New cyber forensics technology helping Central Coast investigators stay one step ahead of criminals

Most crime can now be traced to a suspect’s digital footprint, and the recently established Central Coast Cyber Forensics Lab is helping investigators stay one step ahead of criminals.

In the first full year since its inception, local detectives have been working with the Secret Service and the FBI to revisit cold cases and prevent crimes like human trafficking.

“The biggest challenge we have is putting somebody at the scene,” Chris Fitzpatrick, a computer forensics specialist with the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office, says. “People like to hide behind a computer for their identities.”

But state-of-the-art techniques is enabling cyber experts like Fitzpatrick to unmask criminals. His unit’s duties include examining, disassembling, extracting and interpreting data from computer hardware, smart phones, data storage devices, DVDs, hard drives, and more.

“Maybe we can’t put that person there with the DNA and the fingerprint -but we can put the device that they own,” he says. “All forms of our life are electronic. So when these crimes happen, everything from crimes against children, to homicide, to just property crime, there’s an electronic component involved.”

Armed with the proper search warrant, Fitzpatrick can access a person’s electronics to search for clues.

“Can be computer, phones cameras, security systems, video game consoles, X-Boxes.”

One way to access somebody’s phone is via a special box that blocks cell and WiFi reception when a device is placed inside.

“That way nobody can remote swipe anything,” Fitzpatrick explains, adding that some computer savvy suspects have managed to erase evidence in the past.

The cyber expert says he’s examined devices in almost 400 cases in the last year, a change in pace from the past as the Sheriff’s Department played catch up.

“We know you were there because so and so said you did this. It’s really hard to deny that when we’re able to produce phone records, and to show the connection where we know on this date and this time you made that call.”

The Central Coast Cyber Forensics Lab tools have helped identify possible human traffickers, and stay one step ahead of child predators.

“One of our local residents was a 20 year-old male and he was involved in an online relationship with underage girls from Minnesota. There’s been cases that they’ve been able, through a phone, to just track movements across the country.”

It’s also given law enforcement the opportunity to revisit cold cases.

“If we only had some of this technology back in the 90’s, some of these crimes would not go unsolved for the length they did.”

Fitzpatrick says the cyber component is just another means towards physical proof, though.

“Eventually [digital clues] lead to a brick and mortar address.. to a house,” Fitzpatrick said.

And he says technology is both a tool — and his biggest challenge.

“Technology is always changing. With the Android phones, and the Apple phones, it’s kind of an arms race to stay in front of them.”