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Phones are critical tools in criminal investigations for several reasons, thanks to their ability to store and transmit vast amounts of information. Here are some ways phones are used in criminal investigations:

1. Call Records and Contacts
- Call Logs: Investigators can obtain call logs to see who the suspect has been in contact with. This can help identify accomplices, victims, or witnesses.
- Contacts: The phone's contact list can provide a network of associates that might be relevant to the investigation.

2. Text Messages and Emails
- SMS and MMS: Text messages can reveal conversations, plans, and evidence of criminal activity.
- Emails: Email correspondence stored on the phone can also be crucial in understanding communications and transactions related to the crime.

3. Location Data
- GPS and Cell Tower Data: Phones often store GPS data and connect to cell towers, which can help investigators track the movements of a suspect before, during, and after a crime.
- Geofencing: This technique can determine if the suspect was within a specific area at a particular time.

4. Social Media Activity
- Posts and Messages: Social media activity, including posts, direct messages, and interactions, can provide insight into the suspect’s behavior and state of mind.
- Friends and Followers: The suspect's network on social media can reveal connections to other persons of interest.

5. Internet Browsing History
- Web Searches: Browsing history can show if the suspect researched criminal activities, potential targets, or how to carry out specific crimes.
- Visited Websites: Websites visited can indicate the suspect's interests and plans.

6. Multimedia Files
- Photos and Videos: Photos and videos stored on the phone can provide visual evidence of criminal activity, associates, and locations.
- Audio Recordings: Some suspects may record conversations or other audio that could be relevant to the case.

7. Apps and Usage Data
- App Data: Data from apps can reveal additional communications, transactions, and other activities related to the crime.
- Usage Patterns: Analysis of app usage patterns can provide insights into the suspect’s daily routines and behaviors.

8. Financial Transactions
- Mobile Payments: Transactions made through mobile payment apps can trace the flow of money.
- Banking Apps: Access to banking apps can reveal financial activities that may be relevant to the investigation.

9. Metadata Analysis
- File Metadata: Metadata from photos, videos, and other files can provide timestamps and location data, offering a timeline of events.

10. Forensic Tools
- Digital Forensics: Specialized software tools can recover deleted data, decrypt encrypted files, and analyze the phone’s memory for hidden information.
- Cloning and Extraction: Investigators often clone the phone's data for in-depth analysis without tampering with the original evidence.

Legal Considerations
- Warrants and Privacy: Accessing a suspect’s phone typically requires a warrant due to privacy laws. Investigators must demonstrate probable cause to a judge to obtain such a warrant.
- Chain of Custody: Maintaining a strict chain of custody for the phone and its data ensures that the evidence is admissible in court.

Overall, the wealth of data stored on and accessible through smartphones makes them invaluable in modern criminal investigations, providing comprehensive insights into the actions, communications, and whereabouts of suspects.