Using Cell-Site Data, GPS, Vehicle Telematics, and Fitness Trackers to Test an Alleged Timeline

Independent Military Defense Investigations

Supporting Attorneys, Service Members, and Families

Publication Date: August 31, 2026

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Executive Summary

Location data can test an alleged timeline only when the defense understands what each technology measures, how precise it is, and who was actually using the device or vehicle.

Cell-site records, device GPS, vehicle telematics, application history, photographs, and fitness trackers may appear to describe the same movement, yet each source has different precision, timing, sampling, retention, and attribution limits. Apparent conflicts may reflect different devices, different users, clock settings, or different technical capabilities.

This Authority Publication explains how to collect provider records and technical documentation, preserve original exports, normalize time zones, assess gaps and sampling intervals, distinguish ownership from use, and build a source-labeled timeline that shows conflicts instead of hiding them.

Read the complete publication to understand how location technologies can confirm, exclude, or merely suggest movement—and why a defensible conclusion must remain within the limits of the underlying data.

Who Should Read This Publication?

Military Defense Counsel

Use this guide to define the precise location or timing proposition, identify preservation and production needs, select qualified experts, and prevent demonstratives or summaries from overstating the data.

Defense Investigators

Learn how to map providers and custodians, preserve exports, document collection methods, reconcile time zones, investigate device-user attribution, and disclose missing intervals or inconsistent sources.

Service Members

Understand that a phone, vehicle, watch, or account does not automatically prove your location. Give counsel complete information about devices, shared access, vehicles, accounts, and time settings without deleting or changing data.

Experts

Assess precision, sampling, attribution, clock behavior, technical documentation, and error limits for each source. Explain what the data can include, exclude, or only suggest.

Families

Help identify devices, accounts, vehicles, receipts, photographs, or lawful records that may preserve a timeline. Do not access accounts without authorization or modify device settings and data.

Download the Official Authority Publication (PDF)

Companion Video

This companion video expands on the investigative concepts presented in this Authority Publication through additional explanation, practical examples, and professional investigative insight.

About Michael West

The investigative guidance presented throughout these Authority Publications is based upon decades of professional experience conducting military, federal, criminal, civil, and private investigations. The principles discussed in these publications are drawn from real investigative work involving complex cases, witness development, evidence analysis, and factual case preparation.

Michael West has served as a Special Agent with the United States Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI) and the Department of Defense Inspector General, conducted federal background investigations, and spent decades working as a licensed private investigator supporting attorneys, businesses, service members, and private clients. Throughout his career, his work has focused on identifying facts, locating witnesses, analyzing evidence, and strengthening the factual foundation of legal cases through independent investigation.

The Military Defense Investigation Knowledge Base was created to share that investigative experience in a practical, understandable format. Its purpose is to help attorneys, service members, and families better understand the investigative process, ask more informed questions, and recognize opportunities where independent investigation may strengthen the defense.

Important Information

This Authority Publication is provided for educational and informational purposes and is intended to help readers better understand military defense investigations and the investigative process. It is based upon professional investigative experience and is designed to provide practical investigative insight rather than legal advice.

Every military case is unique. The investigative strategies, factual issues, and legal considerations applicable to one case may not apply to another. Readers should consult with a qualified attorney regarding legal rights, legal strategy, and decisions involving their individual circumstances.

Nothing contained in this publication should be interpreted as creating an attorney-client relationship or an investigator-client relationship. References to investigative techniques, procedures, or case examples are provided solely to illustrate investigative principles and should not be considered legal guidance.

Effective military defense is strengthened by informed legal representation supported by thorough factual investigation. The purpose of these Authority Publications is to help readers better understand that investigative process so they can communicate more effectively with qualified legal counsel and make informed decisions throughout the military justice process.