Heather Barnhart and Paul Lorenz join the Forensic Focus Podcast to discuss key insights from Cellebrite's 2025 DFIR Industry Trends Survey. They dive into the challenges facing digital forensics today - from locked devices and encrypted applications to overwhelming case backlogs.

The survey, which gathered responses from over 2,100 professionals across 95 countries, reveals notable trends: 98% of prosecutors consider digital evidence critical to their cases, and 80% of respondents believe AI can enhance investigation effectiveness.

The discussion delves into the growing acceptance of cloud storage in forensics, the cautious adoption of AI in investigations, and the preference for in-person training despite the convenience of online options. The guests also discuss cognitive bias in investigations and the importance of maintaining forensic integrity when presenting digital evidence.

#digitalforensics #dfir

00:00 Welcome and Introductions

00:56 Paul Lorenz's Journey into Forensics

03:19 Challenges in Digital Forensics

04:36 Industry Trends and Survey Insights

06:37 Mental Health and Community Support

17:19 AI in Digital Investigations

22:57 Case Studies and Real-World Examples

27:37 Diverse Paths in Investigations

28:07 Challenges of Bias in Forensic Cases

30:33 The Complexity of Cloud Storage

37:45 Generational Shifts in Technology Adoption

41:30 The Importance of Training in Forensics

43:19 In-Person vs. Online Training Preferences

50:12 Concluding Thoughts and Future Trends

Show Notes

2025 Industry Trends Survey - https://cellebrite.com/en/industry-trends-survey-2025

Cellebrite - https://cellebrite.com/en/home