Can courts use text messages, emails, and deleted search history to sentence criminals? According to The Examiner, the answer is yes. In fact, digital evidence — in this case, blackberry messages — may sway jurors’ final decisions about baseball star Alexander Rodriguez’s (A-Rod) alleged drug use, The Examiner reports. If the MLB is unable to prove the validity of digital evidence against Rodriguez, courts may rule in favor of shortening the baseball player’s suspension.
A-Rod, the MLB, and Mobile Phone Evidence
Digital forensic investigator Mark McLaughlin explained the importance of computer and mobile phone forensics to The Examiner: “Unless you’ve verified the source [of the document or the photograph], the authenticity of printouts as evidence are always questionable. That’s why digital forensic examiners establish a verifiable chain of custody to prove what you’re looking at, is an exact representation of the original.” Although A-Rod is specifically appealing the decision — and suing the MLB for violation of his contract and privacy — the defense is likely to use digital forensic science to revisit the legitimacy of the condemning messages and make a final call on the case.
Digital Evidence Puts Criminals Away
Digital forensic science is playing an increasingly large role in civil and criminal cases, according to The Examiner. Computer forensics investigators often use the latest software to preserve active, archived, and deleted data. In most cases, analysts can retrieve relevant encrypted data, deleted search histories, and old text messages. High quality, digital video is also an important tool. The Fayetteville Observer reports that digital video led to the arrest and conviction of Mario McNeill, the man who kidnapped and murdered 5 year old girl Shaniya Davis. Outdated VHS tapes are often too blurry to be used for definitive evidence, The Fayetteville Observer adds.
Today’s courts often use digital forensics to prove innocence or guilt. Investigators will revisit digital evidence to make final determinations on Rodriguez’s case. Examiners continue to dig up texts, search histories, and digital videos to explore all related evidence. For more information, read this website: www.cloudninediscovery.com
