Force policy relating to the authorised release of digital evidence.

The request was successful.

Stephen Haslett

Dear Derbyshire Constabulary,

Under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act (2000), could you please provide me information regarding current police policy that authorises the release of evidence to commercial companies as instructed by legal clients in defence cases.

Can you please provide documentation of your forces policy relating to the release of (i) digital forensic images (covering evidential computer devices such as hard disk drives and memory cards), and (ii) physical digital devices, covering evidential items such as smartphones and satellite navigation devices.

Your assistance in this matter is greatly appreciated.

Yours faithfully,

Stephen Haslett

Freedom of Information Office, Derbyshire Constabulary

Good Morning Mr Haslett,

 

I write in connection with your request for information as shown below.

 

Under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act (2000), could you please
provide me information regarding current police policy that authorises the
release of evidence to commercial companies as instructed by legal clients
in defence cases.

 

Can you please provide documentation of your forces policy relating to the
release of (i) digital forensic images (covering evidential computer
devices such as hard disk drives and memory cards), and (ii) physical
digital devices, covering evidential items such as smartphones and
satellite navigation devices.

 

Your request will now be considered in accordance with the Freedom of
Information Act 2000 (the Act). You should expect to receive a response
within the statutory timescale of 20 working days as defined by the Act,
subject to the information not being exempt or containing a reference to a
third party. In some circumstances Derbyshire Constabulary may be unable
to achieve this deadline. If this is likely you will be informed and given
a revised timescale at the earliest opportunity.

 

There may be a fee payable for the retrieval, collation and provision of
the information you request. If this is the case you will be informed and
the 20 working day timescale will be suspended until we receive payment
from you. If you choose not to make payment then your request will remain
unanswered.

 

Some requests may also require either full or partial transference to
another public authority in order to answer your query in the fullest
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Should you have any further enquiries concerning this matter, please write
or contact the Freedom of Information Officer, on the telephone number
below quoting the reference number shown in the header of this e-mail.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Fraser Shaw

Disclosure Assistant

Freedom Of Information

Information Management Section

Derbyshire Constabulary

HQ

Tel: 0300 122 8752 (Internal 75 16476)

E-mail: [1][email address]

Web: [2]http://www.derbyshire.police.uk

 

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References

Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
2. http://www.derbyshire.police.uk/

Freedom of Information Office, Derbyshire Constabulary

Good Morning Mr Haslett,

Thank you for your recent FOI concerning the above which is currently
receiving attention.

However, in order to best respond I seek clarification on the following
point. 

Can you confirm please regarding the second question of your FOI request:
Can you please provide documentation of your forces policy relating to the
release of (i) digital forensic images (covering evidential computer
devices such as hard disk drives and memory cards), and (ii) physical
digital devices, covering evidential items such as smartphones and
satellite navigation devices.

In what circumstances would the above be released? Do you mean as the
initial question mentioned ‘release of evidence to commercial companied as
instructed by legal clients in defence cases’

I also need to add that pending receipt of this clarification I have
placed your request on hold where it will remain for 20 working days and
that if nothing is received within this period I will assume that the
information is no longer required and close the FOI down marked as
‘withdrawn’.

Thank you,

 

Fraser Shaw

Disclosure Assistant

Freedom Of Information

Information Management Section

Derbyshire Constabulary

HQ

Tel: 0300 122 8752 (Internal 75 16476)

E-mail: [1][email address]

Web: [2]http://www.derbyshire.police.uk

 

PLEASE NOTE: This e-mail message is intended solely for the person to whom
it is addressed and may contain information of a confidential or legally
privileged nature which should not be disclosed. If you have received this
message in error, please notify the sender immediately and delete the
message and any attachments or copies. Any review, re-transmission,
dissemination or other use of, or taking action in reliance upon, this
message by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is
prohibited. Any views or opinions expressed in this e-mail are solely
those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of
Derbyshire Constabulary or any other person and Derbyshire Constabulary
does not accept liability for any statement or opinion expressed. Please
be aware Derbyshire Constabulary monitors all internet e-mail activity and
content to maintain system performance and appropriate business usage.

 

WEBSITE: Join the policing family at Derbyshire Constabulary. For more
details visit http://www.derbyshire.police.uk

 

WARNING: E-mail may be susceptible to data corruption, interception,
viruses, unauthorised amendments and unforeseen delays. All e-mail has
been scanned for viruses, but Derbyshire Constabulary cannot accept
liability for any loss or damage incurred as a result of virus infection
or any other data corruption, interception, unauthorised amendment or
delay.

 

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
2. http://www.derbyshire.police.uk/

Stephen Haslett

Dear Freedom of Information Office,

To clarify the second point of my request, the circumstances I refer to is specifically in relation to when a commercial company is directed by a defence team to carry out a digital forensic analysis of evidence recovered and held by police.

The commercial company formally requests physical access to the evidence to carry out forensic analysis.

I hope this clarifies my request.

Yours sincerely,

Stephen Haslett

Freedom of Information Office, Derbyshire Constabulary

3 Attachments

Mr Haslett

 

Thank you for making a Freedom of Information request to the Derbyshire
Constabulary.

 

Please find attached our response.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

 

Kevin Lea

Freedom of Information Officer

Derbyshire Constabulary, Police Headquarters, Butterley Hall, Ripley,
Derbyshire.  DE5 3RS

Tel: 101   Direct Dial: 0300 122 5487 

Email: [1][email address]

Web: [2]http://www.derbyshire.police.uk

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