The Investigator’s Guide to Social Media introduces popular social media platforms and how information shared on these platforms can benefit investigators. In this installment, we’ll be discussing why one should be investigating Snapchat. What is Snapchat? Launched in September of 2011, Snapchat is a mobile native app which allows users to securely share messages, photos, and videos. While the platform offers its users more … Read More
10 Keys to a Social Media Investigation
A successful social media investigation has the potential to make or break any case. However, with an increasing number of both social media networks and users, how can one be certain that their social media investigation is accurate and complete? Two-Thirds of Adults Use Social Media According to a 2015 Pew Research Center study, social media usage has exploded among adults over the past decade. The study’s … Read More
Social Media Evidence in Bankruptcy Proceedings
Recently, a bankruptcy judge ordered rapper 50 Cent, whose real name is Curtis James Jackson III, back to court over several of his Instagram pictures. The pictures show the rapper with bundles of cash, one showing piles in his refrigerator, another with bundles spelling out the word “broke,” and another showed him cuddling money in bed. He’s also used his Instagram … Read More
Free Webinar: Ethical Use of Social Media in Litigation
Join social media legal expert Ethan Wall, Esq. on Wednesday, October 19th at 12:00 PM EST for a free Ethics CLE accredited* webinar Investigating and preserving social media evidence is a critical skill for litigators, paralegals, and human resource professionals. While social media can be an effective tool for conducting research, strategic discovery, and provide an upper hand in litigation, there are … Read More
Subpoenas for Facebook Content
In our previous blogs, we’ve covered the admissibility of social media evidence, but we have only briefly touched on the laws governing subpoenas for private Facebook information. This blog delves into some of the laws you need to be familiar with if you’re looking to subpoena social media sites. In general, a government agency may subpoena social media sites to … Read More
Investigator’s Guide to Facebook
The Investigator’s Guide to Social Media introduces popular social media platforms and how information shared on these platforms can benefit investigators. In this installment, we’ll be discussing why one should be investigating Facebook. What is Facebook? Social media sites span a spectrum from just providing a user name and a photo to the ability to get a deeper look at a person’s life, their … Read More
Avoiding Negative Press with Social Media Screening
By now, you have probably heard about Wendy Bell being fired from WTAE-TV in Pittsburgh, PA, for racially insensitive comments she made on her Facebook page. Not only does her post reflect poorly on her, but as a long-time employee of the station, her comments will be associated with WTAE-TV as well, even though the station likely doesn’t share the same opinion. We have … Read More
SMI Headed to ABA TechShow
Come visit SMI at the ABA TECHSHOW! CEO Chris Randall and Sales Director Mike Bosick will be at the show in Booth 509. Current & prospective customers who stop by the booth will receive a $200 credit for SMI services! (as well as mugs, pens and some other goodies!) If you’d like to schedule a time to talk with us, feel … Read More
Admissibility of Private Social Media Evidence
Since our post about social media evidence admissibility received so much attention, we created a follow-up article focusing on the admissibility of private social media evidence. As discussed in the first installment, social media evidence is admissible in court and may have a direct impact on the outcome of a case. In addition to evidence from public social media accounts being discoverable, … Read More