Police Scotland warn that outdated digital forensics have led to a major backlog in criminal cases, with almost 8,000 seized devices still awaiting analysis.
The force say the logjam is causing delays in active investigations, with vital evidence locked inside devices that officers are unable to access.
Data shows there are 2,691 outstanding electronic forensic requests, alongside 7,945 phones and devices still awaiting full examination after only basic checks have been carried out.
It comes as Police Scotland stress digital forensics is critical to modern policing, enabling officers to identify, extract and present digital evidence in around 90% of cases.
They say crucial material from phones, laptops and other devices is used in cases ranging from domestic abuse to the most serious, high-risk crimes.
A stark force report reveals outdated processes pose “substantial risks” to policing, with missed Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal (COPFS) deadlines raising the risk of cases collapsing.
Data shows that in June alone, 201 forensic deadlines were missed.
The report says aging processes also have a negative impact on victims, who experience “prolonged distress” as investigations stall as devices pile up in forensic queues.
Scottish Conservative justice spokesperson Liam Kerr MSP said: “This is yet another warning sign that Scotland’s justice system is being pushed to breaking point after years of SNP cuts and underfunding.
“The new SNP government must now urgently change course or risk more problems mounting up in the justice system.
“The public rightly expect criminals to be caught quickly and victims to see justice delivered without delay, but overstretched officers are being left to battle outdated systems and mounting pressures.
“At the same time, the SNP are undermining confidence in the system further by letting offenders out after serving just 30% of their sentence.”
Scottish Liberal Democrat Justice spokesman Liam McArthur MSP said: “It’s important that the next Scottish Government ensures Police Scotland has the digital tools it needs to thrive while ensuring that civil liberties are appropriately safeguarded.”
Police Scotland, who operate five digital forensic labs in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness, say recruitment freezes and staff departures have left them understrength.
In November, they described the risk to the service as “critical”.
They say the situation has been worsening year on year, with an 11% annual rise in the number of devices submitted for analysis – a trend they expect to continue.
The report highlights a bottleneck between device seizure and investigating officers reviewing extracted material, driven by the lack of remote access to data and no digital forensic data management system, resulting in reliance on manual processes.
In a bid to revolutionise its operations, Police Scotland is developing an ambitious overhaul of Digital Forensics, with an initial business case submission due next month [JUNE].
They say modern, automated systems would enable faster, more secure sharing and improve fairness while reducing delays in justice.
The force report says: “Being able to provide the reporting officer with the ability to review the data when it has been processed immediately allows for investigative avenues to be explored earlier, getting quicker outcomes for victims.”
The Metropolitan Police, Leicestershire Police and Durham Constabulary are said to have shown how automation, data management and improved frontline digital forensic capabilities have “radically improved digital forensics” in their services.
Police Scotland Detective Chief Superintendent Andy Patrick, Head of Cyber and Fraud, said: “Nearly every case we handle now involves a phone or a computer and these devices can hold a vast amount of data which could prove crucial to an investigation.
“We only examine a digital device where there is a legal basis and where it is necessary, justified and proportionate to the incident or crime under investigation.
“Police Scotland is working on improving the way digital devices are examined to allow for secure, remote viewing in a bid to speed up the process.
“I understand it can be distressing for victims to have electronic devices seized and retained as part of enquiries.”
PHOTO Alan Simpson
