How Prosecutors Can Use MDI To Prevent Re-Victimization

Re-victimization in police investigations refers to a situation where a victim of a crime, particularly a sensitive or traumatic crime, experiences further distress or trauma due to the investigative process. Trauma can occur when law enforcement, intentionally or unintentionally, subjects the victim to actions, questions, or procedures that cause them to relive or exacerbate their trauma. 

Re-victimization can make it tricky for investigators to get the evidence they need. It can hinder the investigation by making victims less likely to cooperate with prosecutors to provide accurate information or engage in the legal process.

Recognizing the potential for revictimization, many prosecutors have adopted trauma-informed approaches to investigations. These approaches emphasize empathy, sensitivity, and understanding towards victims of crime, aiming to reduce any additional harm caused during the investigation process. Investigators may avoid re-victimization by obtaining evidence rapidly and in a single interaction with the victim.

Use MDI to Prevent Re-victimization 

ADF’s Mobile Device Investigator (MDI) saves victims from having to come in and be victimized. MDI accomplishes this task by giving prosecutors the ability to obtain screenshots and screen recordings from a victim’s mobile devices. Screen recordings and screenshots act as visual evidence that can provide a clear representation of the activities and content.

Prosecutors can use MDI to capture crucial information, including…

• App usage 
• Messages 
• Social media interactions 
• Web browsing history 
• Images
• Videos, and more. 

Prosecutors also must run preservation letters and ensure they ask for account information, recovery e-mails, and recovery phone numbers. Mobile Device Investigator helps investigators and prosecutors find account information to quickly execute Preservation Orders and Requests for legal proceedings, which can make all the difference in cases where victims can disappear with crucial evidence.

MDI is an innovative solution that makes it easy for prosecutors to obtain evidence in front of the victim. 

Prosecutors can show the victim what they are doing, where the evidence is, and what they collected. By using MDI to collect evidence next to the victim, prosecutors build trust. A screenshot of a victim's digital interactions can provide invaluable insights into the circumstances surrounding the crime, all without subjecting the victim to additional distress.

The Mobile Device Investigator mobile forensics software tool is user-friendly and requires minimal training. Prosecutors can connect a suspect device via a USB port to quickly collect evidence and perform a fast logical acquisition of up to 4GB of data per minute. Speed is imperative in cases where a victim feels unsure about working with prosecutors and investigators.

 Leverage the power of MDI to conduct…

• Screen Recordings for Android and iOS Devices (up to Android 14 and iOS 16)
• Screenshots: auto-scroll when taking screenshots of long pages on Android
• Capture and organize screenshots of connected devices while navigating with automatic OCR processing to extract and index text for search, annotation, and reporting
• Identify files or artifacts containing terms related to child exploitation
• Categorize files that match Project VIC or CAID datasets in real-time
• Customize reports to show specific columns redact pictures, and export to HTML, CSV, or PDF

MDI Empowering Prosecutors and Victims

Re-victimization is a troubling aspect of investigations that demands attention and innovative solutions. By prioritizing victims' well-being through the application of trauma-informed approaches and the integration of advanced technologies like MDI, prosecutors can not only prevent further harm to victims but also enhance the effectiveness of investigations.

Learn how MDI is helping prosecutors navigate the delicate balance between evidence collection and compassionate treatment.