Mistaken Identity

Sypnosis

Police located a stolen vehicle and attempted a traffic stop, resulting in a pursuit. During the chase, an officer briefly saw the driver’s face as their vehicles passed each other. The suspect ultimately abandoned the car, leaving behind a backpack that contained personal items — including mail and a Social Security card belonging to the defendant. Based on a fleeting visual and a prior mugshot, the officer identified the defendant as the driver.

The defendant was arrested and charged, despite maintaining his innocence from the outset. We were retained by defense counsel to investigate the forensic record.

Our Role

We assisted the defense attorney in obtaining the defendant’s call detail records (CDRs) and conducted a full forensic review to establish both his location and device usage at the time of the pursuit. Our analysis provided a comprehensive digital alibi, supported by usage evidence and personal messaging content from the device.

Technology Involved

Call Detail Records (CDRs) from the defendant's mobile carriers

Full file system extraction from the defendant’s smartphone

Text message and app usage analysis

Forensic device-to-CDR correlation

Historical location data based on tower usage

Key Findings

CDRs showed the defendant’s phone was active two counties away during the pursuit.

The extracted device’s IMEI matched the device that generated the CDRs, establishing forensic continuity.

Application usage and texting patterns confirmed the defendant as the user of the phone.

A critical message from the defendant’s mother—sent days before the incident—referred to him leaving his backpack and ID in an unlocked car and expressed concern about potential theft.