- Smartphones are the top source of evidence for nearly all investigators.
- Digital evidence is widely seen as essential to solving cases.
- Growing data volume and complexity are putting serious strain on agency workloads.
- Many agencies still restrict AI use, creating a gap between what is possible and what is permitted
- Cloud-based evidence management is gaining traction, yet most organisations still rely on physical media like hard drives and USBs, increasing risk and slowing collaboration.
Cellebrite, a global leader in AI-powered Digital Investigative and Intelligence solutions for the public and private sectors, has released its seventh annual 2026 Industry Trends Report, which surveyed 1,200 practitioners across 63 countries, tracking how organisations collect, manage and analyse digital evidence.
Smartphones are a top source (97% confirm this)
Smartphones are more relevant to investigations than ever before, with 97% of investigators citing them as the top source of digital evidence, up 24 points from 73% in 2024. This increase mirrors public expectations, as 97% of agency managers say communities expect digital evidence to be used in most cases.
Policies and Regulations
Artificial intelligence (AI) is an increasingly important technology for enhancing the speed and efficiency of investigations. Nearly two thirds (65%) of public safety respondents believe AI can accelerate investigations, yet nearly a third of these respondents report their agency’s policies prevent AI’s use.
Two-thirds of respondents cite review time as the biggest barrier to moving cases, yet AI can solve this, with respondents agreeing one of its best features is quickly analysing communications to identify links between people.
Public safety findings show 95% agree digital evidence increases case solvability, while 94% say complexity is straining caseloads. However, only 62% of agency leaders are shifting resources from legacy to digital methods. This gap between recognition and action underscores the modernisation challenge agencies face.
The Tech Gap
A UK Police and Crime Commissioner, Matt Scott, has commented on the challenges faced between new technology and existing regulations:
“The relationship between the public and the police is fundamental. As new technology is introduced, it is important that the public’s consent is sought and that appropriate safeguards are put in place to ensure that decision making remains in the hands of officers and staff. The relationship between the public and the police is fundamental. Any use of AI or automation in policing should follow consultation with the public and be applied only where appropriate and where it can responsibly support productivity.”
Globally, the ‘modern reality’ of gaps between capabilities and capacities, and budget issues combined with policies, is an issue being faced by all agencies. James Howe, Detective, Columbus, Ohio, Division of Police, asserts:
“Digital evidence is increasingly where our investigations begin. This modern reality has us rethinking our workflows across the agency, not just in the lab. Digital evidence shapes how our cases are built from day one.”
Cloud Storage Increasing
Using the cloud to store and share digital evidence is steadily becoming essential for agencies of all sizes. Cloud receptiveness for digital evidence management reached 42% in 2026, up from 38% in 2025. Yet physical media remains the default option with two-thirds of respondents still sharing evidence via portable hard drives and USB sticks, creating chain of custody risks and slowing cross-agency collaboration.
David Gee, Chief Marketing Officer of Cellebrite, explains:
“It’s clear digital evidence is the backbone of modern justice. Today’s investigations involve an exponential explosion of devices, data and complexity that agencies must manage. Their only choice to evolve is to mobilize and leverage technology that will help them process evidence efficiently, while preserving the accuracy and ensuring the defensibility of evidence on which the justice system relies.”
Private Sector Findings
Private sector findings show investigations embedded across business operations, with a clear shift in AI adoption from strategic intent to practical application. Top use cases are eDiscovery (54%), data theft (46%) and network exploits (44%).
Mobile data appears in 66% of investigations in the private sector, and computer storage and cloud data each appear in 46% of investigations. 57% of respondents in the private sector state AI-assisted communication analysis accelerates outcomes.
Colin Duncan, eDiscovery Technologist at Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, LLP, adds his insight, stating:
“Organizations want to be better prepared, so investigations are no longer just about reacting after something happens. Gaining a clear understanding of data across systems, devices, and applications in a consistent and defensible manner is essential. When used responsibly, AI enables teams to accelerate their work without compromising control or accountability.”
For more information, read Cellebrite’s 2026 Industry Trends Reports for Public Safety and the Private Sector
