Cell Phone / Mobile Device Forensics

Cell phone/mobile device forensics is concerned with the recovery of digital evidence from some form of mobile device, such as a cell phone or tablet.  Areas of data that can be examined from one of these devices include call logs, historic cell site location data, SMS/MMS (texting) data, email data, GPS tracking data, voice mails, Wi-Fi access data, photographic images and video, and internet browsing history.

At Third Chair Digital Forensics LLC we specialize in the extraction of all types of data from cell phones and mobile devices.  Often cell phones contain a separate memory card that contains even more data than the device’s native memory.  We ensure that all facets of the device is examined for relevant data.

We have been cautioning our attorney clients that historic cell site location data being presented in court by law enforcement can be seriously flawed.  We have been seeing many instances where only superficial data is being presented in court by an unqualified witness, leaving a false impression with judges and juries.  Proper analysis and presentation of historic cell site location data should encompass analysis of much more data than the simple location of the tower and the number of sectors it employs.  Radio wave saturation, local conditions and the actual GPS location of the tower (rather than merely its street address) must all be factored into a proper analysis by a qualified engineer.

At Third Chair, we have the capability not only to conduct a proper analysis of the data; but also to assist you in defeating your opposing party’s analysis and render their data inadmissible.

When an agency or individual employs Third Chair Digital Forensics LLC, they are getting much more than a company that can analyze digital assets.

We have often found, especially in our criminal cases, that important digital assets have been overlooked by the investigating law enforcement agency.  Because our forensic analysts are also licensed private investigators, we have the capability to retrieve additional digital assets that can make the difference in any type of case.

We also have the expertise to assist attorneys with legal issues that arise during the acquisition, analysis and presentation of digital forensic evidence.  We have sample motions available to assist attorneys with discovery, access to evidence and funding of expert services.  We can suggest how to handle predicates involved in evidence admissibility, and know the statutory and case law that governs the admissibility of digital evidence.





Video Forensics

In our modern society, we can travel to few places without being captured on video, whether it be a surveillance camera, a traffic camera or an in-car camera.  As one can imagine, this type of data can be extremely important in many types of investigations.

Digital video can often be “enhanced” to produce a more visible relevant image.  This can be done by adjusting the darkness of the video or by adjusting the aspect ratio to display the entire video on the monitor.

A trained forensic video examiner is often called on to determine the identity of items in a video; such as a vehicle.  In order to render an opinion as to whether the questioned vehicle in a video is a particular vehicle, for example, the video examiner will look at class versus individual characteristics.  Third Chair Digital Forensics LLC has rendered opinions on vehicle identity on occasions by looking at unique marking or damage on a questioned vehicle compared to a known vehicle.  For example, if the questioned vehicle and the known vehicle both have a taillight broken in the same spot, it is more likely that they are one in the same.

At Third Chair Digital Forensics LLC we have done numerous photogrammetric examinations.  These have included time-distance evaluations from video to determine the relative speed of a vehicle in cases involving traffic collisions.  We have conducted location-size investigations to determine the height of a suspect in civil and criminal cases.

Even the most detailed investigation is useless if the results are not admissible in court because the video analyst does not have sufficient credentials to survive an admissibility challenge by the opponent of the evidence.

At Third Chair Digital Forensics LLC we employ the only video analyst in the private sector in the state of Texas who is certified by LEVA (Law Enforcement and Emergency Services Video Association).  Ernie Van der Leest is trained to the level of only 56 people in the entire world.  Ernie’s testimony has been accepted by courts all over the Southwest United States.  He has successfully presented his digital video findings before juries on numerous occasions.  We back up Ernie’s experience and training with the latest video forensic gear and software to ensure that he has everything he needs to conduct a thorough investigation of your digital video asset.

When an agency or individual employs Third Chair Digital Forensics LLC, they are getting much more than a company that can analyze digital assets.

We have often found, especially in our criminal cases, that important video assets have been overlooked by the investigating law enforcement agency.  Because our forensic analysts are also licensed private investigators, we have the capability to retrieve additional video assets that can make the difference in any type of case.

We also have the expertise to assist attorneys with legal issues that arise during the acquisition, analysis and presentation of digital forensic evidence.  We have sample motions available to assist attorneys with discovery, access to evidence and funding of expert services.  We can suggest how to handle predicates involved in evidence admissibility, and know the statutory and case law that governs the admissibility of digital evidence.






Audio Forensics

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisci elit, sed eiusmod tempor incidunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur. Quis aute iure reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint obcaecat cupiditat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.




Automobiles

Late-model automobiles and trucks are the ultimate mobile device.  The latest model vehicles contain as many separate computers as a lot of business offices.  These computers include an event data recorder (similar to an aeronautical “black box”) storing vehicle GPS location and operation data; as well as a Telematics/infotainment system monitoring the activity of any cellular device blue-toothed to it; including call, text and browsing data.

At Third Chair Digital Forensics LLC we have the capability to extract and leverage this data to assist with any court case or investigation.

We also specialize in the location of tracking devices that have been surreptitiously attached to a vehicle to monitor its location.  These devices come in a variety of formats.  Litigants are often not as vigilant as they should be with regard to their digital footprint.  Third Chair will handle each of these investigations thoroughly and confidentially.   





Photo and Video Authenticity

Have you ever wondered if a photograph or video sponsored by a courtroom opponent has been changed or altered?  Two serious forensic issues arise in this context:

Is the photograph/video relevant?  That is, was it created at the time and under the circumstances the sponsor claims?  Or, was it taken at a different place or time and the sponsoring witness is mistaken or being untruthful.

Is the photograph/video authentic?  Is it the original image or has it been altered at some point intentionally or unintentionally?

By using cutting edge technology to look at the EXIF data and metadata behind photographs, or going down to the pixel level with forensic video, Third Chair Digital Forensics LLC can render an opinion as to whether a particular digital exhibit has been intentionally or unintentionally altered.  The next time you encounter a piece of evidence that you suspect your opponent has a motive to alter, call us for a complete examination of the digital asset in question.  We will assist you with recovering the asset or a copy from your opponent and then subject it to rigorous examination.

Can your opponent’s valuable piece of evidence stand up to a detailed examination of its audit trail?  Is there an audit trail?





Computer Forensics

A computer forensic investigation can be undertaken to discover the contents of a computer system, a storage medium or the authenticity of a particular file.

Computer forensics deal with many forms of digital information; including drive contents, internet history, email history and peripheral device information.

Computer forensic investigations can extend to the network level where the focus is on the analysis of information that is traveling through a local or internet network.  This type of investigation is often undertake to for purposes of intrusion detection.  

At Third Chair Digital Forensics LLC we can subject digital assets to a rigid test of authenticity.  Using the data behind the asset, we can determine when it was created and whether it has been altered.

There have been numerous cases in the media recently dealing with leaks of digital information.  If you have been the victim of this type of conduct, contact Third Chair Digital Forensics LLC and let us examine the data behind the digital information to determine its origin and digital path.

Another common investigation that Third Chair is called upon to perform is whether a particular device downloaded or accessed a particular (often prohibited) file or piece of data.  This form of investigation is especially valuable in the corporate and governmental sectors to determine if an employee has gained unauthorized access to certain data or has been spending company time on personal or prohibited pursuits.

When an agency or individual employs Third Chair Digital Forensics LLC, they are getting much more than a company that can analyze digital assets.

We have often found, especially in our criminal cases, that important digital assets have been overlooked by the investigating law enforcement agency.  Because our forensic analysts are also licensed private investigators, we have the capability to retrieve additional digital assets that can make the difference in any type of case.

We also have the expertise to assist attorneys with legal issues that arise during the acquisition, analysis and presentation of digital forensic evidence.  We have sample motions available to assist attorneys with discovery, access to evidence and funding of expert services.  We can suggest how to handle predicates involved in evidence admissibility, and know the statutory and case law that governs the admissibility of digital evidence.





Cell Tower Mapping

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisci elit, sed eiusmod tempor incidunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur. Quis aute iure reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint obcaecat cupiditat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.