Investigator Meetup- Defending Against Cell Phone Location data

In this presentation, we will delve into the critical examination of the FBI’s long-standing practices in call detail record analysis, a methodology that has been utilized in the legal system for over a decade. Initially introduced as a scientific approach, it was never originally intended for determining the precise location of a mobile phone. However, it has gained acceptance based on its perceived scientific merit, and only in recent years have we witnessed challenges.
Our session will provide an evidence-based exploration of the flawed assumptions and practices inherent in call detail record analysis. By scrutinizing the methodologies employed by law enforcement agencies, we will reveal instances where these methods not only fail to place a suspect near a crime scene but also highlight their inherent unreliability.
It’s important to note that this presentation will not cover alternative methods like Truecall, which offer valid approaches for estimating mobile phone locations. Instead, our focus will remain on the shortcomings of the FBI CAST methods, demonstrating their lack of scientific and engineering support.
We will elucidate how Call Detail Records, at best, can only establish a phone’s connection to a specific tower and lack the capability to estimate the tower’s coverage area.