Reference no: EM133748543
Case: The "Nanaimo Pizza Shop Arson" (2019)
Background: On October 11, 2019, a pizza shop in Nanaimo, British Columbia, was set on fire, causing significant damage and displacing the owner. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) were tasked with identifying the perpetrator(s) and bringing them to justice.
The Investigation: The Nanaimo RCMP worked closely with the Digital Forensic Unit to review security footage from surrounding businesses, including a nearby convenience store and a TrafficCam system installed at an intersection near the pizza shop. The TrafficCam system captures high-quality video footage of traffic movements in real-time.
Digital Investigative Tool: The TrafficCam footage was reviewed by investigators using specialized software, which allowed them to enhance and analyze the video to identify suspicious vehicles and individuals. The CCTV footage from the convenience store was also analyzed to gather additional evidence.
Breakthrough: After reviewing the TrafficCam footage, investigators noticed a suspicious vehicle with a distinctive license plate number. They tracked the vehicle to a nearby residence, where they arrested the suspect, later identified as 37-year-old Michael Alexander Smith.
Answer the following:
- How did the tool assist in the solving and/or prosecution of the case?
- Was there additional analysis required once the case was uncovered? If so, what was it?
- Was it possible that this case could have been solved without the tool? Why or why not?
- Do you feel that investigative analysis may one day be the job of machines and not people? Why or why not?
- Kindly reference the case accordingly.