Cell Site Analysis

With years of industry experience, technical excellence and a dedicated team, IntaForensics® are capable of offering the full range of digital investigation services and litigation support, and are able to adapt to the unique and individual needs of solicitors, private clients, Law Enforcement Agencies and commercial organisations.

Cell Site and Call Data Analysis

Cell Site Analysis, or Radio Frequency Propagation Survey (RFPS), is the technique of placing a mobile device in a specific geographical location, at a certain date and time using mobile call data records and cell surveys.

The evidence gained through the analysis of cell sites can be hugely beneficial to a case and, with thorough analysis of the Call Data Records or Call Detail Records (CDR), IntaForensics specialists can produce reports revealing the likely position and movements of the mobile device.

Mobile device usage features more than ever in our day-to-day lives, therefore the use of cell site analysis can be crucial to most investigations.  The results of the CDR Analysis can be used to show if the accused mobile device was used for calls, SMS events or data sessions at a point of interest, this may be a crime scene or alibi location.

What can our cell site analysis do?

  • Conduct Cell Site Surveys (RFPS)
  • Conduct Wi-Fi Surveys
  • Review Historic RFPS Survey Data
  • Analyse Wi-Fi Router / Access Point Logs
  • Review and Analyse Call Data Records (CDR)
  • Conduct Pattern Analysis on Call Data Records (CDR)
  • Identify Trends and Links Between Persons Accused on Call Data Records (CDR)

With the recent and ongoing advancement in Wi-Fi calling, and Wi-Fi access points, their MAC (Media Access Control) addresses have started to appear on Call Data Records. IntaForensics provide Wi-Fi access point analysis or Wi-Fi site survey, in addition to cell site which can further narrow down the location of the mobile device movements, quite significantly in some cases.  IntaForensics’ cell site experts are highly capable of supporting law enforcement agencies and legal defence teams nationally.

In most cases CDR data is only held by the Communications Service Providers (CSP’s) for 12 months, therefore it is crucial that this data is preserved and applied for at the earliest opportunity. If cell site data or logs are to be retrieved from a mobile device, use of the device should cease immediately so that this data is not overwritten, the device should not be used until the extraction of data is complete. When a Wi-Fi router is analysed, time is of the essence. Residential Wi-Fi routers may lose data within 24/48 hours after an event.

Granted Accreditation for Forensic Cell Site Analysis

IntaForensics is the UK's first organisation to be granted accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025:2017 and the Forensic Science Regulator’s Codes of Practice and Conduct for cell site analysis.

UKAS cell site accreditation

What we Offer

Conduct Cell Site Surveys (RFPS)

Our analysts will conduct Radio Frequency Propagation Surveys at locations of interest to an investigation. This is to establish what cells provide coverage in a particular area and will assist the analyst determine the potential location of a mobile telephone device.  

Conduct Wi-Fi Surveys (RFPS)

In similar vein to Cell Site Surveys, Conducting a Wi-Fi survey will determine what access points can be detected in a particular area and can further assist with pinpointing a device to a location.  

Review Historic RFPS Survey Data

Our analysts can review historic Radio Frequency Propagation Surveys (RFPS) data and provide opinion and conclusions based on when the survey was previously conducted. This can be hugely beneficial when an in-house preservation survey has already been conducted by the client.   

Analyse Wi-Fi Router / Access Point Logs

We can review Wi-Fi router logs and determine a whole host of information that may be key for an investigation. This could be to assist with attribution or determine a device has connected to a particular router.  

Review and Analyse CDR Data

The normalisation and analysis of Call Data Records (CDR) can detail the movements of a mobile telephone device and advise potential locations where the device may had been. 

Conduct Pattern Analysis on CDR Data

In depth pattern analysis of Call Data Records (CDR) can assist the investigation team to understand, frequent calls made from the number, cell usage, movements, collocation, what devices may have been used, patterns of behaviour and usage.  

Identify Trends and Links Between Persons Accused on CDR Data

Call Data Records (CDR) analysis could also assist with the attribution of the mobile telephone numbers and also show potential links between users of the numbers and their other devices.  

Provide Detailed Reports and Mapping, Designed to be Presented at Court

All Call Data Records (CDR) & Radio Frequency Propagation Surveys (RFPS) analysis is documented in detailed, jury friendly & court ready reports.     

Provide Expert Advice and Support

Expert consultancy can also be provided to any investigations team and support in-house analysis, ensuring that it is conducted to a highest quality standard. 

Provide Evidence in Court

Our expert analysts have a vast amount of experience with presenting cell site evidence in court. 

Talk to our Digital Investigation Team Today

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Thank you so much for doing this cell site report so quickly and efficiently. I’ve looked through the report and I’m impressed how structured it is and easy to read through and understand.

Digital Media Investigator - Warwickshire Police