Shortened forensic reports whether that be SFR1s (Streamlined Forensic Report Stage 1), Abbreviated Forensic Statements or Results Reports are being encountered with increasing regularity in cases involving DNA and more widely amongst different areas of forensic science. These short report formats give the results of the DNA analyses undertaken, often in a piecemeal approach.

Footwear mark examinations can vary enormously, from simply coding the ‘pattern type’ of a mark and a suspect’s shoes (to determine if they are worthy of further work), to carrying out full evidential comparisons. In recent years, an increasing number of police footwear mark units have gained UKAS accreditation and have the expertise to produce evidential statements. However, on occasions we continue to see what are essentially ‘screening reports’ which, in the absence of follow-up work, have become the de-facto evidence.

Prosecution errors in requesting IP address evidence can cause issues. Getting the information, however, is only half of the issue - understanding what its evidential value is, is just as important.

EncroChat guaranteed users anonymity by automatically deleting messages remotely and completely wiping data if anyone tried to hack the device or access messages. EncroChat realised that its service had been infiltrated in the middle of June, but the exact date of the interception may have been months earlier. This was a coordinated effort across Europe. The actual method used for the hack/interception is unclear at this stage. Many of the suspects arrested were released under investigation or released on police bail after the initial police interviews. Others are still to be arrested.

A huge amount of data has been obtained but it doesn’t necessarily establish criminality. Lawyers, Bankers, Family Offices may also use EncroChat or one of the many alternatives that’s still around.

A wave of arrests were made following a targeted hacking of EncroChat devices. A collaboration between UK, Irish and European Police agencies resulted in a “significant,” number of arrests being made, the seizure of 15 phones using EncroChat software and £360,000 in cash, in what has been described as the “largest and most significant enforcement operation,” mounted by UK police in response to organized crime groups.

‘The gangland figures murdered the hits ordered on EncroChat: How killings of Salford's 'Mr Big' Paul Massey and mob 'fixer' John Kinsella were called in using encrypted phone network’.

Operations were carried out across Europe as a result of police accessing millions of messages sent using the encrypted messaging network, EncroChat. 746 suspected top tier criminals who are believed to be involved in murder, gun smuggling and drug trafficking crimes were arrested, 54 million in cash was seized and 1.45 tons of cocaine seized.

‘Marketed as the “world’s most secure handset,” ,’ banks, online shops, even WhatsApp use end-to-end encryption. What most people will see if they try and hack into the system is jumbled up data which is unintelligible. The phones have two modes; normal operating mode and encryption mode. Operation Venetic was described by the NCA as “the biggest and most significant operation of its kind in the UK”. The NCA got into the system and read the messages.

EncroChat unlocked: Gangland Untouchables exposed as police read secret texts of assassins and drug smugglers.

British and European Law enforcement agencies gained critical access to crypto-communications among organized crime groups, and significant insight into the manoeuvres and actions of various suspects involved, including many ‘Gangland Untouchables’ who “thought they would never be caught,”. It has dealt a major blow to organized crime groups in the UK and led to seizures on a significant scale, with one cash seizure being the largest since Scotland Yard was founded in 1829.