Technology that allows police officers to gather data from digital devices without the need for a password is to be rolled out from next week. <\/p>\n
Police Scotland confirmed on Tuesday that the so-called cyber kiosks - digital triage devices - will be given to officers on January 20. <\/p>\n
The kiosks are laptop-sized machines that enable the user to override encryption on devices such as mobile phones and tablets.<\/p>\n
Technology was due to be deployed earlier but the roll-out was hit by delays as MSPs called for greater clarity over the legal framework for their use.<\/p>\n
A total of 14 kiosks have already been bought by Police Scotland and will be located across all policing divisions. <\/p>\n
It is expected all of the kiosks will be operational before May 1.<\/p>\n
Police Scotland believe having the kiosks will allow lines of inquiry to be progressed at a faster pace, with officers being able to return mobile devices to their owners when they are having to assess them for potential evidence.<\/p>\n
Officers will only examine the device of an individual when there is a legal basis and it is \"necessary, justified and proportionate\" to the crime under investigation.<\/p>\n
They will not be enabled to store data from any devices and when an examination is complete all data will be securely deleted.<\/p>\n
Deputy Chief Constable Malcolm Graham said having the ability to quickly assess which devices either do or do not contain evidence on them will minimise the intrusion into people's lives.<\/p>\n
\"We are committed to providing the best possible service to victims and witnesses of crime,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"This means we must keep pace with society. People of all ages now lead a significant part of their lives online and this is reflected in how we investigate crime and the evidence we present to courts.<\/p>\n
\"Many online offences disproportionately affect the most vulnerable people in our society, such as children at risk of sexual abuse, and our priority is to protect those people.\"<\/p>\n
He added: \"Increases in the involvement of digital devices in investigations and the ever-expanding capabilities of these devices mean that demand on digital forensic examinations is higher than ever.<\/p>\n
\"Current limitations, however, mean the devices of victims, witnesses and suspects can be taken for months at a time, even if it later transpires that there is no worthwhile evidence on them.<\/p>\n
\"By quickly identifying devices which do and do not contain evidence, we can minimise the intrusion on people's lives and provide a better service to the public.\"<\/p>\n
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