Digital forensics – from a helpful tool to a vital necessity 

Digital evidence is no longer a luxury in modern prosecution – it is a necessity. For Jesse Wilson, District Attorney of Nevada County, California, digital forensics has become the key to fair and successful prosecutions. What was once an outsourced service has now grown into an indispensable part of his office. 

The Challenge 

Nevada County, with a population of about 100,000, once relied heavily on external providers to process digital evidence. That often meant delays, added costs, and limited control over the flow of cases. Meanwhile, the sheer volume of mobile devices entering the justice system continued to increase. 

“I would say, throughout the state, throughout the nation, at this point digital forensics is not just a useful tool, but it is a necessary one,” Wilson explains. 

The Solution 

Recognizing that reality, the District Attorney’s office made the decision to bring digital forensics in-house. 

“We take great pride in our digital forensics department here at the Nevada County District Attorney’s Office,” Wilson says. “This is something that we would oftentimes outsource before we brought it in-house. Now it’s not just a tool we utilize – it’s a vital role in our department.” 

With a dedicated investigator and access to the right technology, the office gained the ability to produce timely, reliable evidence. This shift wasn’t about convenience. It was about responding to how prosecutions work today. 

“It’s not something that we did just because we felt like doing it,” Wilson continues. “It’s something that we did in reaction to the way prosecution is going. And it’s a necessary, very important, vital role in our department.” 

Customer Value 

The impact of having mobile forensic capability in-house has been transformative. Digital forensics is now central to nearly every case, from routine investigations to major prosecutions. 

“The impact itself can’t be emphasized enough,” Wilson says. “It literally, in a lot of cases, is the tool that we need, the information we need to have successful, fair prosecutions. The impact is ubiquitous. Everyone has a phone. That certainly includes those individuals that engage in criminal activities.” 

Wilson also highlights the importance of supporting his team to keep pace with the fast-changing field. “We do everything we can within our resources to support those efforts, whether that’s contracting with outside agencies, going to trainings, applying for grants, or investing in the most updated technology.” 

MSAB Perspective 

Nevada County’s experience reflects a wider reality: digital forensics has become mission-critical for prosecutors everywhere. With solutions like XRY Pro, agencies can rely on dependable, first-time access to digital evidence. From advanced device access to RAM extraction, BruteStorm technology, and simultaneous multi-device extractions. 

By combining local expertise with MSAB’s technology and support, the Nevada County District Attorney’s Office has accelerated its workflows, reduced reliance on outsourcing, and strengthened the integrity of its prosecutions. 

As Wilson puts it, digital forensics is now “a vital, necessary component of criminal prosecution in 2025.” 

XRY Pro First – MSAB