Behind the scenes of Nova Scotia RCMP’s Digital Forensics Services

When cell phones are seized by Nova Scotia RCMP during search warrants, they are taken to the Digital Forensics Services laboratory.

The team consists of approximately 13 members, both uniformed and civilian. They support frontline members during investigations.

“We handle everything related to electronic devices, whether it is a mobile phone, computer, video recorder, dash cam, USB, external drive. Anything that is electronic and may contain data,” Cst. Dominic Laflamme said.

“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 the devices are received, they arrive broken or deliberately smashed during the arrest.

“Our job is to repair the device and try to restore the data, and we usually have good success doing that,” he said.

Even the newest entertainment consoles in vehicles can contain rich amounts of data, Laflamme said.

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

“Sometimes we can access those contacts on the phone, call logs in the infotainment system, and even some data on the vehicle, such as whether the vehicle was driven at a particular time, where it is, its speed, its coordinates.”

Digital Forensics Services is a busy department, and Laflamme notes that it’s as if when one case is closed, two more are opened.

Photo of devices available at Nova Scotia RCMP’s Digital Forensics Services. (Stephanie Tsicos/CTV News)

“Nowadays, everyone has a mobile phone, sometimes even more than one, and then computers and other electronic devices that they own become very important when it comes to investigating and solving crime, as these devices contain a gold mine of data. ”

He said the team works with all types of investigations.

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

“We could go as far as domestic violence, which is actually the kind of investigation where we can find evidence of text messages sent, threats and things like that. Threatening is one thing. “Homicide, shooting, major crime, financial crime, we are often involved in every phase of every investigation these days.”

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

“When they get a search warrant, we usually work with them, assist them in their search, analyze the data at the scene,” Laflamme said. “We are supporting the unit so that they can finally arrest people who abuse children. “As sad as it is, it’s very, very rewarding to know that we’re ultimately doing something good and helping kids.”

As technology evolves, so do things. Laflamme said members are trained throughout the year to keep up with changes.

Photo of a mobile phone. (Stephanie Tsicos/CTV News)

“Frontline members currently respond to many complaints on social media, whether threats or harassment, and when they investigate they often seize either a computer or a mobile phone,” he said.

“I can say that 10 years ago we did not see this type of crime so often. “We see these almost every day these days.”

Another area on their radar is artificial intelligence.

“Artificial intelligence is very new. “I haven’t had a case involving AI yet, but we know it’s going to come up, and we’ve had some cases where AI is believed to be involved, whether it’s manipulation of photography or AI-generated threats,” Laflamme said. “We’re aware of that and we’re preparing for it.”

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