New electronic process coming soon for processing warrants for searching electronic devices
March 28, 2024
Evidence found on lawfully seized electronic devices can provide valuable leads that can help investigators locate abduction victims, document human trafficking activity, identify co-conspirators in homicides, identify threats to schools or religious facilities and much more.
Here are just a few examples:
- Browsing history can help investigators know whether a crime was committed in the heat of the moment or methodically planned in advance.
- Social media interactions can help investigators establish a timeline of a victim’s activities prior to their death.
- Forensic analysis can help investigators identify the source of malware or spyware used in committing cybercrimes.
- Geolocation data can corroborate or refute alibis.
What does that look like in a real case?
The investigation by our Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), the Bemidji Police Department and Beltrami Sheriff’s Office that led to the arrest of Jacob Kinn for the murder of Melissa Norby and the kidnapping and assault of a child is a real-world example. Geolocation data on Kinn’s phone refuted information he offered during questioning on his whereabouts when the crimes were committed. In addition, his social media interactions revealed that Melissa Norby was a co-conspirator in the crimes involving the juvenile victim. Kinn was sentenced to 52 years in prison for the crimes.
In some cases, information found on electronic devices can help prevent future crimes or identify ongoing criminal activities. For instance, information related to plans or threats of future crimes, potential victim lists, or networks of criminal associates can be crucial for law enforcement agencies to intervene effectively.
Our BCA will modernize the way warrants for searching electronic evidence are created and submitted for judicial review in April — taking the process from paper to an application inside the BCA’s eCharging system. Signed warrants will still be available for the public to see just like before, and the meticulous application and review process remains unchanged, but moving it to the app enables the process to move more quickly, saving time during serious investigations where every minute counts. These warrants are an important part of our ongoing effort to prevent and solve crimes all across Minnesota, while operating under strict legal requirements that ensure people’s rights and privacy are maintained.
