b'C O V E RData MiningTurning digital evidence from a liability into an assetBy Jad Saliba, Paul Beesley and Jeff AdamT heproliferationofdigitalintegraltopoliceagenciessecuringTheyrebuildingupmonths-long devices and the data theyprosecutionsorexoneratingthebacklogs,restrictingthecasetypes aregeneratingisprovinginnocent, it can also act as a double- inwhichdigitalevidencecanbe to be one of the greatestedged sword.collected,andtheyreevenseeing challenges of modern poli- judgesthrowoutprosecutionsdue cing. A decade ago, digital evidenceThereissimplytoomuchdigitalto delays, as we saw in the Supreme wasanichecomponentinmostevidence for the current complementCourt of Canadas R v. Jordan decision. investigations. Today, it has becomeofdigital-forensicsprofessionals essential to almost every investiga- inpoliceorganizationstohandle.Withoutadditionaltechnicalhelp tion.WhiledigitalevidencecanbeAgenciesarebeingoverwhelmed.waiting in the wings, police agencies 8 H.Q. Winter 2021/22'