Montana -- State Forensics (Division of Criminal Investigations)

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to Montana Public Records Act, Article II, § 9:

### Background ###

Law enforcement often make use of mobile phone forensics tools. These can be used to extract data from a seized smartphone, such as contact lists, photos, messages and more. Some devices can also be used to bypass the lock or PIN code on phones.

My request is in relation to all mobile phone forensics tools, including hardware, such as devices provided by a company called Cellebrite, and software, such as analysis programs sold by COMPELSON Labs.

### Request ###

I hereby request the following records:

Records regarding the acquisition, maintenance, upgrade and subscription costs of mobile phone forensics software and/or hardware, including invoices, purchases orders, contracts, loan agreements, procurement documents (but not limited to solicitation documents or notices of proposed contracts, proposed bids, unsolicited proposals, and/or documents justifying contracting without full and open competition), correspondence with companies providing the software and/or hardware (including, but not limited to Cellebrite, IP-Box, Kessler, and COMPELSON Labs), and similar documents, from January 1st 2010 to the date of this request.

In order to help to determine my status to assess fees, you should know that I am journalist writing for Motherboard, VICE's technology and science site, and that this request is being made as part of news gathering.

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I would request your response within ten (10) business days.

Sincerely,

Joseph Cox

Hi John,

Thank you for the estimate. Is there any specific aspect of the request that is particularly burdensome on the agency? If so, let me know and I can try and narrow my request appropriately.

Thank you,

Hi John,

Thank you for the clarification. Please could you give me an estimate for my request if we remove the correspondence with companies section? In other words, my request would be amended to:

Records regarding the acquisition, maintenance, upgrade and subscription costs of mobile phone forensics software and/or hardware, including invoices, purchases orders, contracts, loan agreements, procurement documents (but not limited to solicitation documents or notices of proposed contracts, proposed bids, unsolicited proposals, and/or documents justifying contracting without full and open competition), from January 1st 2010 to the date of this request.

Thank you, appreciated,

Joseph

To Whom It May Concern:

Please find enclosed a check for $97.55 to satisfy the fee associated with the attached public records request.

Thank you.

Hi John,

This check was sent on September 8, 2016 to:

Montana Department of Justice
Attn: John Barnes
215 N Sanders
PO Box 201401
Helena, MT 59620-1401

Thank you,
Beryl, MuckRock

Hi John,

I can send another check. Could you please void the first one if it arrives?

Thanks so much,
Beryl, MuckRock

To Whom It May Concern:

Please find enclosed a check for $97.55 to satisfy the fee associated with the attached public records request. Please cancel any other checks received in relationship to this request.

Thank you.