How do the police find out about indecent images?

At Olliers Solicitors, we recognise that for any anyone under investigation or scrutiny by the police for online offences, particularly indecent images, how unnerving that process can be. This especially concerns itself to individuals who are fearful of what an investigation may result in whether that be the end result, the impact upon their career and family life, consequences to their reputation, all which derive from what content may or may not be produced following forensic examination of an individual’s devices.  

At Olliers we are fuelled by a genuine desire to deliver the best outcomes for our clients. We believe that supporting our clients through their legal journey is as important as the right outcome. Olliers are approachable, non-judgemental and genuine and build authentic, caring relationships with clients and are genuinely invested in their wellbeing. 

A starting point to the process is to firstly appreciate how the police detect online offending and what places that individual and their intention under the police’s microscope for examination. 

How police detect online offending? 

Searching indecent images of a child encompasses various organisations and a range of software. Police in the UK actively identify several of these images themselves, they also rely and receive immense numbers of referrals each year from other agencies such as The National Crime Agency and individual agencies based in other countries who then partner with the UK police to stop indecent image offences occurring. 

What is Metadata Monitoring?  

Metadata monitoring is the examination of the data embedded within digital files such as videos and images. Metadata includes details such as the date and time a file was created, the device used, GPS location and software used if any to edit the file.  

Specialists use this information with software tools to trace the origin of illegal material, verify the authenticity and then link related files or suspected offenders. For example, if a number of images share similar metadata, those images could have been taken at the same time which can help investigators connect cases.  

What is a Web Crawler? 

What could be described as a bot or spider, are automated programs that scan and index specific websites across the internet including the dark web. These web crawlers or bots search specific image hashes otherwise known as unique digital fingerprints of known illegal content, keywords and untrustworthy patterns. If they detect a potential threat, this is flagged for further investigation into that content. The crawlers allow agencies like the National Crime Agency to monitor heavy amounts of online content effectively which also allows them to identify any hidden or newly uploaded illegal content.  

Metadata Monitoring and what to be aware of 

Law enforcement agencies actively keep a close eye on the illegal and harmful content of child sexual abuse found on the internet.  

Those agencies censor things such as search terms typed commonly by people into their search engines, messages exchanged within online chat platforms and conversations taking place on social media or public forums. To do so efficiently, the agencies rely upon advanced computer programs otherwise known as algorithms. Those algorithms automatically scan for key words or behaviour patterns that may raise concern or are to be connected to child sexual abuse – defined as CSAM.  

The systems are designed to swiftly identify any warning signs such as an individual searching for illegal content of children or relying upon language or specific terms that is commonly linked to child abuse and exploitation. When something suspicious is flagged, investigators can then review this further to fundamentally determine whether a real threat is posed and or a crime has been committed.  

The role of Internet Service Providers  

Large internet tech companies including the likes of Facebook, Microsoft and Instagram have now created specialist tools to help identify and report child sexual abuse material online and this therefore often linking individuals to the police and as a consequence leading to arrests.  

These tech companies, which can also include online storage providers, are legally required to report any form of child sexual abuse material including indecent images which are located on their platform. This meaning any material which fixates on exploitation of a child, that company then in turn must notify the police to that content.  

In the US, the report is sent to an organisation known as the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children, who then run a system called the CyberTipline – the central place where these reports are then collected and reviewed.  

When that report is made, it includes an IP address which is a digital address that reveals where the content has originated from. This is often one of the first questions a client raises as to how intelligence connects them to any form of illicit material. Those IP addresses help investigators figure out the location of the suspect who has uploaded or shared the indecent material. Once that information has been collected, the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children forward the report created to the law enforcement agency.  

The Dark Web 

It is worth knowing what it is meant by the dark web. This is a hidden area on the internet that does not show up in regular search engines. Individuals engage on the dark web by browsing anonymously so that their identify is not revealed. The dark web is commonly related to illegal activity.  

Specialist police teams or cybercrime units monitor places on the dark webs including file sharing networks and online chat forums with the intention to find individuals operating on there specifically making indecent images of children.   

Monitoring of PeertoPeer and FileSharing Networks  

This is where individuals who share indecent images with one another send those files directly over the internet. It allows users to share those files without going through a central website, which can therefore make it harder for that illegal activity to be tracked.  

Police rely upon computer programs that recognise certain files based on something called a “hash.” This acts like a digital fingerprint for a file where its unique code identifies an image or video. If that software relied upon identifies files being shared that match the hashes of illegal images already known to law enforcements, this alerts the police who then can locate individuals using the IP address information provided.  

Referring back to an individual’s IP address, this is critical for the police or National Crime Agency to locating a person if they have interacted or shared indecent images online using either a social media account or their email address. This assists the police to identify who that person is and where they live. Clients at Olliers are often advised that this identification is the first stage in a lengthy process but the police must prove that the individual has in fact committed an online offence.  

How warrants and device seizures lead to discovery? 

Individuals often question what allows the police to enter into their home and seize devices belonging to them. A warrant authorises the police to enter an individual’s property to seize computers, phones and other storage devices. The police can apply for a search warrant under the Protection of Children Act 1978 and or the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 specifically section 18.  

Once those devices have been seized, an investigation will begin which can lead to an individual’s arrest or in some cases that person being asked to attend for a voluntary interview.  

The devices would be analysed often without the individual providing their password or pin to said device and dependent on the content located, this will lead to whether the case progresses beyond an investigation stage.  

Olliers Solicitors – specialist indecent image solicitors  

At Olliers, we strive and succeed in taking a proactive approach in the early stages of an investigation of this kind by engaging with the police to understand what it is that connects our clients to such an allegation, fundamentally understanding the evidence against a client and reassuring our client’s along that process of what the police must do and why they are being investigated.   

Making an initial enquiry with our team is confidential and free of charge. We understand that it can be daunting to make contact with a firm of solicitors but our approachable team has many years of experience of dealing with allegations of indecent images. We understand that for many individuals it may be their first involvement with the criminal justice system and understand how frightening the situation may be for you. We promise not to judge and seek to work together to achieve the best outcome for you. We aim to explain the process and procedures to you in clear and unambiguous language whilst at the same understanding the anxiety you face at the situation ahead. 

Please contact our new enquiry team on 020 3883 6790 (London) or 01618341515 (Manchester), by email to info@olliers.com or complete the form below if you would like to arrange a confidential discussion as to how Olliers can assist you if you are under investigation for indecent images offences.