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OH communication with 16yo :(

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RShultzz

Member since
March 2024

24 posts

Posted Wed April 24, 2024 12:59pmReport post

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Edited Sat April 27, 2024 5:40am

edel2020

Member since
March 2022

375 posts

Posted Wed April 24, 2024 3:27pmReport post

First I expect they will simply go on a fishing expedition, to see what they find on his devices. That often throws up more evidence.

After that, its really just a matter of can they prove the account was his and that he had the conversation. An IP address can only establish a link to a house, so if there is more than one person living there and more than one device connected to that IP, then it becomes more complicated.

Hopelesscared

Member since
November 2023

68 posts

Posted Wed April 24, 2024 3:46pmReport post

From my experience, they will first check if his phone has any links to the username on WhatsApp - they'll check the app to see if it's there, if there are any traces of any conversation left, any images of the girl etc. they'll check his browser history and see if the username is used elsewhere.

They can also see where the phone has pinged at certain times so eg. When the Snapchat image showed a different address, does his phone generally seem to have been in the area.

They'll go through all photos to see if he has any IIOC or any other illegal material.

One thing to note that the screenshots on twitter won't hold IP information so they must have had access to the girl's phone.

Although they're saying two months, don't hold your breath. Police don't tend to prioritise cases because of offender's children or living situation.

Did your partner have a solicitor at the interview?

hpl111

Member since
November 2022

392 posts

Posted Wed April 24, 2024 3:54pmReport post

Please don't bank on the police prioritising your case because you have children.

We have children and have been waiting for almost 2 years so far xx

RShultzz

Member since
March 2024

24 posts

Posted Wed April 24, 2024 5:59pmReport post

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Edited Sat April 27, 2024 5:40am

Bub84

Member since
January 2024

113 posts

Posted Thu April 25, 2024 7:23amReport post

As above please don't pin your hopes on the phone data being checked within the 2 month time scale that they have told you. Myself and alot of other ladies here were given a 3 month timescale for investigations to be over and we are now month 8 still waiting for any kind of progress or update. Sadly it's a very long road x

scaredandconfused

Member since
June 2021

437 posts

Posted Thu April 25, 2024 12:53pmReport post

We got told 2/3 weeks as we had very young children took 17.5 months to sentencing 15.5 of them checking devices

Ghost hunter 23

Member since
June 2020

34 posts

Posted Thu April 25, 2024 1:17pmReport post

Prioritise because you have kids? Sorry that doesn't happen. It's taken 4 years for us.

RShultzz

Member since
March 2024

24 posts

Posted Thu April 25, 2024 2:30pmReport post

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Edited Sat April 27, 2024 5:41am

edel2020

Member since
March 2022

375 posts

Posted Thu April 25, 2024 3:24pmReport post

It really depends on where you are in the country, because different police forces have different procedures. According to FOI requests that I've done, there are some police forces who say they are taking just 28 days to examine devices although others take much longer than that. The longest I've heard of so far was 267 days.

But examining devices only explains part of the delay. There are going to be other issues that can slow down an investigation too.

I certainly wouldn't rely on what the police tell you, because we've seen plenty of people on here whose investigations have taken over two years. As for whether they do prioritise families with children, that also depends on the force. I've had some forces state that they do prioritise digital examinations for high risk cases (although they didn't say what would make a case high priority).

The best advice I can give, is to mentally prepare yourself for a long investigation, because at least that way, you won't be shocked, if it does take more than 2 months.

RShultzz

Member since
March 2024

24 posts

Posted Thu April 25, 2024 3:32pmReport post

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Edited Sat April 27, 2024 5:41am

BaffledB

Member since
July 2021

876 posts

Posted Thu April 25, 2024 3:33pmReport post

I'm sorry you have joined us here!

Unfortunately the police do tend to exaggerate the timeframes. It all sounds a bit odd I'll be honest. I appreciate your OH may not know but was the posting of the screenshots part of some amateur vigilante group or something? Unless more is found on the phone including the chat data from the screenshots then I can't see the CPS wanting to charge.

It's very difficult in these early stages as a partner as you are totally relying on what your OH is telling you, I would always advise newcomers to question everything, keep an open mind, prepare for the worst but hope for the best. Sometimes the police aren't always honest, sometimes partners aren't honest. As unhelpful as that all sounds, we are the priority here and we have to ensure our own wellbeing. I hope you get some answers soon, encourage your OH to give you full disclosure with his solicitor so you are kept in the loop and keep coming here for support x

hpl111

Member since
November 2022

392 posts

Posted Thu April 25, 2024 5:24pmReport post

The police told me during the arrest that it would take 6 months.

Like I said upthread it's been almost 2 years now and no news yet.

Our children are under 4 years old, so in a way more vulnerable than older children.

At the time of the arrest they were under 2 years old.

edel2020

Member since
March 2022

375 posts

Posted Fri April 26, 2024 10:28amReport post

We don't really know why the investigations take so long. I used to think it was mainly about the digital forensic examinations, but now I'm not so sure.

I've done a lot of FOI requests to find out how long the forensics take and it doesn't really explain the delays of two or three years that we read about on here.

https://www.thejusticegap.com/police-taking-nearly-three-times-longer-to-investigate-crimes-than-seven-years-ago/

Lack of staff would seem to be the most likely explanation. Too many crimes, especially the new online offences which are being created all the time, and not enough police to investigate them all. That's why they have stopped investigating shoplifting, burglary, car crime etc. The online stuff has just overwhelmed them.

I hope to publish some stats on the digital fiorensics shortly. Just waiting on Sussex police for a reply.

hpl111

Member since
November 2022

392 posts

Posted Fri April 26, 2024 11:52amReport post

edel2020:

You're right, the delays aren't solely caused by the forensic examination.

The examination of my husband's phone has concluded 8 months ago.

His forensic report has been stuck "in a queue" at the police station since then.

We're in the West Midlands

Edited Fri April 26, 2024 11:53am

RShultzz

Member since
March 2024

24 posts

Posted Fri April 26, 2024 5:19pmReport post

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Edited Sat April 27, 2024 5:41am