In the pockets of countless Americans, a small device has become an unexpected but potent centerpiece in the world of criminal investigations—our cellphones. As forensic scientist Joseph Scott Morgan points out, these ubiquitous gadgets have evolved into veritable “crime scenes,” capturing an immense amount of data that can be pivotal in solving crimes.

Reflecting on recent high-profile cases, such as the University of Idaho murders and the tragic killing of Ana Walshe allegedly at the hands of her husband Brian Walshe, the role of cellphone data has been undeniably critical. Both prosecutors and defense teams have increasingly relied on the digital trails left behind on these devices to build compelling cases, something that was far less common a decade ago.

Professor Morgan, who teaches at Jacksonville State University, shared with Fox News Digital that many people are unaware of how much information their phones collect. “We’re so married to it that people cannot see themselves absent this thing,” he remarked, emphasizing the profound connection people have with their phones. Despite the potential consequences, individuals are reluctant to part with their devices, even as they unwittingly carry around what he describes as a “crime scene in their pocket.”

In a striking image of modern reliance, clients are seen charging their phones at the Miracle City Empowerment Center in Conroe, Texas, a scene captured by photographer Brett Coomer for the Houston Chronicle. This snapshot underscores the indispensable nature of smartphones in daily life, serving as both essential tools and, increasingly, pivotal pieces of evidence in the pursuit of justice.

Clients charge their phones at the Miracle City Empowerment Center on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023, in Conroe, Texas. (Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images)

Morgan said there’s much more evidence on a person’s cellphone than many expect, such as search history, metadata, deleted conversations, GPS data, time stamps and more.

“Now you’ve literally got digital breadcrumbs that might be hiding in the data and you can begin to track them,” Morgan said. “And the thing about it is they’re time-stamped. And this goes to, if someone is trying to alibi themselves, for instance, ‘Wow, I wasn’t there,’ or ‘I never thought about that, contemplated that.’ Well, we show here in the data that we’ve collected out of your phone it.”

Here are three criminal cases in 2025 that relied heavily on cellphone data:

University of Idaho murders:

Bryan Kohberger pleaded guilty to murder in the Nov. 13, 2022 killings of University of Idaho students Xana Kernodle, 20, Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Madison Mogen, 21, and Ethan Chapin, 20.

Bryan Kohberger appears at the Ada County Courthouse for his sentencing hearing, Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in Boise, Idaho, for brutally stabbing four University of Idaho students to death. (AP Photo/Kyle Green, Pool)

FBI cellphone tower data obtained by NBC’s “Dateline” allegedly showed that Kohberger’s cellphone pinged nearly a dozen times to a tower that provides coverage to an area within 100 feet of 1122 King Road, where the four University of Idaho students were killed. The late-night drives all allegedly happened starting in July 2022 and continued through mid-August 2022.

According to the report, Kohberger’s late-night trips to the King Road area started after a Moscow pool party he was invited to. Kohberger allegedly visited the area three more times in the first two weeks of October 2022.

In total, FBI cellphone records allegedly indicated that Kohberger was within 100 meters of the King Road house on 23 occasions, including one time on Nov. 7. All the trips were after dark.

Brian Walshe’s murder of his wife, Ana:

Brian Walshe was sentenced to life in prison plus a 22-year sentence on Dec. 18 after he was convicted of killing and dismembering his wife, Ana, after she disappeared on New Year’s Day in 2023.

Massachusetts State Trooper Nicholas Guarino, an expert on digital forensics, testified during Brian’s trial that he made several incriminating Google searches, which included the name of the man previously involved in an affair with Ana. 

Brian Walshe leaves court after sentencing at Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass., Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025. Walshe was sentenced to life without parole for the murder of his wife, Ana Walshe. (David McGlynn for Fox News Digital)

The Google and Yahoo searches made by Brian included the following, according to Guarino:

– “Best ways to dispose of body parts after murder.”

– “How long does DNA last?”

– “Is it possible to clean DNA off a knife?”

– “How long someone missing until inheritance.”

Ana Walshe pictured in a May 2022 Instagram post. (Ana Walshe/Instagram)

Brian’s wife had a $2.7 million life insurance policy which he was the beneficiary of, court records show. He owed nearly $500,000 in restitution for his federal case.

Karen Read:

Karen Read was acquitted of second-degree murder in June after her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe, died. She was accused of ramming O’Keefe with her Lexus SUV, then leaving him to die during a snowstorm after the couple had a drunken argument.

Karen Read outside of Norfolk County Superior Court, Friday, June 13, 2025, in Dedham, Mass. (Richard Beetham for Fox News Digital)

During the trial, witness Jennifer McCabe admitted to searching for “hos [sic] long to die in cold,” and claimed Read instructed her to make the search.

“You also testified that at the time you Google search those phrases, it was Karen Read screaming and yelling at you, shaking you to Google ‘hypothermia,’” defense attorney Alan Jackson asked.

“Correct,” McCabe responded.

However, Kerry Roberts, who was a friend of Read’s, testified that she never actually heard Read ask for McCabe to make the searches.