The investigation into the death of Rojin Kabaiş, whose body was found 18 days after she went to university in Van, has reportedly moved into a more technical phase: a forensic assessment focused on HTS (cellular trace), base station (
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a “forensic HTS (cellular trace) report” actually involve?
An HTS report typically compiles cellular network records tied to a phone number or device identifiers, such as timestamps and which base stations handled communications. Investigators may use this to reconstruct a likely movement pattern. However, it shows where the phone connected to towers—not exactly where the person physically was in every moment.
How can base station data help investigators, and what are its limits?
Base station data can narrow the area where a phone was likely connected at specific times, sometimes allowing rough triangulation with multiple towers. But locations are probabilistic, not precise GPS. Coverage overlaps, signal strength variations, and tower congestion can shift the inferred area, so it may not prove a specific location without corroborating evidence.
What can CCTV footage add beyond cellular traces?
CCTV can provide direct visual context: people entering or leaving areas, times of passage, clothing or appearance, and whether a device-carrying person appears near relevant locations. CCTV can also confirm or challenge the timing suggested by HTS data. Still, video depends on camera placement, image quality, and whether recordings exist for the required time window.
If her body was found 18 days after she went missing, how does that affect HTS and CCTV findings?
The delay mainly affects evidence availability. Cellular and CCTV records may be retained only for limited periods, depending on system policies and operator practices. Even when data exists, the longer the gap, the harder it becomes to match exact movements continuously. Investigators therefore often rely on whatever logs and footage remain for the critical dates.
Can HTS and CCTV reports establish intent or the exact cause of death?
Usually, no. HTS and CCTV are tools for reconstructing movements and timelines. They can suggest where someone was and when, but they generally cannot determine intent or the medical cause of death. Those conclusions typically require forensic pathology and other specialized analyses, while HTS/CCTV serve to contextualize events.
Why might investigators still need more evidence even after technical reports are produced?
Because technical datasets are not perfect matches to a person’s exact location and actions. Investigators often must reconcile uncertainties: shared devices, mistaken tower connections, gaps in CCTV coverage, and potential inconsistencies between different sources. Strong conclusions usually require corroboration across multiple lines of evidence, not only one technical report.