Computer Forensics
Expert forensic examination of desktops, laptops, servers, and digital storage media for litigation support. Court-admissible analysis using EnCase, FTK, and X-Ways with strict chain of custody protocols.
Overview
Our computer forensics services deliver forensically sound examination of Windows, macOS, and Linux systems to uncover critical evidence for civil and criminal litigation. We employ industry-standard tools including EnCase Forensic, FTK (Forensic Toolkit), and X-Ways Forensics — platforms with extensive legal precedent and court acceptance. Our methodology adheres to NIST SP 800-86 standards for integrating forensic techniques into evidence collection, ensuring admissibility under Daubert and Frye standards. Every examination maintains strict chain of custody protocols with cryptographic hash validation (SHA-256), hardware write-blocking during acquisition, and detailed documentation suitable for judicial scrutiny. From recovering deleted files to reconstructing comprehensive user activity timelines, our certified examiners transform raw forensic artifacts into clear, compelling evidence narratives.
When You Need This Service
Employment litigation involving intellectual property theft, trade secret misappropriation, or employee misconduct requiring analysis of work computers and file servers
Civil litigation involving electronic communications, contract disputes, or fraud allegations where computer-based evidence is central to case theories
Financial crime investigations including fraud, embezzlement, and money laundering requiring analysis of accounting software, spreadsheets, and financial records
Divorce and family law cases requiring examination of browser history, emails, financial application usage, and document metadata on shared or personal computers
Regulatory compliance investigations requiring audit trail reconstruction, document authentication, and analysis of enterprise system logs
Criminal defense and prosecution requiring extraction of user activity timelines, internet history, file access records, and communications from computers
Data spoliation investigations determining whether evidence was intentionally deleted, overwritten, or concealed on computer systems
Insurance fraud cases requiring analysis of computer records, email communications, and document creation timelines to prove or disprove claims
Our Methodology
Forensic imaging using hardware write-blockers (Tableau, Wiebetech) to create bit-by-bit duplicates in E01 format with SHA-256 hash verification ensuring evidence integrity
Deleted file recovery through advanced data carving techniques, unallocated space analysis, and file signature matching to recover documents, emails, and media files
Windows Registry analysis (SAM, SYSTEM, NTUSER.DAT, UsrClass.dat) uncovering program execution history, file access patterns, USB device connections, network shares, and user activities
Windows Event Log examination (.evtx) for authentication attempts, privilege escalation, system configuration changes, and PowerShell execution history
Browser artifact extraction from Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari including history, cookies, cache, downloads, saved credentials, autofill data, and session recovery
Timeline analysis using Plaso/Log2Timeline to create comprehensive super-timelines aggregating file system metadata, event logs, prefetch files, shellbags, link files, and jump lists
Email forensics for locally stored mailboxes: Outlook PST/OST examination, Thunderbird MBOX analysis, and recovery of deleted messages from recoverable items folders
Document metadata examination: Microsoft Office properties (author, company, creation and modification timestamps, revision count, template analysis) detecting fabricated or backdated evidence
Encrypted volume analysis for BitLocker, FileVault, and VeraCrypt through memory-based key extraction, recovery key analysis, hibernation file examination, and live system acquisition
Cloud synchronization artifact analysis: OneDrive, Dropbox, Google Drive, and iCloud sync logs revealing file upload, download, and sharing activity from the local computer
USB device connection history through Windows Registry USBSTOR keys, setupapi logs, link files, and $I30 index records identifying all external storage devices ever connected
Comprehensive reporting with detailed findings, visual timelines, demonstrative exhibits, and authentication documentation suitable for expert testimony
What You Receive
Forensic analysis report documenting findings, methodology, tools used (EnCase, FTK, X-Ways), and complete chain of custody documentation
Chain of custody records with SHA-256 hash verification at acquisition and each analysis stage, acquisition logs, and evidence handling records
Evidence files in court-admissible formats: forensic images (E01), extracted data exports (PDF, CSV, native formats), and indexed keyword search results
Expert witness testimony and deposition support with court-qualified analysts experienced in federal and state proceedings
Visual timeline presentations showing comprehensive user activity reconstructed from file system artifacts, event logs, and application data
Demonstrative exhibits for judge and jury presentation including annotated screenshots, activity charts, and relationship maps
Document metadata analysis reports proving or disproving document authenticity, detecting backdating, and establishing true authorship
USB device usage reports documenting all external storage connections with timestamps, device serial numbers, and associated file transfer evidence
Deleted file recovery reports identifying recovered documents, emails, and media with analysis of deletion methods and timing
Technical consultation throughout litigation including discovery strategy, opposing expert rebuttal, and forensic case assessment
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a typical computer forensics examination take?
A standard forensic examination typically takes 1-3 weeks depending on data volume, case complexity, and investigation scope. Emergency response cases can begin within 4 hours, with preliminary findings available within 48-72 hours. Factors affecting timeline include device condition, encryption status, storage capacity (terabyte-scale drives require more processing time), and specific requirements like comprehensive deleted file recovery or full timeline reconstruction across multiple data sources.
Can you recover deleted files from computers?
Yes, deleted file recovery is one of our core capabilities. For traditional hard drives (HDDs), recovery rates are typically 80-95% if data has not been overwritten by new content. We employ data carving techniques that scan unallocated disk space for file signatures regardless of file system entries. SSDs present greater challenges due to TRIM commands that instruct the drive to erase deleted data blocks, making time-critical response essential. We also recover deleted emails from Outlook and other mail clients, browser history that users attempted to clear, and documents from Windows shadow copies and previous file versions.
Is evidence from your examinations admissible in court?
Yes, our forensic methodology is designed for legal admissibility under Federal Rules of Evidence 902(13)-(14) and meets Daubert and Frye standards. We employ write-blocking technology to prevent evidence alteration, cryptographic hash verification (SHA-256) to prove data integrity, and strict chain of custody protocols. Our examiners hold certifications including EnCE, CFCE, and ACE, and are experienced in providing expert witness testimony across state and federal courts. All tools used (EnCase, FTK, X-Ways) have extensive legal precedent and peer-reviewed validation.
What types of computers and storage devices can you examine?
We examine all computer platforms including Windows desktops and laptops, macOS systems (MacBook, iMac, Mac Pro), Linux workstations and servers, and legacy systems. Storage media includes internal and external hard drives (HDD and SSD), USB flash drives, SD and microSD cards, network-attached storage (NAS), RAID arrays, optical media, and legacy formats. Our lab maintains specialized equipment for chip-off recovery from physically damaged storage and direct disk access for systems that will not boot normally.
How much does computer forensics cost for a legal case?
Costs vary based on case complexity, data volume, and urgency. Typical ranges: single computer examination ($3,000-$8,000), multi-system investigation ($10,000-$25,000), expert witness testimony ($350-$500/hour), and emergency response carries a 25-50% premium. We provide detailed cost estimates after initial assessment and offer flexible pricing including hourly rates and fixed-fee engagements. Most civil litigation computer examinations range from $5,000-$15,000 including expert report and deposition support.
Can you detect if someone tried to destroy evidence on a computer?
Yes, detecting evidence spoliation is a critical forensic capability. We identify signs of intentional data destruction including use of secure deletion tools (CCleaner, Eraser, DBAN), selective file deletion targeting only case-relevant materials, clearing of browser history and recent document lists, and attempts to factory reset or reinstall the operating system. Windows artifacts such as Event Logs, USN Journal entries, and prefetch files often survive deletion attempts and reveal what tools were used and when. Evidence of spoliation can result in adverse inference instructions and sanctions from the court, making forensic proof of destruction attempts highly valuable to litigation strategy.
Related Services
Explore our other digital forensics capabilities