With the popularity of smart devices on the rise, their prevalence in the courtroom is increasing. In 2018, police used Karen Navarra’s Fitbit fitness tracker to find her murderer. Police accessed the recorded information and determined that her heart rate spiked then dropped significantly while her stepfather was in her house. Due to neighbors reports and the information from Fitbit, police were able to determine her stepfather was the murderer. This is not the first time Fitbit’s technology has been used by police to solve crimes. In 2015 Fitbit provided location data in association to a sexual assault and personal injury case, and in August 2018, Fitbit data helped the…
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Florida Detectives attempt to unlock a cell phone with a dead man’s finger
In today’s technology driven world it seems our phones are attached to our hips whether we like it or not. We are driven by the accessibility and connection that these tiny machines provide us. But what right do you have regarding your phone after your death? In March, Florida police pulled over Linus Phillips for illegally tinted windows. Upon speaking with Mr. Phillips, Officer Steiner detected the smell of marijuana. However, before Officer Steiner was able to perform a search of the vehicle, Mr. Phillips began driving in reverse. Officer Steiner was dragged by the vehicle before he fired his weapon in self-defense and killed Mr. Phillips. Detectives wanted to…