In a day where cell phones are attached to people’s hip, that means police work has become increasingly more technological. Cell phone data has been used for thousands of cases nationwide.
However, for the Grimes County Sheriff’s Office, getting data off phones the last few years has been a tough time. Investigator John Wren presented a new software called Cellebrite the office wants to purchase, so they can easily access all that data.
“Being able to take a cell phone obtained for evidence, from either the victim or suspect, by consent or by search warrant, connect the phone to the computer, which downloads the data. Then, we can go in, and access all the data without having to mess with the actual phone,” Wren said.
He says in the past, when they have needed data, they have to piggyback on another agencies technology
“Even more importantly, you going off their priority list. So if you have a bank robbery, murder case, what have you, and you are going to another agency for help…if they have their own murder or something to deal with, then they will work on yours. So, you are always at the mercy of someone else to help you,” said Wren.
Initial costs for installing and utilizing the software is $6,700, with an average cost of about $6,100 per month after that.
The Commissioner’s took no action on the software, and will come back to take action on it at a later date.
