Detica Forensics

Detica Forensics investigators have provided incriminating evidence in one of the biggest counterfeit medicines conspiracies in British history.

As part of an investigation by the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the Detica team reconstructed emails and other documents and analysed metadata in files to produce evidence for the courts that helped lead to the convictions of the man who masterminded the British arm of the conspiracy, and three of his cohorts.

The case has been described by the MHRA as the largest of its kind ever heard by a British criminal court.

Andy Clark, head of Detica Forensics, said: "Our digital forensics linked the man at the centre of the investigations with companies and individuals implicated in the conspiracy. By piecing together fragments of emails and other documents, our experts mapped a web of contacts and uncovered evidence including a distribution agreement, a financial transaction and company incorporation details of the company at the centre of the scam.

"By reconstructing documents and analysing hidden metadata in files, we identified evidence such as document authors and key dates of editing and modification. This evidence substantiated other intelligence gathered in the case and helped secure the convictions that were announced this week."

David Porter, head of security and risk at Detica, added: "This is an excellent example of the power of digital forensics investigations. It’s not often that we can talk publicly about the activities of Detica Forensics because the issues we deal with are so sensitive. Cases are often resolved even before they reach court because the digital evidence is so incriminating."

Andy Clark continued: "This case demonstrates how digital forensics is becoming an integral part of many criminal investigations. As digital footprints become bigger, multi-dimensional and ubiquitous, and criminal activities become increasingly intertwined and networked, it is not a trivial matter for digital forensics investigators to keep pace with fraudsters and illegal transactions."

Detica is a specialist business and technology consultancy focused on turning complex information into relevant and actionable intelligence. In a climate of explosive growth in data volume, many of our clients see this as one of their greatest challenges.

Most of our work is in the information-intensive areas of security, fraud containment, risk management, regulatory compliance and customer management. In these areas we deliver a broad range of services including strategy formulation, people and process change, and the delivery and support of technology solutions.

From roots in National Security, Detica has built in-depth experience and domain expertise in Government, Financial Services and Telecoms. Our understanding of these selected industries helps us to see client needs and issues more clearly, and deliver greater business value. Based in the UK, we have a presence across Europe and the US in Global Financial Markets, and a strong US position in Homeland Security.

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