Monitor 05 · Recommendations overdue

Digital Forensics Monitor

Digital evidence is central to modern stalking and harassment cases. In December 2022 HMICFRS found forces overwhelmed and ineffective, with over 25,000 devices awaiting examination and victims waiting up to 18 months for results. VNS monitors this because device backlogs mean evidence clearing a victim may sit unexamined for months while the investigation continues against them.

Last updated 2 June 2026

Devices awaiting examination (August 2022): 25,000+
Maximum wait in some forces before examination began: 18 months
Recommendations made, no progress report since: 9
Of all criminal cases in England and Wales carry a digital element: 90%

Key findings of the 2022 inspection

Forces overwhelmed and, in some cases, unclear what digital forensics means
No clear and coherent national plan for improvement
Victims' needs rarely considered when devices were seized
An enormous gulf in performance between forces, a postcode lottery
Private data retained on seized victim devices for months with no deletion protocol
Some forces examining devices within weeks; others took 18 months to begin

Nine recommendations, deadlines passed

April 2023 (Home Office): review of digital forensics budgets and future funding
April 2023 (College of Policing): digital courses must focus on investigations and victims' needs
June 2023 (NPCC): guidance on cloud-based storage with legal and governance frameworks
September 2023 (NPCC and all forces): digital forensic kiosks in governance and oversight frameworks
April 2024 (NPCC / College): increase trained digital media investigators available to advise at crime scenes
November 2024 (Chief Constables): integrate digital forensic services under existing forensic science structure
November 2024 (Home Office / NPCC): design an alternative operating model with College and private sector
Ongoing (Forensic Science Regulator): ensure compliance with the Code of Practice (Version 2 in force October 2025)
Ongoing (NPCC): appoint a national digital forensics policing lead

Since the inspection

April 2025 · Police Digital Service

Deloitte contracted for Digital Forensics Programme

PDS signed Deloitte under a £2.3m contract; the Home Office had separately allocated £10.4m to reduce backlogs. A national lead was appointed. The programme represents the first coordinated national response to the 2022 findings.

September 2025 · Westminster Commission

30,000 prosecutions collapsed

The Westminster Commission on Forensic Science reported that more than 30,000 prosecutions in England and Wales collapsed between October 2020 and September 2024 because of issues with lost, damaged and missing evidence. Forensic science described as in a graveyard spiral of decline.

2025 · FOI data

Half of Digital Forensics Units reporting vacancies

FOI data gathered in 2025 found around half of all DFUs reporting staff vacancies. Hertfordshire had 11 vacancies leaving only 23 full-time staff. Kent needed 10 more officers. A serving investigator described the situation as a sinking ship: 'Our backlog is getting worse every week.'

February 2026 · West Mercia

Force transformation paused after delivering 20%

PCC documents reveal the force's digital forensics transformation, begun Spring 2024, was paused in March 2025 after delivering only 20% of its minimum viable product. Reasons: inadequate discovery, weak supplier governance, poor requirements baselining, personnel turnover. The force is requesting an additional £875k to restart it.

The computer evidence presumption review

On 21 January 2025 the MoJ launched a call for evidence on the use of evidence generated by software in criminal proceedings, prompted by Post Office Horizon. The consultation closed on 15 April 2025. As of May 2026, over thirteen months later, no government response has been published. The consultation explicitly asked whether the current presumption is fit for purpose in cases of violence against women and girls.

The Watch