The defence team will instruct an expert in Cell Site Analysis, to review the prosecution’s Cell Site report. This review will;
Once the Cell Site Review has been undertaken, in order to fulfil the obligations of the defence counsel, it will be necessary to re-examine some or all of the cell site analysis work. This is done to ensure that the original readings are accurate as an incorrect reading could mean that the suspect has been attributed to a place that he or she wasn’t. The examination aspect is conducted utilising the same methodology used for a full re-examination (see below).
The analysis is generally conducted in one of two ways:
One.
Travelling to each location of interest highlighted by the prosecution and taking measurements to determine the best serving cell or cells with respect to each specific location. This is known as a Spot Report.
Two.
Travelling in and around the area covered by a particular cell to determine the overall coverage. This is known as a Full Coverage Report. The Full Coverage Report frequently involves numerous hours of cell site readings, depending on the geographic area covered by the cell. It should be noted that cells located in city centres generally will cover a smaller area than those located in rural areas.
Both Spot Report and Full Coverage Reporting methods provide a validated indication to the coverage of the cell, however, a Full Coverage Report can geographically be represented on a map to show the extent of coverage with the most probable areas or locations where the call is most likely to have been connected.
Spot Reports will only show the coverage measured at specific locations and does not represent other areas where a call may have connected. Each case has to be determined as to which is the appropriate examination is to be used.
The specialist network equipment used to conduct these measurements is essentially a mobile phone enabled with specialised software and a GPS system which is installed within a vehicle. This bespoke equipment will allow the user to monitor, or if necessary adapt, the way in which a mobile phone responds to the network. This bespoke equipment is also connected to a GPS system which can record the precise location where each measurement is taken.
All the measurements recorded by the Cell Site Analysis Expert are then compiled into log files, which are then analysed back at the laboratory. The analysis of this data is manually undertaken and is often very time-consuming. The data is then plotted onto ordinance survey maps to show which cells provide coverage with respect to a single location, or the full coverage plots.
The results of the readings are used to compile a new report. The new report is then analysed against those from the prosecution’s report, to ascertain if there are any discrepancies. If any discrepancies are found, they assist in the defence by discrediting the prosecution’s evidence or if its inaccurate, the prosecution’s evidence/case is likely to be thrown out.
All findings are compiled in a clear and concise report with associated ordinance survey maps of varying scales, to visually represent locations of interest and cell coverage.
Cell Site Analysis is predominantly used by the prosecution to prove the whereabouts of a mobile phone at a particular date and time.
It is important to note that Cell Site Analysis only proves where the phone was, not the user. Further analysis is required to ascertain if the phone was in the possession of the suspect by examining activity such as texting, phone calls, browsing and app usage.
Disklabs has a team of Cell Site Analysis experts ready to support you. Our commitment to all-in pricing, wherever possible, means that we avoid hidden extras as the trial process continues.
Call us on +44(0)1827 50000 or use our contact form to let us know your requirements today.
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