Cell Phone Investigation Techniques
September 23, 2025 @ 8:00 am - September 24, 2025 @ 4:00 pm
Provided by: Northeast Counterdrug Training Center
Co-hosted by: Law Enforcement Officer Regional Training Center – LEORTC; U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Michigan; MAGLOCLEN
It has become increasingly difficult for law enforcement to successfully exploit cell phones due to the evolution of smartphone technology. Criminals’ heavy reliance on cell phones makes it crucial for police officers to learn common cell phone terminology and understand the data they receive from cell phone companies. Historical cell-site data and specialized location records have been utilized in hundreds of investigations to successfully track a criminal or put them near a crime scene. Information will be presented during this block of instructions on the benefits of using these records, the limitations of the records, and the best software to map the records. Smartphone Applications (APPS) have become the preferred method of communication for criminals. Although the content of many APPS is encrypted, there are digital imprints left behind on the actual device. Information will be presented on various APPS, as well as the types of data that can be obtained from the APP providers. Wiretap investigations can produce very powerful and overwhelming evidence of guilt; The course will provide students with the fundamental aspects of developing wiretap investigations, uses and analyzing of pen registers. The final blocks of instruction will involve the use of cell phone geo fences around a crime scene and Wi-Fi router interrogation. These advanced techniques have proven extremely useful in hundreds of investigations. This two-day training course will provide officers with a comprehensive approach to exploiting cellular telephones.
Date and Time: September 23-24, 2025, sign-ins 7:30am, class 8:00am – 4:00pm
Location: Mott Community College – Southern Lakes campus, 2100 W. Thompson Road, Fenton, MI 48430
Cost: This course is free
To Register: Visit the Northeast Counterdrug Training Center’s website at www.counterdrug.org
•Click on Northeast Counterdrug Training Center “Enter Site”
•Find the training that you would like to register for under Upcoming Training and select “Register”
•Log into your NCTC account (an NCTC account is required to register for training)
•Agree to the Terms and Conditions
•Click on “Register”