Data is a powerful tool that organisations of all shapes, sizes, and industries in the digital age can harness. Whether we know it or not, data is what defines and drives our world today.
Every day, we are generating more and more data as smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, and other connected devices, along with the internet, become fixtures in both our personal and professional lives. A study by global research and analyst firm IDC revealed that the global datasphere is slated to grow to 175 zettabytes by 2025.
For private sector organisations such as retail, hospitality, banking, healthcare and more, the data revolution has undeniably delivered significant benefits. It has enabled them to improve bottom lines, gain agility, enhance customers’ experiences, spot innovations, and transform businesses. However, it is worth noting that data also brings remarkable advantages to other critical industries such as law enforcement.
In the digital age, data–specifically metadata–is a highly valuable tool in criminal investigations. By definition, metadata is the data behind data. It is a type of information that works as a signature in your files’ background. As a simple example, metadata for a document contains details such as a digital files’ name, type, date it was last opened and edited, and so on. Beyond this, it also contains elements that are typically hidden to users including who created or altered the document, when or what was changed in it, and on what computer or device. These pieces of information are embedded into the file when it is created or revised.
Traditionally, we think about crime-solving as detectives following elaborate paper trails to find clues, gather evidence, and solve a case. But with the proliferation of digital devices, a majority of criminal investigations require authorities to examine digital evidence.
Examining this kind of data requires a specific set of skills. With proper forensic analysis, metadata can help law enforcement authorities to find patterns, establish timelines and point to gaps in the data. Forensic specialists can dig deep into this information to look for digital patterns and unearth details that may otherwise have been missed.
However, analysts often face the challenge of having to sift through a massive and varied pool of metadata, which can prevent them from making clear and meaningful analyses. This is why authorities need to adopt an advanced solution that will enable them to efficiently and effectively perform advanced analytics and complex queries on the metadata while keeping up with rising data processing volumes and higher processing speeds, and horizontally scaling a cloud native solution.
Furthermore, it is also imperative that agencies & Law enforcement find the right lawful intelligence partner. A Partner that is globally established and who understand and implements advanced trade craft workflows and industry best practices, across the end-2-end workflow of metadata, from collection and extraction, handling, and interpretation. Whom can support them in quickly identifying  and targeting key metadata, that can be used to reconstruct a Pattern of life for people, devices as well as places of interest. In doing so, they can develop queries that can be translated into intelligence that will be instrumental in their investigations.
Metadata can be extremely crucial in proving cases, solving crimes, and assisting in other investigations. However, it is important to understand that not every case hinges on it. Nevertheless, as the world evolves to become more digitally driven, metadata is being used more and more by law enforcement agencies to verify truths and uncover lies.
To find out more how law enforcement agencies can capture, deliver, visualize and analyze investigative data, click here.
