The Digital Innocence Initiative (DII) was launched in 2019 and is based in Connecticut. DII is an independent organization, founded by a criminal defense investigator, criminal defense attorney, and a certified digital forensic examiner.
The Digital Innocence Initiative is a first-of-its-kind, not-for-profit organization dedicated to preventing and overturning wrongful convictions using digital evidence. We provide technical knowledge, guidance, and resources on digital evidence to public defenders and individuals pursuing post-conviction claims of actual innocence.
A strong defense does not happen by accident—it requires a combination of knowledge, resources, and initiative. Our free resources are designed to make a positive impact by offering practical, common-sense solutions that can strengthen public defense efforts today.
MICHAEL UDVARDY
FOUNDER/DIRECTOR
The Digital Evidence Innocence Initiative was developed in 2018 by Mike Udvardy, a Board Certified Criminal Defense Investigator, creator of the Digital Evidence Case Assessment Method (DECAM) and the owner of IRIS LLC, a Connecticut based criminal defense investigation firm.
JAMES OULUNDSEN, EnCE, CCME
CO-FOUNDER/LAB DIRECTOR
Jim is a criminal defense investigator, Encase and Cellebrite Certified digital forensic expert, and Laboratory Manager at eLab Digital Forensics. eLab provides certified digital forensic services exclusively to public defender organizations and Innocence Projects and offer the widest range of digital forensic services achieving parity with state crime lab capabilities.
WILLIAM H. PAETZOLD, ESQ.
FOUNDER/PARTNER
Attorney William Paetzold has over 30 years of experience in criminal defense, with a background that sets him apart: before becoming a lawyer, he spent six years as a criminalist at the Connecticut State Police Forensic Science Laboratory. Since his admission to the bar in 1990, Bill has tried more than 40 criminal cases to verdict in state and federal courts and argued before the Connecticut Supreme Court, Appellate Court, and the Second Circuit Court of Appeals in New York.
He specializes in complex forensic cases involving digital evidence, DNA, and crime scene reconstruction. A recognized Super Lawyer since 2014, Bill is also a mentor to young attorneys and former adjunct professor of criminal law. Judges and prosecutors alike respect his sharp advocacy and deep forensic insight.
Bill practices at Paetzold Law Group, where more about his work and legal services can be found at www.paetzoldlawgroup.com.
Curriculum Development
The world is a better place thanks to people who want to help others. Thank you to everyone who strives to grow and help others. A special thank you to Chief Investigator Ellen Knight of the Connecticut Division of Public Defender Services for assisting in development of this curriculum and the inspiration for this initiative.