Introduction
Digital forensic investigations are most effective when the forensic expert receives clear, accurate, and comprehensive information at the outset of the case.
Whether the matter involves civil litigation, criminal proceedings, employment disputes, family court matters, data breaches, or internal corporate investigations, the quality of information provided to the forensic expert can significantly impact the efficiency, scope, and success of the examination.
A forensic expert’s role is not simply to recover data from computers, mobile phones, cloud services, or digital storage devices. Their task is to answer specific questions using scientifically sound methodologies while preserving evidence integrity and maintaining a documented chain of custody.
To achieve this, they require detailed information about the case, the devices involved, and the objectives of the investigation.
This article explores the information that should be provided to a forensic expert before and during a digital forensic examination.
Why Providing Complete Information Matters
Digital forensic investigations are often complex and time-sensitive. Providing incomplete or inaccurate information can lead to:
- Delays in the investigation
- Increased examination costs
- Missed evidence opportunities
- Incorrect assumptions about device usage
- Unnecessary analysis of irrelevant data
- Difficulty interpreting forensic findings
By supplying comprehensive background information, clients help forensic experts focus their efforts on the most relevant evidence sources and investigative questions.
Case Background Information
One of the first things a forensic expert requires is an overview of the matter being investigated.
Relevant background information may include:
- Nature of the dispute or allegation
- Dates of significant events
- Parties involved
- Relevant locations
- Known digital devices used
- Previous investigations conducted
- Court deadlines or reporting requirements
For example, in an employment dispute involving alleged data theft, the forensic expert should understand:
- When the employee resigned
- Whether company devices were returned
- The date suspicious activity was discovered
- Any known file transfers
- Whether cloud storage services were used
This context allows the expert to focus on the relevant time periods and digital artefacts.
Clear Investigation Objectives
Forensic experts should be provided with specific questions they are expected to answer.
Examples include:
Data Theft
- Were company files copied?
- Were USB devices connected?
- Was cloud storage used?
- Were files deleted before departure?
Family Court Matters
- Has communication occurred between specific individuals?
- Were messages deleted?
- Can location information be established?
- Was a device reset?
Criminal Investigations
- Who used the device?
- What applications were installed?
- What communications occurred?
- Can deleted evidence be recovered?
Clearly defined objectives prevent unnecessary examination and ensure the investigation remains proportionate.
Device Information
Accurate details regarding devices are essential.
Information should include:
Computers
- Manufacturer and model
- Operating system version
- User accounts
- Password availability
- Device serial numbers
Mobile Phones
- Manufacturer
- Model
- Operating system version
- Passcodes or unlock credentials
- SIM card information
Storage Media
- USB drives
- External hard drives
- SD cards
- Network storage devices
- Cloud Accounts
- Email accounts
- Cloud storage platforms
- Messaging services
- Social media accounts
Knowing exactly which devices are relevant can significantly reduce investigation time.
Access Credentials
Where legally permissible, investigators should be provided with:
- Device passcodes
- User account passwords
- Email credentials
- Cloud service login details
- Encryption recovery keys
Modern devices frequently employ strong encryption. Without access credentials, certain evidence may be inaccessible or require significantly more resources to obtain.
For example, encrypted smartphones often yield substantially more evidence when examined in an unlocked state than when examined after a reset or lockout.
Timeline of Events
A detailed chronology is one of the most valuable pieces of information a forensic expert can receive.
The expert can then correlate forensic artefacts against known events to establish what occurred before, during, and after critical incidents.
Relevant Individuals
The expert should understand who is involved in the matter.
This may include:
- Device owners
- Users of the device
- Employees
- Family members
- Witnesses
- Suspects
- Third parties
Understanding who may have had access to a device is essential when assessing user attribution.
For example, evidence found on a family computer may not necessarily indicate which individual created or accessed the material.
Copies of Relevant Documents
Supporting documentation can help direct the forensic examination.
Examples include:
- Court orders
- Search warrants
- Employment contracts
- Internal investigation reports
- Witness statements
- Disclosure schedules
- Previous expert reports
These documents often identify specific allegations or evidential issues requiring forensic analysis.
Known Applications and Services
If particular applications are relevant, this information should be provided.
Examples include:
- Telegram
- Signal
- Facebook Messenger
- Snapchat
- Microsoft Teams
- Slack
- Dropbox
- Google Drive
- OneDrive
Knowing which services are relevant allows the examiner to prioritise the extraction and analysis of associated artefacts.
Information Regarding Device Handling
The forensic expert should be informed about what has happened to the device since the incident occurred.
Important questions include:
- Has the device been switched on?
- Has anyone accessed it?
- Were files deleted?
- Was a factory reset performed?
- Were software updates installed?
- Was data copied elsewhere?
Actions taken after an incident may alter or overwrite evidence and should be documented.
Chain of Custody Information
Evidence integrity is fundamental in digital forensics.
The forensic expert should receive:
- Date evidence was obtained
- Person who collected it
- Storage location
- Individuals who accessed it
- Transfer records
A properly documented chain of custody demonstrates that evidence has been handled securely and has not been altered.
Legal and Privacy Considerations
Experts must understand any legal restrictions affecting the investigation.
Examples include:
- Data protection requirements
- Privacy concerns
- Court-imposed limitations
- Consent agreements
- Corporate policies
- Cross-border data issues
These considerations may determine what evidence can be examined and reported.
Information About Previous Examinations
If another expert or investigator has already examined the evidence, details should be disclosed.
Relevant information includes:
- Imaging reports
- Extraction reports
- Recovery attempts
- Password-cracking efforts
- Previous findings
This prevents duplication of effort and allows the expert to evaluate earlier conclusions.
Preservation of Original Evidence
Clients should avoid altering devices before submission.
Best practices include:
- Do not install software.
- Do not delete files.
- Do not reset devices.
- Do not perform updates.
- Keep devices powered off where appropriate.
- Store evidence securely.
Preserving the original state of the evidence maximises the chances of successful forensic recovery and analysis.
Common Mistakes When Instructing a Forensic Expert
Frequent errors include:
- Providing incomplete timelines
- Failing to disclose known passwords
- Withholding relevant background information
- Delaying submission of devices
- Resetting or updating devices
- Providing unclear investigation objectives
- Failing to identify all relevant accounts
Avoiding these mistakes can significantly improve investigation outcomes.
Conclusion
The effectiveness of a digital forensic investigation often depends upon the quality of information provided to the forensic expert at the beginning of the engagement.
Detailed case background information, clear investigative objectives, device details, timelines, access credentials, supporting documents, and chain-of-custody records enable the expert to conduct a focused, efficient, and defensible examination.
Whether the matter involves family law proceedings, employment disputes, criminal investigations, or corporate incidents, providing comprehensive information allows forensic experts to identify relevant evidence more effectively and produce reliable findings that can withstand scrutiny in court or other legal proceedings.
About Athena Forensics
For information on our computer forensic expert services or if you require any advice or assistance please contact a member of our team on 0330 123 4448 or via email on enquiries@athenaforensics.co.uk, further details are available on our contact us page.
Our client’s confidentiality is of the utmost importance. All correspondence is treated with discretion, from initial contact to conclusion of the matter.
We are fully aware of the significance and importance of the information that they encounter and we have been accredited to ISO 9001 for 14 years.
Our premises along with our security procedures have been inspected and approved by law enforcement agencies and we do not disclose personal information to other companies or suppliers.
Our team are all security cleared and we offer non-disclosure agreements if required.
Our premises along with our security procedures have been inspected and approved by law enforcement agencies.
Athena Forensics do not disclose personal information to other companies or suppliers.
