Digital crime and policing
Part of: Behind the frontline Protecting people from violence and abuse Protecting people online
Digital crimes are those which can be increased in scale by the use of computers, computer networks and the internet. This includes cyber-enabled fraud and data theft.
Most crimes today have a digital footprint – a trail of data that is left behind by users of digital services. And electronic evidence (found on computers, smartphones, remote storage, smart devices and more) is part of almost all criminal activities.
All of this means police need to adapt and develop digital forensics. This branch of forensic science focuses on identifying, acquiring, processing, analysing, and reporting on data stored electronically.
It aims to extract data from the electronic evidence, process it into intelligence the police can use to investigate crime, and present the findings for prosecution.
Digital crime and forensics investigations
An inspection into how well the police and other agencies use digital forensics in their investigations – 1 December 2022
We examined the provision of digital forensics in police forces and regional organised crime units. We considered whether they understood and could manage their demand, and whether victims of crime were receiving a quality service.
We made nine recommendations to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of digital forensic services.
Real lives, real crimes: a study of digital crime and policing – 22 December 2015
This study helped us understand better the effect that digital technology has on crime and policing, for the purpose of informing our future inspections of police forces and law enforcement agencies.
Related resources
Resources for police forces
- Get Safe Online – tools for identifying online fraud
- National Cyber Security Centre – advice on two-factor authentication