Behind the Scenes of the Nova Scotia RCMP Digital Forensics Service

When cellphones are seized by Nova Scotia RCMP during search warrants, they are taken to a digital forensics lab.

The team consists of about 13 people – both in military uniform and in civilian clothes. They support front line staff during investigations.

“We work with all electronic devices, be it a mobile phone, computer, DVR, DVR, USB, external drive. Anything that is electronic and can contain data,” said Cst. Dominique Laflamme.

“These devices will be sent to us for examination and our role is to support the investigation by extracting data from these devices.”

Sometimes when they receive the devices, they arrive broken or intentionally broken at the time of arrest.

“Our job is to try to recover the data by repairing the device, and we usually do that successfully,” he said.

Even new entertainment consoles in vehicles can contain enormous amounts of data, Laflamme said.

“Most of these consoles record different data depending on the make and model, but most of them record data, especially when someone syncs their phone,” Laflamme said.

“Sometimes we can access these contacts on the phone, call logs from the infotainment system and even some data from the car: whether the car was moving at a certain time, where, speed, coordinates.”

Digital Forensics is a busy department, and Laflamme notes that when one file is closed, two more are opened.

Photo of devices recovered from the Nova Scotia RCMP Digital Forensics Service. (Stephanie Tsikos/CTV News)

“The fact that these days everyone has a mobile phone and sometimes more than one, as well as computers and any other electronic devices they have, when it comes to investigating and solving crimes, these devices become very important because they contain a goldmine of data. »

He said the team works with all types of investigations.

“It could be as simple as someone being arrested for selling drugs on the street. The investigator seized a cell phone. Then we will try to see if there is more evidence of human trafficking,” Laflamme said.

“We can move on to domestic violence, which is really some kind of investigation where we can look for evidence of text messages sent, threats and things like that. Threats are another option. Homicides, shootings, violent crimes, financial crimes, every aspect of every investigation these days, we’re routinely involved.”

The work can be difficult and sometimes even burdensome when it comes to certain types of evidence discovered, especially when working with the Integrated Child Exploitation Unit (ICE).

“When they get a warrant, we usually team up with them, helping them with the search, analyzing the data at the scene,” Laflamme said. “Ultimately we support a unit where they can arrest people who are abusing children. As sad as it is, at the end of the day it’s very nice to know that we did something good and helped children.”

As technology advances, it gets the job done. Laflamme said members receive training year-round to keep up with changes.

Mobile phone photo. (Stephanie Tsikos/CTV News)

“Front line members are now responding to a lot of complaints related to social media, whether it’s threats, harassment or the like, and when they investigate, they often seize either a computer or a cell phone,” he said.

“I would say that 10 years ago we didn’t see crimes like this very often. Nowadays, we see it almost every day.”

Another area of ​​their focus is artificial intelligence.

“AI is a very new phenomenon. I haven’t had a case with AI yet, but we know it’s coming out, and we’ve had a few cases where AI is alleged to be involved, whether it’s photo manipulation or threats that I think were made by AI.” . Laflamme said. “We know and we are preparing for this.”

For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page.