Cracking the Backlog: Smarter Strategies for Managing Digital Evidence

In today’s digital landscape, evidence is everywhere—but if you’re an investigator, you know this. As devices proliferate and data volumes explode, digital forensic investigators are facing an increasingly common and frustrating reality: case backlogs that grow faster than they shrink.

If you're in the trenches of digital investigations, you've likely asked yourself at least once: How can I move cases forward faster—without compromising the quality of my work?

The answer often lies not in working harder, but in working smarter. And that begins with asking a critical question:

Are you using the right tools and workflow for the job?

The Problem with “All-In-One” Tools
Many labs rely on traditional, full-file forensic suites for every step of the process, from early evidence identification to deep analysis. These tools are powerful, no doubt—But are they the most efficient tool for each phase of your investigation? Using a full file tool to determine if a device contains relevant evidence quickly is like using a firehose to water a plant.  Overkill doesn’t make it right–it just wastes resources and time.  In most cases today, time is not a luxury that investigators have; they need to identify relevant evidence fast. When labs use full-file tools for initial evidence review or field triage, they often bottleneck their workflows. This not only delays the investigative process but also ties up valuable resources that could be better spent on more in-depth analysis where it truly matters.

Smart Strategies to Crack the Backlog
To reduce case backlogs, forensic investigators need to move beyond the traditional, one-size-fits-all workflow and adopt a more strategic, tiered approach to their digital investigations. A lack of effort rarely causes backlogs—they stem from overwhelming data volumes, limited resources, and tools that aren’t optimized for speed or efficiency. A smarter strategy begins with identifying what devices need to be examined first and applying the appropriate tools at the right stage of your investigation. By using a tool designed for early evidence identification, examiners can quickly surface actionable leads, prioritize evidence, and determine where deeper analysis is needed. This front-loaded approach saves valuable time, minimizes unnecessary full-disk imaging, and ensures that lab resources are reserved for deep analysis at the right stage of the investigative workflow—where they’re needed most. 

Here are some proven tactics:

1. Use the right tool- Don’t use a firehose to water your plant 
In digital investigations, choosing the right tool is essential—especially when time is of the essence. When speed matters, investigators need a targeted tool that enables them to quickly zero in on relevant devices and data in the field, without unnecessary immediate full-file processing overhead.

2. Update your workflow- Adopt an Early Evidence Identifying Mindset 
Quickly identify high-value evidence before full processing. Use tools designed specifically for early evidence identification to preview data, prioritize devices, and determine relevance in the field or early in lab intake-cutting investigation time in half. 

3. Train Frontline Personnel
Empowering officers and investigators with easy-to-use, guided tools can help you collect critical evidence on-scene, before it ever hits your forensic lab. Early extraction and filtering reduce unnecessary device intake.

4. Automate Where Possible
From evidence and intelligence collection, through processing and AI classifying and tagging, to analysis, reporting, and collaboration.  Automation streamlines and cuts time off your investigation. Look for tools that generate standardized reports or extract key data points automatically.

5. Reevaluate Your Tool Stack Regularly
Technology evolves quickly. If you're still relying on the same toolkit you used five years ago, it's time to ask yourself: Are these tools still serving our needs properly, or are they part of the problem?

The Bottom Line
Backlogs don’t just drain resources—they delay justice. The good news is, reducing them isn’t about doing more with less; it’s about doing more with the right tools and strategies.

So ask yourself:

Am I using the best tool for each stage of the investigation—or just the one I’ve always used?
The future of digital forensics lies in flexibility, speed, and smarter workflows. With the right approach, cracking the backlog is not just possible—it’s inevitable. Let us help you crack your backlog. Contact one of our product specialists today. Just a few minutes of your time today could save you so much time in a future investigation.