Cell Site Analysis under scrutiny

Cell site analysis has been in the news quite regularly over the last couple of weeks. One of the most prominent stories is that of the News International phone hacking trial.

This is obviously a very high profile case and the Police have used their own in house expert to conduct the cell site analysis. This has not always been the case, and in the past it was usual for external providers of cell site analysis to be brought in to conduct this type of work.

Budget cuts have changed this in many cases, with police forces doing more and more in house, and then only out sourcing at the very last minute to try and save costs wherever possible.

It is reported that in this particular case the expert admitted to making three mistakes within his cell site analysis report and admitted that he did not check over his evidence again before presenting it at court.

Everyone can make mistakes; however external cell site analysis providers would normally have their work peer reviewed and then any errors corrected prior to the report being issued to the police force or defence team.

An expert should always be familiar with the case for which he is giving evidence at court, and time permitting would be expected to have checked their work in order that they are confident that it would be robust enough to stand up to scrutiny from the opposing side.

The expert was reprimanded by the judge who according to The Guardian, stated that the mistakes were “serious ones” and that the “court, jury and public should be able to rely on experts exercising proper care” with their evidence.

As an expert cell site analysis company we are seeing more and more cases which are being done in house by police forces, of which no other force claims to have an in-house cell site expert, and therefore instead rely on police analysts to conduct the work. As a result of this more and more cases are being challenged by the defence who are instructing an expert to review the findings and methodology of such evidence.

Issues as to what constitutes an independent expert will be subject to further discussion at a later date.

For advice regarding cell site analysis call 01527 467467 and speak to an expert today.