Crime-fighting software developed by police has been bought by a New Zealand security software firm.
Wynyard Group, a subsidiary of Christchurch-based Jade Corporation, has acquired an application called Environment for Virtualised Evidence, or EVE, which rapidly scours mobile phones, PCs and other storage devices for evidence.
Wynyard specialises in applications that are used to protect governments and organisations from crime, corruption and threats.
Chief executive Craig Richardson says the digital forensics market is estimated to be worth $1 billion in the United States alone, and the deal marks the start of a partnership between itself and the police.
He says Wynyard will commercially develop the product for certain export markets.
The price of the deal remains secret, but Mr Richardson says it's effectively a private-public partnership, following interest from overseas agencies wanting to obtain the technology from the police.
