WILLIMANTIC — Police officers and prosecutors working in Middlesex, New London, Tolland and Windham counties recently attended full-day professional training focused on the evolving relationship between the Fourth Amendment and modern digital evidence.
Division of Criminal Justice prosecutors and an FBI investigator led the March 17, 2026 training session held at Eastern Connecticut State University and hosted by Middlesex Judicial District State's Attorney Michael A. Gailor, New London Judicial District State's Attorney Paul J. Narducci, Tolland Judicial District State's Attorney Craig P. Nowak and Windham Judicial District State's Attorney John F. Fahey.
Supervisory Assistant State's Attorney Seth R. Garbarsky of the Cold Case Unit and Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Ronald G. Weller of the Appellate Bureau, both from the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney, discussed digital evidence, exploring investigative trends, emerging case law, and practical considerations for handling electronic data within constitutional boundaries.
Emanuel Hatzikostas, an FBI Master Digital Forensic Examiner, delivered a detailed overview of cell phone extractions, covering modern extraction techniques, device limitations, and the rapidly shifting technological landscape that investigators must navigate.
The final presentation of the day focused on Automated License Plate Readers, also known as ALPRs. Assistant State’s Attorney Danielle Koch of the Appellate Bureau discussed the legal considerations surrounding ALPR systems.
The training reflects ongoing efforts by the Division of Criminal Justice to strengthen prosecutors' and police officers' fluency in digital evidence as technology becomes increasingly central to criminal cases.
Supervisory Assistant State's Attorney Seth R. Garbarsky of the Cold Case Unit and Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Ronald G. Weller of the Appellate Bureau in the Office of the Chief State's Attorney speak at a State's Attorneys' training session at Eastern Connecticut State University on March 17, 2026.