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Leatherneck Investigations Computer Forensic Investigators analyze massive amounts of information through cutting-edge digital forensics tools to uncover evidence. Regardless of whether the source is a laptop, desktops, mobile device, or cloud storage the evidence must be obtained and stored using forensically sound methods. Our investigators provide mobile device forensics Houston, Austin, Dallas, San Antonio and surrounding areas can depend on.

Fact finding in digital data takes expertise, experience and advanced technology. Information is most often in the form of electronically stored information or ESI. Estimates are that over 80% to 93% of all business information exists in electronic form as emails, documents, web content and other data base specific formats. It has also been estimated that well over 70% of content has never existed in any other form other than digital. What was once a paper trail is now a purely digital trail of bits and bytes hidden in emails, deleted documents, smart phones and cloud storage.

Critical data which provides evidence of past or current suspicious activity is now in the form of text messages, emails, and other forms of digital communication which can include social media posts. Leatherneck Investigators use innovative computer forensics technology to effectively extract and analyze this information. The following activities are often included in the project scope of work:

• Recovery of Deleted Information
• Discovery of Hidden Information,
• Review of Large Amounts of Email Data
• Review of metadata which includes download histories, unauthorized access or attempted manipulation of data

LICENSED DIGITAL FORENSICS EXPERTS:  IT MATTERS

Having non-licensed IT personnel attempt to collect data is always a bad idea. The proper acquisition and imaging of digital data is a specialized skill requiring extensive training and knowledge in computer forensics tools and technology. Attempted extraction of this information by an unlicensed individual places the data at risk for contamination and thus being excluded as evidence in a civil or criminal case. Leatherneck Investigations forensics investigators are fully licensed and have provided expert testimony and reports in multiple courts. Leatherneck Investigations computer forensics investigators have served as expert witnesses in many state and federal court cases. Whether the case is civil or criminal, Leatherneck Experts have provided key evidence in family law, fraud, embezzlement, intellectual property theft and complex corporate litigation.

COMPUTER FORENSICS

Computer forensics is the process of gathering information from typical devices such as desktops, laptop computers, external hard drives, or flash drives. The computer forensics technician creates a forensically sound copy of the drive so that the data can be examined without altering or affecting the original source of the data. The use of proper imaging devices (discussed in more detail in the acquisition and imaging section) is a critical step in creating a defensible and usable forensic copy for analysis and examination.

It is important to validate the qualifications of the forensic technician who will be performing the investigation. Critical questions to ask:

1. Are they a licensed private investigator in the state in which they practice? Ask to see a “pocket card” or other official identification.
   
   
2. Are they certified as a forensic examiner? This would include certification as an Encase Certified technician and other industry standard software platforms such as FTK and others.
   
   
3. Can they provide references for others that they have provided similar services for?Can you call them and ask if the investigation was done in a timely manner and if a final report was provided. Since you may be using the work of your computer forensics examiner in court, it is important that you are dealing with a true expert witness. Remember, if you are not convinced that they are an expert, the jury or judge may reach a similar conclusion.

Leatherneck Investigations computer forensic investigators utilize the best in computer forensic technology depending on the type of drive that is being imaged. The acquisition of data form a hard drive or external devices can take different forms depending of the type of digital media, the age, and condition of the devices. Your Leatherneck computer forensic investigator can discuss the right methods with you.

MOBILE DEVICE FORENSICS

Mobile Device Forensics is a branch of computer forensics that focuses on mobile devices, typically smart phones, tablets, iPads, and cellular devices. The growth of smart mobile devices has made mobile device forensics critical to any digital forensic practice. The ability to quickly and effectively image, process, analyze and report on mobile devices is a core skill of Leatherneck mobile forensics techs. Leatherneck Investigations has invested in the latest tools to properly extract data and deleted data from iPhones, iPads, android smart phones, windows mobile,  Blackberries, and the scores of other types of mobile devices make mobile devices forensics.

Our investigative experience tells us the deleted does not always mean gone and that often times the information that the user thought was deleted forever, is in fact recoverable and reviewable by mobile forensic examiners. It is also a typical request for Leatherneck mobile forensic investigators to recover details of call history, internet history, and text history. Timing of the activities is often critical since the use of mobile devices during driving or the location of mobile devices is often a question in litigation.

Leatherneck mobile forensic investigators use the cutting edge software and hardware tools form the leading manufactures, such as: Encase, FTK,SANS, Digital Forensics Framework and scores of others leading technologies. If you would like to understand the process and tools in more detail call and speak to a computer forensic investigator.

Modern Tools for the Modern Investigation

Leatherneck mobile forensic investigators utilize the best in mobile forensic technology for different types and styles of mobile devices. The acquisition of data form mobile devices can take different forms depending of the type of mobile devices, the age and condition of the devices. Your Leatherneck mobile forensic investigator can discuss the right methods with you.

Leatherneck mobile forensic investigators use the cutting edge software and hardware tools form the leading manufactures, such as: Cellebrite, Paraben, Oxygen, and Radio Tactics If you would like to understand the process and tools in more detail call and speak to a mobile forensic investigator.

NETWORK AND CLOUD FORENSICS

Network forensics is a branch of computer forensics that relates to the proper gathering of data related to computer network traffic. Typical uses of network forensics deal with unauthorized access to networks and the process of gathering information about these breaches for legal evidence. Network forensics also can examine the traffic and communications across a network to determine what has occurred and what evidence can be gathered about the communications and traffic.

Methods used to collect network data for forensics are viewed under two manners:

• "Catch-it-as-you-can" - In this methods packets of data passing through select traffic point are obtained and written to storage.
  
  
• "Stop, look and listen" - In this method each packet of data is reviewed in a simple way in memory and only select information is gathered for future review.

CLOUD, BROWSER, EMAIL AND INTERNET FORENSICS

The need for digital forensics continues to grow at a rapid rate. With electronically stored information (ESI) expanding exponentially with information gathering on social media sites such as Twitter, Facebook and other cloud based applications, the need for Cloud, Network, Browser and Internet forensics will continue to grow. The combination of different types of media devices, remote sources of stored data, and mobile devices brings to the light the need for experienced digital forensic investigators.

LITIGATION SUPPORT

Law firms need a licensed, experienced, investigator that can take a case from initial fact finding all the way through appearing as an expert witness. At Leatherneck Investigations we understand that the trail can go from digital information like emails or text messages to background research and traditional surveillance. Many traditional private investigative firms do not understand computer forensics, mobile forensics or network forensics; they understand only traditional private investigative work such as surveillance and background work.

On the other hand, traditional computer forensics firms often do not understand traditional private investigative skills. At Leatherneck Investigations we understand the traditional “camps” between digital and analog services are artificial and are simply based on a lack of experience or the skills to adapt to a changing world.

Email and Document Filtering and Searching

Often times, attorneys simple do not have the time to review emails and documents for key words or phrases. Leatherneck computer forensic examiner can help you with this process and produce documents in an easy to review fashion. Whatever format our attorney client wants to review, printed PDF’s, digital PDF’s or other formats for easy review.

Expert Witness Statements and Court Testimony

As a licensed private investigator and an experienced computer forensic provider Leatherneck Investigators have provided extensive expert reports, statements, and testimony in Texas Courts, at the local, state and federal level. Please contact your Leatherneck Investigator for an qualification document and extensive reference list.

Expert Research and Reporting

What are the relevant backgrounds of the parties involved in your case, from your client to your opponent. Do you have all the relevant facts? Do you know if either of the parties have been involved in other similar civil history or do they have a criminal record? It is possible that they have or had companies with extensive civil trail histories? Leatherneck Investigators specialize in understand complex business issues such as partnership disputes, non-compete enforcement cases, intellectual property theft cases, privacy exposure/data breach incidents, family law cases such as divorce or child custody disputes, and other complex civil and criminal matters.

Once the basic information is developed, Leatherneck Investigators can develop the file so that supporting evidence can validate the background information.

E Discovery Systems and “Simple” Review Platforms

Regardless of you require your acquired data formatted to a specialized e-discovery platform or you require a simple localized indexed drive with a standard search tool, Leatherneck computer forensic examiners can prepare the data for review. Often times our clients find the complex e-discovery platforms are not needed since only one or at most a few lawyers will be reviewing the data. In this case, a Leatherneck external drive, created form the original obtained image, can provide a simple, easy to use low cost “e discovery light” tool.