Computer Forensics
Expert forensic examination of computers, laptops, hard drives, SSDs and USB devices. From evidence preservation through to court-ready reporting — methodical, independent and technically rigorous digital forensic analysis.
15+
Years Experience
500+
Cases Examined
100%
Court-Ready Reports
What Is Computer Forensics?
Computer forensics is the application of scientifically derived and proven methods toward the identification, preservation, collection, examination, analysis and interpretation of digital evidence stored on computer systems and associated media.
A computer forensic examination involves the systematic recovery and analysis of data from computer storage media in a manner that maintains the integrity of the evidence and provides a documented chain of custody. The process is designed to produce findings that are accurate, reliable, and admissible in legal proceedings.
Whether the matter involves a criminal investigation, civil litigation, workplace dispute or regulatory inquiry, a properly conducted computer forensic examination can reveal critical digital evidence that would otherwise remain hidden or inaccessible.
Key Principle
Every computer forensic examination follows a documented, repeatable methodology designed to withstand legal scrutiny and cross-examination.
When Is Computer Forensics Used?
Computer forensic examination is engaged across a wide range of criminal, civil and regulatory matters.
Criminal Investigations
Fraud, theft, cybercrime, harassment, child exploitation matters and other criminal offences involving digital evidence.
Civil Litigation
Intellectual property disputes, contractual disagreements, defamation claims and other civil proceedings requiring digital evidence.
Workplace Investigations
Employee misconduct, data theft, policy violations, inappropriate use of company resources and intellectual property misappropriation.
Regulatory & Compliance
Regulatory investigations, compliance audits and matters involving electronic records and communications.
Incident Response
Data breaches, unauthorised access, security incidents and post-incident forensic analysis to determine what occurred.
Defence Matters
Independent review of prosecution digital evidence, identification of evidential inconsistencies and preparation of defence expert reports.
What Evidence Can Be Examined?
Computer forensic examination can address a wide range of digital evidence sources and data types.
Devices
Desktop computers
Laptops & notebooks
Servers
External hard drives
SSDs & NVMe drives
USB flash drives
Memory cards
Data Types
Documents & spreadsheets
Emails & attachments
Internet & browser history
Chat & messaging logs
Images & photographs
Videos & multimedia
Database records
Forensic Artefacts
Deleted files & data remnants
File system metadata
Registry entries
Event logs & system logs
User activity timelines
USB connection history
Cloud synchronisation data
Operating Systems
Windows (all versions)
macOS / OS X
Linux distributions
Chrome OS
Virtual machines
Encrypted volumes
RAID configurations
Computer Forensic Examination Process
Every examination follows a structured, documented methodology designed to maintain evidential integrity at every stage.
1
Evidence Intake & Assessment
Secure receipt of evidence with documented chain of custody. Initial assessment of the evidence, review of instructions and identification of the scope of examination.
2
Preservation & Forensic Imaging
Creation of a forensic image (bit-for-bit copy) using write-blocking technology. Cryptographic hash values generated to verify the integrity of both the original media and the forensic copy.
3
Forensic Acquisition
Systematic extraction of data from the forensic image, including active files, deleted data, file system metadata, registry artefacts and other relevant information.
4
Examination & Analysis
Detailed examination of the acquired data in accordance with the terms of reference. Keyword searching, timeline analysis, metadata examination, deleted file recovery and artefact analysis as appropriate.
5
Interpretation & Findings
Careful interpretation of the examination results within the context of the matter. Identification of relevant evidence, assessment of its significance and formulation of opinions where instructed.
6
Reporting & Presentation
Preparation of a comprehensive, court-ready expert report documenting the methodology, findings and opinions. Available for oral testimony and cross-examination if required.
What Can Potentially Be Recovered?
Computer forensic examination can potentially recover a range of data that may not be accessible through ordinary means. It is important to note that recovery depends on multiple technical factors, and no responsible forensic practitioner can guarantee the recovery of specific data.
Important Note
Recovery of deleted data is never guaranteed. Success depends on the storage device type, file system, time since deletion, subsequent device usage and whether the data has been overwritten.
Digital Evidence & Chain of Custody
Maintaining an unbroken chain of custody is fundamental to the admissibility and weight of digital evidence in legal proceedings.
Evidence Receipt
Every item of evidence is documented upon receipt with a unique identifier, description, condition notes and photographic record.
Secure Storage
Evidence is stored in a secure, access-controlled environment with environmental monitoring to prevent damage or degradation.
Write Protection
Hardware write-blocking devices are used during all forensic imaging processes to prevent any modification to original evidence.
Hash Verification
Cryptographic hash values (MD5/SHA-256) are generated at acquisition and verified throughout the process to confirm evidence integrity.
Access Records
Every access to evidence is recorded, including the identity of the person, the date and time, and the purpose of access.
Transfer Documentation
All transfers of evidence between parties are formally documented with signed chain-of-custody forms and tracking records.
Expert Reports
Our expert reports are prepared to comply with the relevant expert witness code of conduct and rules of court. Each report contains a clear statement of methodology, findings, opinions and limitations.
Computer Forensics for Legal Matters
Digital evidence is increasingly central to both criminal and civil proceedings. A properly conducted computer forensic examination can be instrumental in establishing facts, verifying claims, identifying inconsistencies and providing independent expert opinion.
Our forensic examinations are conducted with the understanding that the findings may be presented as evidence in court. Every step of the process is documented, every opinion is qualified, and every limitation is transparently disclosed.
We work with criminal defence solicitors, prosecution teams, civil litigation firms, insurance investigators, corporate legal departments and regulatory bodies — providing independent, objective forensic analysis regardless of which party engages our services.
Methodological Limitations
Responsible forensic practice requires transparent acknowledgement of limitations. We believe honesty about what forensic examination can and cannot achieve is essential to professional credibility.
Data Recovery Is Not Guaranteed
Deleted data may or may not be recoverable depending on the device type, file system, time elapsed and extent of subsequent use.
Encryption May Prevent Access
Strong encryption may render data inaccessible without the correct password or key. This is a legitimate limitation of forensic examination.
Physical Damage
Severely physically damaged storage media may not yield usable data, even with specialist data recovery techniques.
Attribution Has Boundaries
While forensic examination can identify what occurred on a device, definitively attributing actions to a specific individual requires careful assessment of all available evidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Computer forensic examinations and our services.
Can deleted files be recovered from a computer?
In many cases, deleted files can potentially be recovered through forensic examination. When a file is deleted, the data may still exist on the storage medium until that space is overwritten by new data. However, recovery depends on multiple factors including the type of storage device (HDD vs SSD), the file system in use, the time elapsed since deletion, whether the drive has been defragmented or trimmed, and the extent of subsequent use. No responsible forensic practitioner can guarantee recovery of specific deleted data.
How long does a computer forensic examination take?
The duration of a computer forensic examination depends on several factors: the volume of data to be examined, the complexity of the issues, the number of devices involved, and the scope of the instructions. A focused examination of a single device with clearly defined questions may take days, while a complex matter involving multiple devices and broad terms of reference may take several weeks. We provide estimated timeframes following an initial assessment of the evidence and instructions.
Can browser history be recovered after it has been cleared?
Forensic examination may be able to recover evidence of internet browsing activity even after a user has cleared their browser history. Multiple artefacts across the operating system, browser databases, cache files, DNS cache, and other locations may retain traces of browsing activity. The extent of recovery depends on the browser, operating system, and other technical factors.
Is the original evidence altered during a forensic examination?
No. A properly conducted forensic examination does not alter the original evidence. Before any examination begins, a forensic image (bit-for-bit copy) is created using write-blocking technology, which prevents any changes to the original media. All examination and analysis is conducted on the forensic copy. Hash values are used to verify that the original evidence remains unaltered throughout the entire process.
Can USB device activity be identified on a computer?
Forensic examination can typically identify USB devices that have been connected to a computer, including details such as the device manufacturer, serial number, volume name, and the dates and times of connection. This information is recorded by the operating system in various locations and can provide valuable evidence in cases involving data theft, unauthorised access, or the transfer of files between devices.
Explore Our Other Services
Comprehensive digital forensic capabilities across all major evidence types.
Mobile Forensics
iPhone, Android, messaging apps & GPS data
Video Forensics
CCTV analysis, authentication & enhancement
Image Forensics
Authentication, manipulation & EXIF analysis
Expert Witness
Expert reports, court testimony & opinions