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NPIA helping forces to bring offenders to justice faster
An NPIA pilot to speed up the time taken for police to forensically examine technology, including computers and mobile phones used by criminals, could help police officers bring more offenders to justice faster.
This examination process known as eForensics (electronic forensics) often provides crucial evidence in serious investigations such as distributing child sex images on the internet, homicide, domestic violence and fraud. However, as computer crime has increased and techniques have become more sophisticated, the demand on technology experts in force Hi-Tech Crime Units (HTCU) to examine electronic devices has grown by 300 per cent over the past seven years.
To help forces deal with this increasing demand, the NPIA has developed a more efficient way for forces to manage the number of devices that need to be examined. This will help to ensure police officers get the evidence they need as quickly as possible.
The current process for police officers to request an examination of a computer or mobile phone varies from force to force. The aim of the six-month pilot, which is now underway is to standardise the process for all forces by providing one management system.
The agency has assisted in setting up a central unit in Nottingham to help officers across the East Midlands region with their requests. Police officers can ring or email one of the technology experts from the five force HTCUs involved in the pilot (Northamptonshire, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire) to get their examination requests assessed to ensure that the electronic device is correctly prioritised before being sent to their force HTCU for investigation. For example, a request to examine a computer is being given a high, medium or low rating depending on several factors such as the seriousness of the crime.
Early signs indicate that the pilot is proving to be very successful and when it ends in the new year, the NPIA intend to hold an event to inform all forces of the benefits achieved, lessons learned and the new processes that need to be implemented.
Simon Bramble, head of Police Science and Forensics at the NPIA said: “This good practice model is helping forces examine more electronic devices faster, increasing the chances of evidence being found that could be used in court to convict more criminals.
“This is another good example of how the NPIA works with the police service to deliver initiatives that provide more for less and help support frontline officers to protect our communities.”
DCC East Midlands Peter Goodman, said: “The East Midlands is at the forefront of innovation. This is another example of how the five forces are working together to increase effectiveness and efficiency in order to maintain a quality police service in light of stringent budget cuts.
“We are determined to work with the NPIA to make the most of this important investigation technique to protect the communities of the East Midlands.”
