Digital / Mobile Forensics: The Key to Modern Investigations
By Randal Gilliland, Former Federal Task Force Investigator, Digital Forensics Expert PenLink, Co-Founder of Trace Intel
Let’s cut through the noise, if you’re not using digital forensics in your investigations, you’re missing key evidence. Criminals rely on technology for everything, communication, coordination, and cover-ups. The digital world leaves a trail, but it’s up to us to know where to look and how to follow it.
I’ve spent years in law enforcement, working major crime, counterterrorism, and digital forensic investigations. One thing is crystal clear: criminals leave more evidence on their devices than they ever do at a crime scene. Text messages, call logs, GPS locations, and deleted files, it’s all there, waiting to be recovered.
But here’s the problem, not every law enforcement agency has the training, tools, or analyst support to take full advantage of digital forensics. Investigators are juggling multiple cases, short on resources, and in too many departments, forensic requests sit in backlog for weeks or months. If we want to solve crimes faster and make stronger cases, we need to train officers and ensure agencies have dedicated analysts to process this data in real-time.
Why Mobile Forensics is a Game-Changer
Think about it, when was the last time you saw a someone without a phone? Probably a while. That’s because mobile devices are now a part of how we are, a prised possession and a gold mine of intelligence, holding everything from real-time communications to deleted messages, hidden contacts, location histories and more.
Here’s what forensic extractions can reveal:
Deleted Messages & Call Logs – Just because it’s erased doesn’t mean it’s gone.
App Data (WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal) – Communication networks that drive criminal activity.
Location History – Even if GPS is off, cell towers and WiFi connections leave traces.
Photo & Video Metadata – Hidden data that shows where and when images were taken.
Cloud Backups – Many suspects forget that their phones automatically sync their activity.
Example: A murder suspect claims he wasn’t in the area at the time of the crime. A forensic extraction show’s his health ring had connected to victims Wi-Fi network, disproving his alibi, and shifting the entire investigation.
Leveraging Technology & Analyst Support to Build Stronger Cases
The challenge isn’t just collecting data, it’s analyzing it, connecting the dots, and turning raw information into actionable intelligence. That’s where law enforcement partnerships with companies like PenLink come in.
PenLink gives law enforcement the ability to capture, analyze, and map communication data, helping investigators quickly visualize relationships, identify key players, and track movements.Instead of sifting through mountains of raw data, agencies can filter out the noise and focus on what really matters.
Think about it this way: Every suspect has a digital footprint, and the right tools help us trace it faster, build stronger cases, and get convictions that stick.
But here’s where many agencies struggle, who’s doing the analysis?
Many departments don’t have dedicated analysts to work through this data. Investigators are expected to manage their cases, process forensic data, and analyze communications, all while handling their daily workload. That’s why training officers in digital forensics and ensuring agencies have full-time analyst support is just as important as having the right tools.
Example: In a trafficking case, officers need to establish the link between the organizer and his network of transporters. Using communications analysis, they can map out call and text activity, showing exactly how victims were being moved across state lines. This intelligence can lead to multiple arrests and the dismantling of a major operations. But it’s not just about technology, the key is having trained analysts who know what to look for and know how to support investigators in building their cases.
The Next Step: Expanding Training & Analyst Support in Law Enforcement
The reality is this: Not every agency has the resources or training to properly leverage digital forensics.
Crime centers like EMACC in Alabama are setting the standard, but we need to expand access.
Investigators need more training in digital / mobile forensics and communications analysis.
Every department should have access to dedicated analysts who can process digital evidence quickly and keep investigators in the field and highly informed.
Criminals aren’t waiting for us to catch up, they’re adapting, using encryption, burner phones, and cloud-based communication to cover their tracks. We have to be smarter, faster, and better equipped to fight back.
The best forensic tool in the world won’t help if there’s no one trained to use it. And having thousands of messages, call logs, and GPS data from a suspect’s phone won’t mean a thing if there’s no one to analyze it.
More Training.
More Analyst Support.
More agencies treating digital forensics as a critical piece of every investigation.
Because at the end of the day, one deleted message, one GPS ping, or one recovered contact list could be the break that closes your case.
I’ve spent my career helping law enforcement turn digital data into actionable intelligence, and I’m here to help you do the same.
Contact me directly to discuss how we can equip your team with the tools, training, and support needed to stay ahead.
randal@traceintel.com
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