Forensic Cell Site Analysis: Mobile Network Operator Evidence Integrity Maintenance Research

Abstract

Mobile Network Operator (MNO) and Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) evidence have become an important evidentiary focus in the courtroom. This type of evidence is routinely produced as business records under U.S. Federal Rules of Evidence for use in the emerging discipline of Forensic Cell Site Analysis. The research was undertaken to determine if evidence produced by operators should be classified as digital evidence and, if so, what evidence handling methodologies are appropriate to ensure evidence integrity. This research project resulted in the creation of a method of determining if business records produced by MNO/MVNO organizations are digital evidence and whether evidentiary integrity is maintained in the conveyance of evidence between MNO/MVNO records custodians, law enforcement investigators and attorneys in criminal and civil cases. Block-chain based Distributed Ledger Technology was examined as a feasible evidence integrity maintenance solution.