Cell Site Analysis for Criminal Defence

We had a phone call from a criminal defence solicitor recently to thank us for all our work on their case and to let us know that the charges against her client had been discontinued at court and that the cell site analysis expert would not now be required to attend.

There is nothing particularly unusual in this, apart from the fact that the police didn’t conduct cell site analysis and never obtained his call data records. His solicitor had attended one of our CPD training courses in the past and was fully aware of how to go about introducing cell site analysis evidence when the Crown has not relied on it.

The process can be a little drawn out but can be worth pursuing as we have had a number of cases where upon introduction of cell site analysis evidence by the defence, the prosecution have offered no evidence.

If you have a client who disputes being near the scene of the alleged crime then you may wish to consider obtaining their call data records. If the police have produced a cell site analysis report then you will obtain the data via CPS. If the Crown has not relied upon cell site analysis evidence then you will need to obtain the data via a disclosure order from the court. Making a written request with your client’s authority, or making a subject access request will not furnish you with what is required as only the outgoing data will be supplied. It may be the incoming call activity that is crucial to your clients defence.

If you tell us which of the mobile phone network providers your client is with then we will supply you with the contact details for the disclosure liaison officer at that network, as well as details of where your court order will need to be served. We supply the full wording to use in your court order so that you are supplied with exactly what your expert will require in order to produce a cell site analysis report for your client.

If the phone is unregistered then you will need to show that the phone is attributed to your client and we can also assist with this.

Feel free to contact Denise at Footprint Investigations and discuss your case with her in confidence. Denise has a vast amount of experience in obtaining call data records with criminal defence solicitors and she will assist and advise you free of charge.

Footprint Investigations always offer support and advice prior to providing quotes for criminal defence work. This enables the scope and pricing of the reporting to be relevant and meaningful.

If you would like more information regarding the introduction of independent cell site analysis evidence, or would like to book a FREE training update for your firm, please contact us.

Call 01527 467467 or email denise@footprintinvestigations.com