Specialist training to tackle surge in digital evidence

Three specialist training courses are available to help police forces across England and Wales keep pace with the dramatic rise in digital evidence found in modern criminal cases. These courses are:

• digital investigators foundation
• digital investigations wifi technology and evidence
• digital investigations connected vehicles

Senior investigators warn that almost every crime now leaves some form of electronic footprint, with digital evidence becoming crucial to securing successful prosecutions across everything from common crimes like fraud and theft to major organised criminal investigations.

Digital evidence is now part of almost every investigation, but we know that without the right training, crucial evidence can be missed or compromised. 

These courses are designed to give officers the practical skills they need to investigate crime effectively in the digital age – from understanding what evidence exists to knowing how to handle it properly for court."

Sarra Fotheringham, Policing Standards Manager (Cyber Crime), College of Policing

The three new specialist courses have been designed to address what training experts describe as a critical skills gap in forces nationwide, where traditional investigation techniques are no longer sufficient to tackle modern crime patterns.

Digital investigators foundation

The digital investigators foundation course provides essential groundwork that every digital investigator now needs. Senior training instructors report that officers completing this programme show dramatically improved ability to recognise digital opportunities across all investigation types, from theft and fraud to serious assault and terrorism cases.

The course ensures investigators can effectively identify, preserve and analyse digital evidence whilst maintaining the evidential integrity required for court proceedings – a skill that has become non-negotiable in modern policing.

Go to digital investigators foundation course

Wifi technology and evidence

With wireless networks now ubiquitous in homes, businesses and public spaces, the new digital investigations wifi technology and evidence course addresses what experts call ‘the invisible crime scene’.

The programme teaches investigators to extract and interpret network data, identify connected devices, and conduct technical surveys that can provide crucial intelligence about criminal activity and suspect behaviour patterns.

Go to wifi technology and evidence course

Connected vehicles

Perhaps the most revolutionary development covered in the training is the digital investigations connected vehicles course, which tackles what investigators describe as ‘computers on wheels’.

Modern vehicles store vast amounts of data about journeys, speeds, locations and driver behaviour, creating what amounts to a detailed digital witness to criminal activity. As this technology becomes standard across all vehicle types, forces report missing crucial evidence through lack of specialist knowledge.

Go to connected vehicles

Expert-led, operationally focused

All three courses combine hands-on technical training with real-world operational scenarios, delivered by experts who understand both the technical complexities and the practical pressures facing modern investigators.

The training has been designed to help officers maximise digital evidence opportunities whilst maintaining the highest professional standards required for successful prosecutions, with course content regularly updated to reflect the latest technological developments and legal requirements.

With criminal exploitation of technology showing no signs of slowing, these courses represent a critical investment in maintaining investigative effectiveness.