Forensic Investigations Backlogs

Critical delays in digital forensic processing slow down justice and increase costs

The justice system is at breaking point: growing court delays and chronic digital forensic backlogs are turning evidence into missed opportunities, victims into drop-outs, and cases into cautionary tales. Meridian Edge collaborates with investigation teams to streamline forensic workflows, reduce turnaround times, and deliver evidence-ready analysis that meets case-critical demand, so your evidence remains timely, reliable, and credible.

Real-world Case Studies

National Forensic Backlog: 25,000+ waiting devices

A 2022 HMICFRS inspection found over 25,000 devices awaiting forensic examination across UK forces, with wait times up to 18 months in some areas. These prolonged delays have hindered prosecutions, eroded victim trust, and exposed huge inconsistencies in victim service delivery.

Sources: TechUK.org and HMICFRS report: An inspection into how well the police and other agencies use digital forensics in their investigations (December 2022)

Special Constable Case: Guilty plea, no sentence

A former special constable admitted possessing over 13,000 indecent images, yet due to forensic delays exceeding 2.5 years, the Crown could not charge for distribution. The judge criticised the backlog as a failure in execution, resulting in a diminished sentence that may not reflect the severity of the crime.

Source: CYFOR: Digital forensic delays cause concern as case backlog grows

Crown Court Trials Delayed to 2026

By mid‑2024, 68,000 Crown Court cases awaited hearing, with some defendants told their trial dates wouldn’t come until 2026. Poor integration of forensic work and court listing inefficiencies jeopardised case momentum, leading to withdrawn charges and lost convictions.

Source: The Guardian: ‘People should not wait two years to be tried’: inside the crown court crisis (June 2024)