Introducing Cell Site Analysis evidence to a Jury

Whenever we see a particularly bad cell site analysis report, be it by the prosecution or defence, which is surprisingly often, then our first thoughts normally turn to the jury.

The most important people in any trial are always the jury, so it is amazing how little emphasis is put in many cases, on the jury being presented with cell site analysis evidence which can be understood.

Cell site analysis is a technical subject, which can be difficult to grasp, and therefore it is crucial to make life as easy as possible for the jury where cell site analysis evidence is concerned. It should be clear that a jury are better engaged with evidence which is well presented, professional and easy to understand. Cell site analysis evidence is no different, and therefore cell site analysis reports should be free from jargon, and any supporting maps and call schedules should be easy to understand once an introduction to cell site analysis has been put before them.

We see vastly increasing numbers of cell site analysis exhibits, which effectively come with no script as many exhibits are created by police analysts, and unlike a cell site analysis expert, they would not generally produce an actual cell site analysis report as they are only able to present evidence of fact, and cannot give an opinion.

This said however, is not completely down to inexperienced analysts or officers preparing cell site analysis exhibits, as we have also seen many a report prepared by an “expert”, which is so cumbersome and complicated that the average juror would really struggle to follow it and more importantly, form any opinions in relation to the evidence placed before them.

We have been told by numerous barristers that even they find many cell site analysis reports complicated and confusing, but that after seeing a report prepared by one of our experts, that the cell site analysis evidence was easy to follow.