Behind-the-scenes with Nova Scotia RCMPs Digital Forensics Services [Video]

When cellphones are seized by Nova Scotia RCMP during search warrants, they end up in the Digital Forensics Services lab.

The team is made up of around 13 members — both uniform and civilian. They support frontline members during investigations.

“We handle everything that’s electronic devices, whether we’re talking about a cellphone, computer, a video recorder, dashcam, USB, external drive. Everything that’s electronic and may contain data,” said Cst. Dominic Laflamme.

“These devices will be sent to us for examination and our role is to support the investigation by extracting the data from these devices.”

Sometimes when they get the devices, they come in broken or smashed deliberately during arrest.

“Our job is to try to restore the data by repairing the device, which we usually have a good success doing that,” he said.

Laflamme said even the newer entertainment consoles in vehicles can contain a wealth of data.

“These …