with a staggering 66 devices – a huge number in comparison to
the typical homicide case. Allwine used multiple devices to further
obscure his online activity. On his Reddit account, also using the
pseudonym “dogdaygod,” Allwine frequently researched questions
pertaining to safe use of the Dark Web, the likelihood of law
enforcement presence on the Dark Web, how to use disposable
computers, and how to remain anonymous on the Internet. To access
the Dark Web, Allwine used virtual private network services and the
TOR network. These services act as portals to the Dark Web and
encrypt accessed information by relaying it through a series of other
networks. Incredibly, Allwine also used disposable email accounts
to report evidence of his stolen Bitcoin to police after the hit did
not materialize. He even created a fictitious person to frame for the
stolen Bitcoin.
Allwine’s digital narrative also revealed a browsing history consistent
with his intention to murder Amy and his desire to frame fictitious
parties. On more than one occasion, Allwine reviewed his and Amy’s
insurance policies as well as real estate and future home construction
possibilities. In an effort to blame an unidentified third party, Allwine
sent his wife a threatening email using an anonymous email service –
after he had used doxxing (the process by which personal information
is bought and sold on the Internet, often with malicious intent) to
uncover information about Amy’s family to personalize his email and
make it appear as if it was sent by a business rival.
Ultimately, forensic analysis shed light on the actual truth of what
occurred, which pointed solely to Stephen Allwine as the guilty
party. This case incorporates some of the most complicated aspects
of digital evidence. It was complex in part because Allwine had done
everything in his power to conceal his activity, remain anonymous,
and hide as much as possible about his intent. Digital forensic
analysis revealed critical details that filled in gaps in the physical
evidence – gaps that may have inspired doubt in the jury and led
to a different verdict. As Washington County attorney Pete Orput
described the role of digital evidence in this case, “Mark’s forensic
work and testimony about it to a jury made my murder case seem
simple and overwhelming, and without this work the case would
have been a horse race.”
This article originally appeared in Bench & Bar of Minnesota, the official
publication of the Minnesota State Bar Association.
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Wick Corwin
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