Police call for unpaid volunteers to clear up digital data backlog after controversy

 Police are appealing for volunteers to wade through a huge backlog of digital data following controversy over undisclosed evidence, particularly in rape cases.

The West Midlands force has advertised for digital forensics team volunteers, to work a minimum of 16 hours a month.

Candidates have been warned they might view disturbing material during the course of their work. They will be unpaid, but will get £5 towards lunch expenses.

The move comes as police grapple with the problem of how to deal with the huge amounts of digital data that now needs to be examined and disclosed as part of the criminal justice process.

A number of high-profile rape cases collapsed last year after it emerged vital evidence had not been identified and disclosed.

It also emerged that a lack of resources meant the Metropolitan Police had in some cases been forced to choose two of a suspect’s devices at random to examine, leading to fears evidence could be missed.