In an age dominated by technology, crimes are increasingly leaving digital trails. About 90 percent of criminal cases have a digital element, and the volume of digital evidence in cases is rising exponentially.¹ From email correspondence to encrypted messages, digital evidence has become the cornerstone of today’s investigations. Handling this type of evidence, however, comes with a new set of challenges, including security, accuracy, and privacy concerns.

As a result, the methods for collecting and managing this type of evidence have undergone a remarkable transformation, making the process more efficient and secure than ever before.

Tools Revolutionizing Evidence

Email, text messages, social media, and GPS coordinates can all play vital roles as forms of digital evidence. When these data are collected and handled poorly, however, it can lead to wrongful convictions or thrown out cases. Digital evidence management systems have revolutionized this aspect by minimizing human error and providing an efficient way to access and share evidence when necessary.

Magnet Forensics offers an extensive digital investigation portfolio that includes solutions to extract, analyze, store, collaborate, and report on digital evidence. The Magnet One platform, in particular, was developed to address the demands of digital forensics, such as uniting investigative tools, allowing greater collaboration, and meeting new digital investigation challenges as they arise.²

At its foundation, Magnet One is a cloud-based platform that is built on a centralized and secure digital evidence storage management system. In addition to its evidence storage capabilities, Magnet One offers a robust case management solution built to effectively manage the growing amount of digital evidence. It gives agency leaders easy-to-access, informative, and real-time actionable insights that can be shared across teams.

The platform features integrated and connected investigative solutions that span a case’s life cycle. One of these connected solutions, Magnet Graykey, is a forensic access tool designed to provide police with the ability to access, preserve, and extract encrypted data from mobile devices. With Graykey, digital forensics teams can efficiently gain access to the latest versions of iOS, Android devices, and other operating systems to capture critical insights. A plug-and-play solution provides same-day access to the latest iOS and Android devices.³

Magnet One is built with open application programming interfaces, which allow the platform to easily ingest third-party tools and data and interoperate with them. It can unite Graykey with other digital forensics solutions across an agency’s entire workflow.

Genetec Clearance is also a digital evidence management system designed to address challenges agencies face when collecting, managing, storing, and sharing digital evidence. “Many Genetec Clearance clients were using our video surveillance systems and needed a faster, more secure way to share video exports with different stakeholders while ensuring chain of custody,” said Genetec’s product group director, Erick Ceresato.⁴ This demand led to the development of a solution that simplifies evidence sharing while keeping sensitive information protected.

Since its launch, Clearance has expanded beyond video management to support a variety of digital evidence. The platform now includes case management functionalities and integrates with body-worn cameras, automated license plate readers, surveillance cameras, and many other digital evidence sources. This flexibility allows agencies to consolidate digital evidence in a centralized platform, making it easier to manage and retrieve critical files when needed. Beyond collection and storage, Clearance enhances case and evidence management by integrating with computer-aided dispatch and records management systems, reducing duplication and manual data entry.

Agencies have found many benefits to using Genetec’s digital evidence management system. Real-time crime centers frequently use Clearance to quickly export and share footage from city cameras. Detectives can also use Clearance to request and collect digital evidence from witnesses through their phones or online portals. Officers can even use the system to request video recordings from city cameras while ensuring compliance with proper access protocols. “With Clearance, agencies can identify patterns, track trends, and make data-driven decisions that improve operational effectiveness,” said Ceresato.

Once evidence is collected, the focus shifts to management, where solutions that automate the chain of custody are paramount. “By automating the chain-of-custody process, these systems eliminate human error and provide real-time tracking, allowing law enforcement to focus on their cases rather than worrying about administrative burdens,” said Collin Sharp, regional sales manager at Traka.⁵ Maintaining an unbroken chain of custody is crucial, as any gap can lead to questions about the evidence’s validity.

Traka’s Modular Lockers and Temporary Deposit Lockers offer a secure, automated system in which officers can safely store evidence and reduce the risk of misplacement or tampering. “We are hoping that modern solutions like these modular lockers become commonplace within law enforcement and government operations, as they are a clear advancement beyond outdated and manual methods of handling evidence,” said Sharp.

Built with advanced technology, the lockers feature RFID tagging and an automated access control system to provide a seamless and auditable chain of custody. The lockers are integrated with Traka’s Exchange of Custody (EOC) feature, eliminating the need for immediate face-to-face handovers while maintaining a secure chain of custody. Once an officer deposits the evidence and closes the door, the EOC feature locks out unauthorized personnel from retrieving it. The RFID technology automatically notifies the assigned investigator or technician about who deposited the evidence and where it is stored. The lockers can be equipped with internal charging, ensuring that critical electronic devices—such as mobile phones, tablets, or body-worn cameras—remain powered and intact.

Conclusion

Digital evidence is no longer just an asset; it’s a necessity. It is crucial in nearly every investigation, making it essential for agencies to leverage digital forensics solutions to streamline their workflows and accelerate investigations while upholding compliance and accuracy standards.

As digital forensics technology continues to evolve, the ability to adapt will be the key to ensuring the integrity of evidence in an increasingly complex digital landscape.
Notes:

¹Christa M. Miller, “A Survey of Prosecutors and Investigators Using Digital Evidence: A Starting Point,” Forensic Science International: Synergy 6, December 30, 2022.

²Marketing Team (Magnet Forensics), email interview, April 4, 2025.

³Marketing Team (Magnet Forensics), email interview.

⁴Erick Ceresato (product group director, Genetec), email interview, April 2, 2025.

⁵Collin Sharp (regional sales manager, Traka), email interview, April 3, 2025.

Please cite as

“The Digital Shift in Justice,” Product Feature, Police Chief 92, no. 5 (May 2025): 50–52.