Digital forensics 1039/2025

FOI Reference: 1039/2025

Request

1. How many staff in your force/contractors are currently assigned to work on digital forensics (examining digital devices seized for evidence as part of investigations).
2. What is the current average time it takes to examine a device (from seizing to completion). 
3. What is the current backlog of digital devices which your force needs to examine.

• For question three, could I also have a breakdown of devices - ie phones, ipads etc. 

4. How many current investigations involve examining digital devices and what percentage of your total number of ongoing investigations is this?
5. What is the current waiting time for the device which has been waiting to be investigated the longest and what kind of allegation/investigation does this relate to?
6. If a contractor firm is used to carry out this work, could I please ask what it is and how much the firm is paid. 
7. If the cost limit has not yet been reached, could I please ask what the answer was to question two in each of the most five recent calendar years. (IE) 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020.
8. If the cost limit has still not been reached, could I please ask for the answer to question three for 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020. Please provide an average backlog figure. 

I can confirm that Dyfed-Powys Police does hold the information requested, as outlined below:-

Response Q1

FTE
13x Digital Forensic Investigators

4x Digital Forensic Technicians

1x Internship

Response Q2

The current DFU CMS does not record this data.

Response Q3

As on 5^th February 2026, the current backlog consists of 284 exhibits. 62 computer devices which consist of computers and laptops and 222 mobile devices which consists of phones and tablets.

Response Q4

There are 120 cases that are currently ongoing, in which computer/electronic devices are waiting to be examined. This is 5 % of all the property types that is awaiting to be examined.

Response Q5

10 months for a low priority obscene publications investigation

Response Q6 – Q8

Not Applicable

It should be noted that as a result of the systems adopted by Dyfed-Powys Police in relation to the recording of such information that the information released may or may not be accurate.

(This is a response under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and disclosed on 06/02/2026)