In 2021, investigators in Indianapolis, IN received a NCMEC CyberTipline Report identifying a Dropbox Account that contained child sexual abuse material. Using information contained in this Report, investigators found evidence of child exploitation and molestation in a related Google Account. By tracing the origins of this digital evidence, investigators uncovered a case of chronic abuse that had been reported years earlier and a child who was unprotected by those closest to him. Ultimately, investigators learned how this abuser not only molested his victim for years, but also how he trafficked this child to feed his own drug habit. This presentation will focus on how digital evidence was used to identify a child victim and an additional perpetrator, how investigators worked to gain the trust of a child who was unprotected for years, and how the cases were ultimately resolved. This session will also include a “lessons learned” section to focus on the importance of following all potential leads using digital evidence, corroborating a case when a child has a prior recanted allegation, and assessing the liability of co-conspirators and accomplices.
Learning Objectives:
Develop investigative avenues for uncovering digital evidence, including when the primary method does not yield results
Assess the role of accomplices and other offenders when examining the full scope of exploitation suffered by a child.
Develop ways to work with chronic abuse survivors, where abuse was known to family members and unaddressed by the child protection system.
