Cell phone seizures can be a great investigatory tool. Data may be retained on the telephone itself, in removable media, or at the service provider. It’s important to note that information held by the service provider is time sensitive. There are no standardized or required retentino periods for this information. Failure to preserve or obtain the information quickly may render the information permanently unavailable.
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When seizing cell phones, remember the following:
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Data can be lost if the battery dies.
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Keypad-locked passwords, which are activated when cell phones are turned off, can be difficult to defeat.
- Phones left on should be protected from radio frequency signals by placing them in a container that blocks these signals (e.g., Faraday cage, clean metal paint can). Be aware that in doing so, the battery may drain faster because it will continue to search for a signal.
NOTE: All Bluetooth-enabled devices being used by law enforcement should be turned off prior to entering a search scene because wireless synchronization may occur with media located at the scene.