Smart watch data helps Australian police close murder case

Australian police determined time of death in a murder case and other relevant information by carefully analyzing data collected by the victim”s Apple smartwatch. 57-year-old Myrna Nilsson from Adelaide, Australia, was found dead in her home in September 2016 and the police already had a prime suspect – her daughter-in law, Caroline Nilsson.

At the time of her death, Myrna Nilsson was wearing the smartwatch that collected data in real-time. The data contradicted her daughter-in-law”s testimony who claimed Myrna had been followed home by men and argued with them. Caroline claimed she didn”t hear the attack in the house and was later tied up by the attackers.

The smartwatch, however, contradicts her statement, supporting prosecutors” allegations that she was murdered her mother-in-law and then covered up the murder scene. The watch recorded activity and heart rate data compatible with a struggle and then with her body going into shock and losing consciousness. There was also no DNA evidence of attackers in the house.

“The evidence from the Apple iWatch is a foundational piece of evidence for demonstrating the falsity of the defendant’s account to police,” prosecutor Carmen Matteo said.

“A watch of this type … contains sensors capable of tracking the movement and rate of movement of the person wearing it and it keeps a history of the wearer’s daily activity, it also measures the heart rate.”

Caroline Nilsson was arrested for murder last month, after being a prime suspect for two years.