Sarah Markel, Ph.D., is a highly respected digital forensics expert and retired Detroit Police Department Detective with over 25 years of law enforcement service, including eight years in the Major Crimes Unit. Her investigative experience spans homicide, sexual assault, child exploitation, shootings, and other complex criminal investigations.

Dr. Markel specializes in the forensic extraction and analysis of mobile and electronic devices and has conducted examinations on more than 10,000 devices, including smartphones, tablets, and digital storage media. Her work has played a critical role in some of the most serious and technically complex cases handled by law enforcement and the courts.

She is extensively trained and certified in industry-leading digital forensic tools and remains at the forefront of mobile forensics by continuously adapting to emerging technologies and evolving data ecosystems. Dr. Markel has been recognized as an expert witness in Mobile Device Forensic Extraction and Analysis in over 80 cases across federal, circuit, and district courts, where she is known for clear, credible, and defensible testimony.

Her certifications include, but are not limited to:

-              Cellebrite Advanced Smartphone Analysis

-              Cellebrite Certified Physical Analyst (CCPA)

-              Cellebrite Certified Operator (CCO)

-              Specialized training in mobile device and GPS analysis

-              Digital evidence retrieval and legal considerations pre- and post-seizure

-              Device repair, disassembly, and digital footprint analysis

Academically, Dr. Markel holds:

Ph.D. in Conflict Analysis and Resolution – Nova Southeastern University

M.A. in Diplomacy – Norwich University

B.A. in Political Science – Wayne State University

Today, Dr. Markel applies her combined investigative, technical, and academic expertise through Digital Data Insights LLC, providing objective digital forensic services grounded in experience, precision, and professional integrity.