analyzer allows visualization of both existing and deleted locations on Google Earth, as well, and location information from GPS devices and image geotags can be mapped on Google Maps.
Steward said when someone takes a photo with a smart phone, the picture typically is embedded with a geotag, and when a criminal takes pictures, it will give the exact location, even if the photo itself doesn't show a distinguishable location.
"We will not be able to search any mobile device without a warrant or without consent from the owner," Steward said.
Madison County State's Attorney Tom Gibbons recently implemented the electronic evidence collection network for law enforcement agencies with funding from the federal drug asset forfeiture program.
Gibbons said funds helped secure software and other computer equipment needed in assisting law enforcement in processing and analyzing digital media. He said the equipment has been placed strategically at police departments around the county, so that all agencies have access.
"Digital media has become such a crucial element in investigation and prosecuting crimes, and it's vital that our police officers have the resources available to them so they can be as thorough as possible in the investigations," Gibbons said.
Gibbons said the departments not included will be able to request assistance on an investigation from the departments that received the devices. The State's Attorney's Office will be sponsoring a five-day training in December for officers designated to use the equipment.
Madison County Sheriff Bob Hertz said it's essential for law enforcement not only to possess the equipment, but also to be highly trained on it.
"This will assist my officers in their investigation of numerous types of crimes, such as murders, sex offenses, drug cases, computer crimes and even burglary investigations," Hertz said.
Gibbons and Hertz said the device could prove useful in the early stages of an investigation, but it also will assist police officers in the courtroom when it comes time to prosecute the defendants.
Alton Police Chief David Hayes said it's often a challenge staying ahead of the digital curve as technology changes so quickly. He said having the right equipment to extract vital information found on digital devices is imperative for successful prosecutions.
"This technology aids us in properly seizing, securing and analyzing digital evidence," Hayes said. "Therefore, it will aid us in solving crimes."
Gibbons has been proactive at using his forfeiture funds for community awareness programs such as Lock Your Meds and Project DrugSMART. He sees this continuing with the Cellebrite purchase.
"Better investigations lead to more convictions," he said. "Using money seized from drug dealers, at no cost to taxpayers, is a great way for me to use the resources of my office to make our communities safer."
Copyright 2012 - The Telegraph, Alton, Ill.
