Digital evidence is a powerful vehicle for justice!
The idea was simple: If digital evidence could prove people were guilty of a crime, it could also prove that people who had been wrongfully convicted were innocent.
New evidence can now be uncovered by applying new digital forensic technology to older cell phones to recover more data than was what previously accessible at the time. These advancements affect millions of cell phones dating back as far as 2013.
The Digital Evidence Innocence Initiative is a not for profit, volunteer organization formed through collaborative efforts of a criminal defense investigator, criminal defense attorney and digital forensic expert. We help identify post conviction cases in which new digital forensic technology can be used to recover new evidence from older devices. We can provide free re-examination of qualifying cases of affected devices in cases of claims of actual innocence.
In our ongoing efforts to prevent future wrongful convictions we provide public defenders equal access to digital forensic experts through our co-founder eLab Digital Forensics and developed digital evidence training for defense attorneys and investigators to advance our dual goal of a uniformed national standard.
Our Goals
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Raise awareness of the causes of wrongful convictions in cases involving digital evidence.
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Provide ongoing digital evidence training to defense teams.
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Highlight the need for early assistance of counsel to preserve time-sensitive digital evidence.
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Promote a national standard of training for defense attorneys and investigators.
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Review cases for re-examination.
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Facilitate re-examination using new digital forensic technology.
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Shape laws in a positive way to provide parity in capabilities, training and resources to public defenders to prevent wrongful convictions and establish a future pathway to post conviction relief in cases involving digital evidence.
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Building the Case for Digital Innocence
Unlocking New Evidence From Old Devices
As digital forensic technology continues to advance, more data can be accessed that may not have been previously available that can be used to overturn wrongful convictions. Recent breakthroughs in digital forensics technology now allows new evidence to be recovered from a significant number of different cell phones dating back to 2013.
To stay current on the latest practices and trends follow us on social media for digital evidence updates, news and industry related laws and technology.
More Data Can Be Recovered.
Recent breakthroughs in digital forensics technology now allows new evidence to be recovered from millions of iPhones dating back to the iPhone model 5s released in 2013.
Cellebrite’s recent release of the Checkm8 forensic exploit allows forensic examiners to access more information from these older devices that was previously inaccessible such as deleted texts. This release is a game changer in the word digital forensics moving forward, but also gives us the ability to look back and apply this technology in post conviction cases to obtain new evidence.
Click the following link for the Cellebrite Checkm8 exploit press release and technical discussion to see what model iPhones are affected.
Link to PDF Cellebrite Release notes
Link to Technical Discussion CHeckm8 PDF
If you have a case involving digital evidence and need help or have questions contact us for assistance. Follow us on social media for updates, practical tips and knowledge sharing.
New Technology affects millions of Feature Phones.
Have a Case Involving a Feature Phone, New Options Are Available.
Recent breakthroughs in digital forensics technology allows new evidence to be recovered from millions of feature phones that were not previously accessible. Feature phones have a limited operating system and not all support third-party software like smartphones.
Cellebrite’s recent release now supports extractions features phones running the KaiOS operating system such as Track Phone, Nokia and Alcatel. This is significant moving forward, but also gives us the ability to go back and apply this technology in post conviction cases to obtain new evidence.
Click the following link for the Cellebrite release notes for a complete listing of models now accessible.
Link to PDF Cellebrite Release notes
If you have a case involving digital evidence and need help or have questions contact us for assistance. Follow us on social media for updates, practical tips and knowledge sharing.
We have worked in direct collaboration with the Connecticut Public Defenders since day one and launched our program at the first New England Regional Public Defender Training Seminar.
