NALI Annual Conference 2026

Michael Littrell

Title: Messages, Mentions, and Mistakes: Exposing Missing, Fabricated, and Unreliable Mobile Evidence

Michael is the Digital Forensics Manager at Cyber Agents, Inc., where he leads complex investigations involving mobile device forensics, cellular data analysis, and advanced digital evidence recovery. With over 18 years of investigative experience, he previously served with the Kentucky Attorney General’s Cyber Crimes Unit, developing expertise in cybercrime investigations and prosecutorial strategy. He holds multiple industry certifications including Certified Forensic Computer Examiner (CFCE), Certified Cell Phone Mobile Examiner (CCME), and GIAC Advanced Smartphone Forensics (GASF).

As an expert witness, Michael has testified in more than 50 federal and state, and military cases around the world, providing technical analysis and strategic consultation on digital evidence ranging from file system artifacts to cellular tower location data. His forensic work spans Windows system analysis, mobile application data extraction, and the development of custom scripts for complex data parsing and validation.

Michael holds a Ph.D. in Applied Sociology from the University of Louisville, with dissertation research examining organizational legitimacy and emotion work. He brings this interdisciplinary perspective to his current part-time teaching role, where he connects technical forensic methodologies with broader questions about how technology, organizational behavior, and legal systems intersect. His work explores the ethical dimensions of AI-assisted investigations and the evolving standards of digital evidence in contemporary legal practice.

Cyber Agents, Inc. is a full-service digital forensics firm based in Lexington, Kentucky, specializing in eDiscovery, data recovery, expert witness testimony, trial consultation, and evidence review. With over 1,000 digital examinations conducted and 100 international testimonies without disqualification, the firm serves a diverse client base including private law firms, public defenders, military organizations, and corporate entities. Cyber Agents works with both prosecution and defense counsel, providing personalized case management and expert analysis across complex digital investigations. Their services span mobile device forensics, cellular data analysis, computer forensics, and litigation support, with a commitment to delivering technically sound and legally defensible results. As a small business, Cyber Agents emphasizes individualized attention and free initial consultation for all clients.