An iPhone allegedly belonging to former model Reeva Steenkamp is central to the police investigation into her murder by boyfriend Oscar Pistorius.
Pistorius is accused of murdering Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day this year. The iPhone in question was found in the bloodied bathroom of Pistorius’ home in Pretoria, and apparently contains volumes of encrypted data, according to a report by Times Live.
Yesterday, police were given three months to conclude the investigations into Steenkamp’s murder.
The iPhone was reportedly one of four phones taken from Pistorius’ home in Pretoria and it has been suggested it is the same phone Steenkamp took with her when she locked herself in the bathroom, where she was shot dead.
A source told Times Live much of the data had been downloaded off the other phones, except the iPhone, which belonged to Steenkamp. The source said the mobile phone was “either completely or at least partially encrypted”.
“There are serious concerns around when the people and its data [were] encrypted and why,” said the source.
Furthermore, it is believed the data on on the mobile phone could possibly reveal Steenkamp’s last calls or messages.
Haroon Meer, an information security specialist, told Times Live the police could approach Apple for assistance in decrypting the data on the iPhone.
“Apple could get them data on SMSs, calls and phonebook contacts. The question is time, with Apple recently reporting a backlog in calls for help from law-enforcement agencies worldwide,” said Meer.
Phuti Setati, police spokesperson and brigadier, said: “We are making progress… we are making sure that justice will be served.”
He however declined to comment on the encrypted mobile phone.
