The US Postal Service raided an address in America which was found to be the base of a world-wide Internet based child pornography site. The investigations in the US identified numerous UK subscribers to the paedophile site. This information led to a nationwide UK police operation named Operation Ore. CCL-Forensics have conducted in excess of 50 Operation Ore cases for a number of Police Forces. The below case studies are typical:

As part of this operation, a suspect was identified as having downloaded indecent images of children from the website during 1998/99. The suspect was traced by the personal details, credit card and email address he had registered on the website server.

The suspect was arrested for possession of indecent images of children. A search warrant was executed under Section 4 of the Protection of Children Act 1974 and various items, including a computer and removable media, were seized from his premises.

CCL-Forensics Ltd was asked to examine the computer’s hard drive and removable media for any indecent images of children and also to identify any evidence of the suspect having made or distributed indecent images.

The hard drive and the removable media were imaged using a forensic imaging tool. The image files taken of these exhibits were then interrogated for any such graphic files. The user’s email accounts and internet history were also examined to determine if any evidence of distribution existed on the computer.

A forensic report was produced outlining our findings, which was to be presented as an exhibit during the court hearing. As a result of our report the Defendant changed their plea to guilty and court attendance was not required.