‘Mobile Ping Data’ – Metadata for Tracking

Abstract

In this paper Professor Reg Coutts and Hugh Selby explain the current technology and associated data available to assist with monitoring the location and movement of mobile devices. Their paper describes the source of Visiting Location Register (VLR) data and how it can be used to infer ‘trajectory’ of mobile phones and other mobile devices when they are switched on and when there is no call activity and hence no associated Call Charge Records (CCRs). The authors examine the potential of VLR data to provide greater insight into the movement of mobile devices of interest enhances the capabilities of law enforcement to build a case.

Index words: Australia, Mobile devices, Telephone, SIM, tracking, records, proof of location