More than half of criminal investigations now involve requests for cross-border access to electronic evidence, according to a new report from Europol and Eurojust. The SIRIUS Electronic Evidence Situation Report, published on Aug. 27, outlines legal and technical obstacles facing law enforcement, judicial authorities and service providers. The report found that the volume of data requests is 3.5 times higher than in 2018, with emergency requests also increasing. Cryptocurrency exchanges have become one of the three most frequently requested types of service providers. Investigators continue to face difficulties when data is stored across multiple jurisdictions or its location is unknown. Judicial authorities reported that existing cooperation mechanisms can be slow and procedurally complex, potentially resulting in the loss of critical evidence. The report also warned that the absence of an EU-wide data-retention framework could make important information unavailable during investigations. The forthcoming EU e-Evidence legislative package is expected to create more harmonized and streamlined procedures while safeguarding fundamental rights. Europol and Eurojust said law enforcement agencies need additional training, while service providers will need to adapt internal processes and information-technology systems to comply with the new framework. Post navigation Man Charged After Taxi Threat Two Men Charged After Queensland Crime Spree