South African investigators are reportedly trying to gain access to Paralympic champion Oscar Pistorius' mobile phone ahead of the trial that could see him convicted for murder of his model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.
Prosecutors said two iPhones and two BlackBerrys were found on the bathroom floor of Pistorius' villa in Pretoria where Steenkamp was shot dead on Valentine's Day last year.
According to The Independent, police are hoping to secure an agreement with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to back their request for Apple to unlock the iPhone of the 'Blade Runner' so that its content can be analysed and presented in court during the trial, which is due to start on March 3.
The report mentioned that the investigators need Apple to unlock the encrypted data on the phone because Pistorius cannot remember his Apple ID code needed to access his messages, adding that the FBI must approve the request before Apple can be contacted for information.
However, South African police is confident of the prosecution case, with a senior official saying that they have tied up all the 'loose strings' and their witnesses are ready, adding that they are convinced of presenting a strong case against Pistorius.
Meanwhile, Steenkamp's parents said the family is looking for closure and confirmed the dead model's mother will attend the trial in Pretoria next month.
More than 100 witnesses are expected to appear in court, including Pistorius' sister, former girlfriends, residents of gated community Silver Woods in Pretoria and a team of medical, paramedics, ballistic and forensic experts, the report added.