The family has rejected the NCCIA’s proposed smartwatch forensic examination and called for an independent investigation by the Punjab Forensic Science Agency.
LAHORE, PAKISTAN — WEB DESK: The family of Mir Raza Ali, who was killed in Lahore, has opposed the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency’s (NCCIA) proposed forensic examination of his smartwatch and called for the device to instead be examined by the Punjab Forensic Science Agency (PFSA).
According to Geo News, the family has raised concerns over the proposed forensic process and is seeking an independent examination of the smartwatch as part of the ongoing investigation into Ali’s death.
Family seeks PFSA examination
The family has requested that the smartwatch be handed over to the Punjab Forensic Science Agency, arguing that the device should undergo forensic analysis through an independent provincial forensic institution.
The request comes as investigators examine digital and electronic evidence that could potentially help establish the circumstances surrounding Ali’s death.
The smartwatch is considered potentially significant because wearable devices can contain information such as activity records, location-related data and other digital evidence, depending on the device and its configuration.
However, the evidentiary value of any information recovered from the device will depend on proper forensic procedures, preservation of the original evidence and verification by investigators.
NCCIA involved in digital forensics
The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency is examining the digital evidence in the case.
The agency’s involvement reflects the growing role of digital forensics in criminal investigations, particularly where electronic devices may contain information relevant to a victim’s movements or activities.
The family, however, has objected to the NCCIA conducting the smartwatch examination and has called for the PFSA to handle the forensic process instead.
The dispute over the examination does not itself establish the contents of the smartwatch or indicate what evidence investigators may ultimately recover.
Investigation remains underway
Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding Mir Raza Ali’s killing.
The family has called for transparency in the handling of evidence and wants the smartwatch examination to be conducted through the PFSA.
Forensic examination of electronic devices generally requires careful preservation and documentation to ensure that evidence is not altered or compromised. Investigators may also need to compare digital findings with other evidence collected during the investigation.
The case remains under investigation, and any conclusions about the circumstances of Ali’s death should await verified findings from investigators and forensic authorities.
Why smartwatch evidence can matter
Modern smartwatches can record a range of information, including movement, activity and, on some models, location or connected-device data.
Such information can potentially assist investigators in establishing a timeline. However, digital records must be authenticated and interpreted alongside conventional evidence before they can support conclusions about a criminal case.
The family’s request for a PFSA examination therefore places the handling and forensic verification of the smartwatch at the centre of the latest development in the case.
Authorities have yet to publicly disclose the full forensic findings from the device.
