In the context of preventing and fighting crime, the analysis of mobile phone traffic, among actors of a criminal network, is helpful in order to reconstruct illegal activities on the basis of the relationships connecting those specific individuals. Thus, forensic analysts and investigators require new advanced tools and techniques which allow them to manage these data in a meaningful and efficient way. In this paper we present LogAnalysis, a tool we developed to provide visual data representation and filtering, statistical analysis features and the possibility of a temporal analysis of mobile phone activities. Its adoption may help in unveiling the structure of a criminal network and the roles and dynamics of communications among its components. Using LogAnalysis, forensic investigators could deeply understand hierarchies within criminal organizations, for e.g., discovering central members who provide connections among different sub-groups, etc. Moreover, by analyzing the temporal evolution of the contacts among individuals, or by focusing on specific time windows they could acquire additional insights on the data they are analyzing. Finally, we put into evidence how the adoption of LogAnalysis may be crucial to solve real cases, providing as example a number of case studies inspired by real forensic investigations led by one of the authors.
Also the analysis of phone call networks has been a subject of intensive study. Mellars @cite_16 investigated the principal ways a phone call network operates and how data are processed. Particular attention has been given to the methodology of investigation of data about the phone activity that it is possible to collect directly from the devices.
@cite_16
2046525174
The proliferation of mobile phones in society has led to a concomitant increase in their use in and connected to criminal activity. The examination and analysis of all telecommunications equipment has become an important aid to law enforcement in the investigation of crime. An understanding of the mechanism of the mobile phone network is vital to appreciate the worth of data retrieved during such an examination. This paper describes in principle the way a cellular mobile phone network operates and how the data is processed. In addition it discusses some of the tools available to examine mobile phones and SIM cards and some of their strengths and weaknesses. It also presents a short overview of the legal position of an analyst when examining a mobile phone.