computer forensics
Forensic Computer Crime Investigation

London and Manchester, UK
0871 231 6806



Forensic Computer Investigations - Computer Crime, Electronic Evidence & Expert Witness services

  • Data Clinic provide digital investigation services into all types of computer and computer related crime
  • Our computer forensics consultants are registered Expert Witnesses
  • Our electronic evidence and forensic investigation procedures are ISO9000 certified
  • We act for both prosecution and defence
  • We offer countrywide investigations plus onsite and offsite services

Whether the system is a standalone computer, portable device or part of an integrated network, Data Clinic’s experienced technicians can assist you from the initial evidence gathering or fact finding, through to the successful outcome - be it external prosecution, Industrial Tribunal or internal disciplinary action.

Data Clinic provide the following assistance for the investigation of digital data:

  • Advice on initiation of an investigation where data recovery is required
  • Advice on the seizing and securing of that evidence
  • Acquire data on site (overtly or covertly) or at the Data Clinic forensic laboratory
  • Recover data that you thought had long gone
  • Examine the recovered data according to the instructions you give us
  • Provide easy to read technical reports outlining our findings
  • Provide expert testimony if required

All our work is carried out following current Best Practice, contemporaneous notes and records are kept to prove the chain of custody.

Our clients are guaranteed confidentiality and all case-related communications are strictly confidential.


Investigative Services

We are able to undertake both on and off-site investigations and as a general rule will use the following stages in our project implementations.


Consultation

The science of computing and the laws of evidence are both complex, we therefore insist that prior to any specific computer forensic investigation being initiated that a protocol for our engagement is established, and that this protocol is fully understood and capable of being implemented by all the parties involved in the planned investigation. To achieve this we will consult with a client to:

  • Establish the specific roles that individuals and organisations will play in the investigation.
  • Identify where matters of evidence are likely to be located.
  • Undertake a mandatory intelligence review in order to establish what types of hardware, software, systems and back-up material might relate to the potential evidence being sought.
  • Communicate a plan for the collection and analysis of data, the processing, documentation and reporting of information,
  • Produce a written estimate of timescales and costs involved.
  • Present a formal contract describing our terms of engagement, matters of confidentiality etc.


System Audit and Data Collection

Following our initial consultation and given your authority to proceed, we will inspect and freeze computer systems and associated components making it impossible for subsequent changes to be made to their content or configuration. Data collection is then undertaken with applications who's use is de-facto in forensic investigations involving information stored on computers.


Securing Evidence

In matters of evidence it is mandatory that a strict "chain-of-custody" is followed and all items are preserved for independent or further safe analysis.


Recovery

The Data Clinic uses specific applications to recover and image the suspect media. Using the Image produced our forensic experts can then investigate the computer system and files for evidence.


Forensic Analysis

Our computer forensic analysts are always operating under the primary instruction and guidance of you the client or your legal counsel in any particular matter. Data Clinic experts are able to advise, interpret and piece together information for you in a comprehensive manner and detail a thorough account of events, computer usage and content. Using forensic image files our expert analysts investigate the media and its content including altered, damaged, removed, hidden or deleted data or data from inactive or unused storage areas on the media. They then provide an historical ledger of the relevant content contained in the files.


Expert Testimony and Reporting

Once the investigation is complete we will support your case by preparing and submitting reports about the evidence found, and the means by which it was discovered. We will also provide data for affidavits or other pleadings, expert testimony and reports.


Termination

The Data Clinic terminates its involvement by submitting the total data collected in a readable format either electronic, print for archive or to an existing litigation support database upon request. We will then consult on the storage and preservation of evidence in the event of appeal or review etc.


> Also see our Network Forensics and Network Monitoring services

For further information please contact us on 0871 231 6806
or use our >CALL BACK FACILITY<

Further reading...

> Data Clinic Case Studies - Read about some of the computer misuse cases the Data Clinic have been involved in
> Illegal photographs on storage media (eg. hard disk) - Brief guidelines regarding the law and indecent photographs / images such as child pornography
> Recovering data & image footage from CCTV equipment
> ACPO Guidelines
- These are guidelines published by the Association of Chief Police Officers regarding Good Practice for Computer based electronic evidence
> General guidelines on the correct seizure of computer media for investigative purposes
> Frequently Asked Questions regarding computer evidence acquisition and investigation
> Engaging the services of the Data Clinic for computer investigation
> "Data Forensics in an International Environment" -
Data Clinic article published in "The Barrister" magazine

> Data hiding experiment: We used our detailed knowledge of hard drive design & data recovery techniques in a simple experiment that enabled us to successfully conceal data on a hard disk. This concealment defeated all the forensic recovery tools (including EnCase and XWays) that were used to find it. Read our data hiding experiment (PDF), and contact us for further details regarding recovering hidden data that uses this technique.

> Network monitoring and investigation services


For further information please contact us on 0871 231 6806
or use our >CALL BACK FACILITY<

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