Specialist training courses to tackle surge in electronic evidence

The College of Policing has launched three digital training courses to help cut crime and ensure forces keep pace with the huge rise in the use of digital evidence.

The courses are designed to build skills for investigators in England and Wales and help officers improve their ability to recognise digital opportunities to pursue criminals.

• The Digital investigators foundation course helps investigators effectively identify, preserve and analyse digital evidence to maintain the evidential integrity required for court proceedings. It focusses on the purpose and role of digital investigations and understanding the investigative opportunities created through data storage.
• With wireless networks now installed in most homes, businesses and public spaces, the new Digital investigations Wi-Fi technology and evidence course addresses what experts term ‘the invisible crime scene.’ This programme teaches investigators to understand how to identify devices connected to a network, Wi-Fi survey techniques, and to develop a technical understanding of how to perform router examinations.
• The third new training package focusses on the vast amounts of data vehicles store about journeys, speeds, locations and driver behaviour, potentially creating a detailed digital witness to criminal activity. The Digital investigations connected vehicles course tackles an issue many forces report about missing crucial evidence through the lack of specialist knowledge.

The College of Policing’s Sarra Fotheringham, Policing Standards Manager (Cyber Crime), said: “Digital evidence is now part of almost every investigation, but we know that without the right training, crucial evidence can be missed or compromised.

“These courses are designed to give officers the practical skills they need to investigate crime effectively in the digital age - from understanding what evidence exists, to knowing how to handle it properly for court.”

The courses combine hands-on technical training with real-world operational scenarios. They are delivered by College of Policing specialists who fully understand the technical complexities and practical pressures facing modern investigators.