Flashback Data: Digital Forensics in Our Accredited Crime Laboratory

Flashback Data has unparalleled expertise in digital forensic services and incident investigation for law firms, corporations, & law enforcement.

We provide sensitive incident investigation and forensic data recovery services to clients worldwide.

Flashback Data is Recognized for Digital Forensics Expertise:

PC World
Toms
Digital Trends
Gizmodo
Sciam
ANAB

Flashback Data’s Digital Forensics Accreditations

Since 2004, Flashback Data has provided sensitive incident investigation and forensic data recovery services to clients worldwide, including corporations, law firms, and foreign governments.

Our laboratory is ISO/IEC 17025:2017 compliant and accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB).

Certificate: FT-0257
Field of Accreditation: Forensic Testing
Discipline: Digital Evidence

We partner with corporations, law firms, law enforcement, and foreign governments to deliver cutting-edge forensic services, including computer forensics, mobile forensics, JTAG, and chip-off forensics. Our personnel have backgrounds in law, criminal investigation, intelligence, fraud examination, and information systems and security. Each digital forensics analyst we employ is well-trained and highly credentialed.

We Closely Follow the Principles of Digital Forensics

The basis of digital forensics is being able to repeat processes and obtain quality evidence. If the results are inaccurate, trusting the laboratory and company isn’t easy. Digital forensic test results need to be repeatable and reproducible to pass as electronic evidence, according to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Digital forensics is an applied science field in which upholding standards is key. Flashback Data takes these standards seriously.

Certified Computer Examiner (CCE) | Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE thru ACFE) | Seized Computer Evidence Recovery Specialist (SCERS thru FLETC) |  Certified Forensic Computer Examiner (CFCE thru IACIS) | EnCase Certified Examiner (EnCE thru Guidance Software) | Certified Novell Administrator (CNA thru Novell) | Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP thru Microsoft)

We take it to the next level, where most digital forensics labs stop. Flashback Data can get data from devices that most labs just set aside. We use several advanced techniques in our data recovery lab to assist our forensic investigators with their investigations when our standard forensic tools either do not support a device or cannot get past a passcode-locked device. To do this, we have developed techniques to work with the Joint Test Action Group (JTAG) pins on a particular device.

Without access to the memory through JTAG, a Flashback Data digital forensic investigator employs chip-off recovery techniques. Chip-off recovery is a more invasive but successful method of recovering digital evidence through the device’s flash memory. These methods often prove particularly helpful to law enforcement in criminal justice cases.

The highly credentialed and experienced Flashback Data team performs cutting-edge digital forensics in our accredited crime lab.

Computer Forensics

We collect activity on computers and equipment and take it to our Class 10 laboratory to examine the evidence. Our analysts then retrieve and analyze data. The original data must be stored on another media form to prevent cross-contamination. After examining the device, we choose the correct extraction method to view the computer’s contents and find evidence to help with the investigation.

Our laboratory is ISO/IEC 17025:2017 compliant and accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) under the same program as the FBI and state law enforcement. We’re the only non-government-owned computer forensics lab worldwide that can say that. Flashback Data is also a Texas-licensed private investigation firm (License #: A13474).

Certifications

Our personnel have backgrounds in law, criminal investigation, intelligence, fraud examination, and information systems and security. Our forensic examiners are well-trained and highly credentialed.

The GIAC Certified Forensic Examiner (GCFE) certification validates a practitioner’s knowledge of computer forensic analysis, with an emphasis on core skills required to collect and analyze data from Windows computer systems.

The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) is the world’s largest anti-fraud organization. By delivering best-in-class training, offering the CFE credential, and fostering a dynamic, global community of anti-fraud professionals, the ACFE is reducing fraud and corruption worldwide.

The Cellebrite Certified Physical Analyst (CCPA) course is an advanced-level program designed for technically savvy investigators, digital evidence analysts, and forensic practitioners.

Certification in the fundamental concepts of computer forensics. The CFCE is derived from the CFCE Competencies document.

EnCE certification acknowledges that professionals have mastered computer investigation methodology as well as the use of EnCase software during complex computer examinations.

The AccessData Certified Examiner (ACE) credential demonstrates the user’s proficiency with AccessData’s Forensic Toolkit (FTK).

Additional certificates:

Certified Computer Examiner (CCE), Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE thru ACFE), Seized Computer Evidence Recovery Specialist (SCERS thru FLETC)

  • Data Reconstruction

    We perform forensic data reconstruction for all types of media. Often necessary data is stored in multiple locations and in numerous different formats. Whether the data you need is scattered or incomplete, our experts can perform data reconstruction. This allows you to have all the data
    you need in one location. Once we have identified data sources, we will extract and combine data, standardize the data into one format, validate the data, and perform any required analytics. At this point, we can provide further guidance or expert witness testimony.

  • Forensic Media Examination and Analysis

    We extract and examine data and digital evidence from any media type during our thorough examination process. Our Class 10 clean room enables us to do this without contaminating evidence. We carefully analyze data and provide a detailed report of findings supporting your case. Our methods and software are validated to safeguard the data evidence found on computers and mobile devices. We provide our clients with official laboratory reports which outline our findings in a user-friendly format.

  • Expert Testimony

    Flashback Data offers a wide array of expert services pre- and post-case. Our digital forensic expert witness and testimony services include consulting, assistance in drafting motions, depositions, expert witness testimony, and affidavits. Our Experts have backgrounds in technology, intelligence, and law enforcement. We have testified in State and Federal courts countless times and have the experience you need on your side.

  • Evidence Collection & Preservation

    A defensible case starts with reliable evidence. This is why preservation is one of the most important aspects of digital forensics. If an electronic device is tampered with after a significant event, it is like walking through a crime scene and leaving your fingerprints everywhere. Our
    preservation and collection techniques are completely write-protected and verifiable with complex hash algorithms. Each collection is also tracked with strict chain-of-custody protocols to ensure all evidence accountability. This allows for safety while we work to retrieve data from and complete the digital investigation.

  • Forensic Testing & Validation

    With our advanced knowledge of file systems and data structures, we can test your data security or sanitation policies and provide you with written affidavits or certificates as needed. We provide 3rd party validation for OEMs looking to test their drive sanitation policies within their service centers. We also validate hardware sanitation devices for many hardware manufacturers. Validation is important for laboratories to be trusted to produce accurate results every time. We can check your data security or sanitation policies at Flashback Data to ensure they are reliable and precise.

  • Detailed Reporting

    We know you need your forensics reports to be thorough, detailed, and clear. We have decades of experience providing detailed reporting for all digital forensics services we offer. Digital evidence reports can make or break a case; we don’t take that lightly. You can trust that our team will organize all data and deliver a detailed report. Our reports are both useful and logical.

We perform a wide range of forensic services as well as forensic data recovery on all types of media.

Mobile Forensics

iPhones

New iPhones are released each year, and millions of people use them. This means our experts continue to update our iOS forensics research, as well. We can use our mobile forensics services to go through malware and spyware and recover data from broken iPhones.

Androids

Android manufacturers have created many different devices, and the internal makeup varies, making it difficult for analysts to recover data in Android forensics. Androids have eMMC, eMCP, or UFS chips and removable SD cards for extra phone storage, making retrieving data difficult. Android devices can present a challenge, but Flashback Data will work carefully and effectively to recover data.

iPads and Kindles

Tablets have become very convenient in businesses and at home. iPads and Kindles also have different internal makeups depending on the device, so analysts must evolve their research and techniques to retrieve data from tablets.

Cell Phone Unlocking & Password Cracking Services

Flashback Data can unlock or crack nearly all Android phones and most Apple devices. If you are a lawyer, law enforcement officer, or authorized company representative seeking access to a cellular phone or mobile device in connection with a legal case or investigation, contact Flashback Data today.

Flashback Data serves government agencies, law enforcement agencies, corporations, law firms, and the public sector.

We have worked on every type of case, from auto accidents to call detail records. We are highly trained and experienced in dealing with sensitive information. Flashback Data even offers special rates for all government agencies (local, state, and federal), schools, and hospitals for our Tier 1 Professional Services expertise in data recovery and computer forensics. We regularly perform risk assessments, media conversion, network forensics, network security, sensitive incident response, and data reconstruction for corporations. Since 2004, we have successfully served those organizations requiring strict controls and qualifications to handle mission-critical and sensitive data.

  • Evidence Preservation

    Even if no forensic analysis is necessary at submission, we can forensically acquire digital devices to preserve the data for later use.

  • Expert Services

    Our experts assist clients with the development of forensic protocols and orders, as well as regularly provide expert witness testimony in court.

  • Mobile Device Seizure and Investigation

    Our experts are trained in advanced extraction methods such as JTAG, ISP, Chip off, and EDL Mode extractions. Common services include producing all data for review, keyword searches, and recovery of deleted items.

  • Data Reconstruction

    We have a full-service data recovery lab in-house. We have advanced data recovery capabilities that no other digital forensics lab can match.

  • Forensic Media Examination and Analysis

    Our methods and software are validated to safeguard the data evidence found on computers and mobile devices. We provide our clients with official laboratory reports which outline our findings in a user-friendly format.

IP Theft  |  Embezzlement  |  Homicides  |  Family Law

Fraud | Personal Injury

My police department needed evidence in a murder investigation, which consisted of a hard drive and smart phone in need of imaging and examination. I reached out to the Regional Computer Forensic Laboratory (RCFL) in our area, but received a turnaround time of four to six months. Unfortunately, we didn’t even have one month to wait on processing the evidence. I contacted Flashback Data in Austin, Texas and learned they have the same ASCLD/Lab International accreditation as the FBI and DEA. The great communication and professionalism from the Flashback Data’s staff was consistent throughout the entire process. Since my original request, I have continued to use them to process electronic evidence and they have turned the evidence around less than a week. Flashback Data is a great alternative to the RCFL’s. Their qualified experts, quality driven process, and ease of use make it is easy to not only recommend the laboratory, but continue using them.

Corey FallsDeputy Chief for the City of Ashland

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