Co-Authored by Glenn Posein, Vice President of Regional Sales, Purpose Legal and Micah Rasmussen, Vice President of U.S. Sales Operations, ModeOne
Mobile devices are treasure troves of critical evidence. From iMessages and WhatsApp chats to photos, call logs, and GPS data—smartphones often hold the key to unlocking case facts. Yet, we continue to hear one recurring question from clients: “Can’t we just take a screenshot?”
It’s a fair question. Screenshots are quick, accessible, and seemingly useful. But when it comes to legal proceedings, screenshots can do more harm than good.
The Problem with Screenshots
While screenshots may seem like a convenient way to preserve data, they are rarely, if ever, considered defensible evidence in court. Here’s why:
- No Metadata: Screenshots don’t capture the underlying metadata that proves where, when, and how a message was sent or received. Without this, it’s impossible to validate authenticity or context.
- Easily Altered: Screenshots can be manipulated or staged with relative ease, undermining their credibility and exposing your legal team to evidentiary challenges.
- No Chain of Custody: There is no formal collection protocol or documentation to verify how the screenshot was taken, by whom, and under what conditions.
For any organization or legal team tasked with managing litigation, internal investigations, or regulatory compliance, relying on screenshots is a high-risk shortcut that leaves room for dispute.
A Smarter, Defensible Alternative: ModeOne + Purpose Legal
Enter ModeOne, a self-service SaaS platform that, when paired with Purpose Legal’s expert support, delivers a secure, streamlined, and fully defensible mobile data collection solution.
Here’s how it works—and why it matters:
Built-In Defensibility
ModeOne uses officially recognized Apple and Android protocols to initiate read-only, remote data requests from smartphones. This ensures data integrity, prevents tampering, and maintains a clear chain of custody from the moment of collection.
Full Metadata + Native Format Exports
Unlike screenshots, ModeOne collects mobile data with all associated metadata intact. The information is encrypted, hashed, and exportable in its native format, allowing for independent validation with third-party tools or forensic experts.
Collection-Level Documentation
Every ModeOne collection is accompanied by a comprehensive report detailing:
- Device make/model and serial number
- Phone number associated with the device
- Data requested vs. data delivered (scope & results summary)
- Timestamps and responsible examiner
- Verification hashes for every file collected
This kind of audit trail is exactly what courts and regulators look for when assessing evidence credibility.
Efficient, Cost-Certain Workflows
ModeOne’s self-service framework empowers clients to initiate remote and targeted collections -eliminating the delays and high costs of traditional methods that rely on specialized hardware and in-person device access. When integrated with Purpose Legal’s review and advisory services, clients gain a defensible, highly efficient, scalable, and privacy-protecting solution.
When It Matters Most, Go Beyond the Screenshot
If your team is still relying on screenshots to preserve mobile evidence, now is the time to rethink your approach. The risks to your case strategy—and your credibility—are too great.
By partnering with ModeOne and Purpose Legal, you can move away from ad hoc, vulnerable practices and toward a future-proof, defensible solution that meets today’s legal and regulatory standards.
Want to see how it works?
Reach out to our team for a demo or discovery session today.
About ModeOne Technologies
ModeOne is the leading provider of targeted, remote mobile data collection solutions, enabling corporations, law firms, and investigators to efficiently collect, process, analyze, and manage digital evidence from smartphones. With a focus on security, efficiency, and compliance, ModeOne’s innovative approach reduces costs and streamlines the data collection process without a physical mobile collection kit or onsite technicians. The patented SaaS solution’s data targeting capability protects the privacy of data custodians and doesn’t require custodians to relinquish their devices or interrupt use of their phones during the collection process.
