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Disk Imaging & Investigation

Forensic Imaging • Data Recovery • Evidence Preservation

Professional forensic disk imaging services that create bit-for-bit copies of storage media while preserving evidence integrity for legal proceedings and internal investigations.

Source Disk

Original evidence

Forensic Copy

Bit-for-bit image

Analysis

Investigation & recovery

Imaging Process Data Recovery Services

What is Forensic Disk Imaging?

Forensic disk imaging is the process of creating an exact, sector-by-sector copy of a storage device (hard drive, SSD, USB drive, etc.) while maintaining the integrity of the original evidence. This copy, known as a forensic image, can be analyzed without risk of modifying the original data.

Why Forensic Imaging is Crucial

A disk image contains not only visible files but also deleted data, hidden partitions, unallocated space, file system metadata, and system artifacts. This comprehensive capture is essential for:

  • Legal Proceedings: Court-admissible evidence requires forensic soundness
  • Data Recovery: Recovering deleted or damaged files
  • Incident Investigation: Understanding what happened during a security breach
  • Integrity Preservation: Preventing evidence tampering or spoliation
  • Chain of Custody: Maintaining proper evidence handling procedures

Hash Verification

Integrity Verification

MD5, SHA-1, and SHA-256 hash calculations ensure image authenticity

Write Protection

Write-Blocked Imaging

Hardware write-blockers prevent accidental modification of source media

Our Forensic Imaging Process

We follow a meticulous, court-admissible process for forensic disk imaging that ensures evidence integrity and legal defensibility.

1

Evidence Acquisition & Documentation

Secure collection of storage devices with detailed chain of custody documentation. Photograph evidence, document serial numbers, and create evidence tags.

2

Write-Blocker Connection

Connect source media through hardware write-blockers to prevent any modification. Verify write protection status before proceeding with imaging.

3

Forensic Imaging

Create forensic images using industry-standard tools (FTK Imager, EnCase, dd, Guymager). Capture complete sector-by-sector copies including unallocated space.

4

Hash Verification

Calculate cryptographic hashes (MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256) of both source media and forensic images. Verify hashes match to ensure image integrity.

5

Evidence Storage & Analysis

Store forensic images on secure, encrypted media. Begin analysis using forensic tools to examine file systems, recover data, and extract evidence.

Court-Admissible Standards

All our forensic imaging processes comply with legal standards for evidence admissibility:

  • FBI Forensic Examination Guidelines
  • ISO/IEC 27037:2012 Guidelines for identification, collection, acquisition and preservation of digital evidence
  • NIST SP 800-86 Guide to Integrating Forensic Techniques into Incident Response
  • SWGDE (Scientific Working Group on Digital Evidence) Standards
  • Legal Chain of Custody Requirements

Evidence Types Recovered

Forensic disk imaging allows us to recover and analyze numerous types of digital evidence that may be critical to investigations.

Deleted Files

Recover files deleted through normal operating system functions

File History

File system metadata including creation, modification, and access times

Internet Artifacts

Browser history, cookies, downloads, and cached web content

Email Archives

Local email stores, attachments, and communication metadata

Encrypted Data

Encrypted volumes, files, and password-protected documents

Malware Artifacts

Malicious software, scripts, and exploitation tools

User Activity

Login history, application usage, and system interactions

Registry & Logs

Windows Registry, system logs, and application databases

Advanced Data Recovery

When data is lost due to hardware failure, accidental deletion, or malicious activity, our advanced data recovery services can often recover what seems unrecoverable.

Physical Recovery

Failed Hardware Recovery

Recovery from physically damaged drives, SSDs, and RAID arrays

  • Head crashes & platter damage
  • PCB & controller failures
  • SSD controller corruption
  • Water & fire damage recovery

Logical Recovery

File System & Data Recovery

Recovery from corrupted file systems, formatted drives, and deleted partitions

  • Formatted drive recovery
  • Corrupted partition tables
  • File system corruption
  • RAW drive recovery

Forensic Recovery

Evidence Recovery

Forensically sound recovery for legal proceedings and investigations

  • Anti-forensic technique recovery
  • File carving & signature analysis
  • Encrypted data recovery
  • Metadata preservation

Data Recovery Success Rates

Our specialized techniques and cleanroom facilities deliver exceptional recovery success rates:

95%
Logical Failures
85%
Physical Damage
90%
SSD/NVMe Recovery
80%
Water/Fire Damage

Forensic Tools & Equipment

We utilize industry-leading forensic tools and specialized equipment to ensure accurate and comprehensive disk imaging and investigation.

Forensic Workstations

High-performance systems with multiple forensic bays, hardware write-blockers, and specialized interfaces for all storage media types.

Write-Blockers

Tableau, WiebeTech, and Logicube hardware write-blockers for SATA, SAS, USB, PCIe, and NVMe interfaces.

Imaging Tools

FTK Imager, EnCase Forensic, Guymager, dc3dd, and specialized tools for mobile device and cloud storage imaging.

Clean Room Facilities

Class 100 cleanroom for physical recovery of damaged drives, including head swaps and platter transplants.

PC-3000 Systems

Advanced hardware/software tools for diagnosing and repairing HDD/SSD firmware issues and controller problems.

DeepSpar Disk Imager

Specialized imaging hardware for recovering data from drives with bad sectors or physical damage.

Disk Imaging Case Studies

Corporate Intellectual Property Theft

Client: Technology company suspected former employee stole proprietary source code

Challenge: Employee had wiped his laptop before returning it to IT

Our Solution: Created forensic image of the laptop's SSD and conducted advanced file carving. Recovered deleted source code repositories and email communications with competitors.

Outcome: Recovered 98% of deleted source code, provided detailed forensic timeline, delivered expert testimony resulting in successful litigation.

Financial Fraud Investigation

Client: Banking institution investigating internal financial fraud

Challenge: Suspect used encrypted volumes and anti-forensic techniques to hide evidence

Our Solution: Forensic imaging of multiple workstations and servers. Memory forensics to capture encryption keys, followed by decryption and analysis of hidden financial documents.

Outcome: Uncovered $2.3M in fraudulent transactions, identified collusion between multiple employees, provided evidence for criminal prosecution.

Disk Imaging Service Packages

Choose the right level of service for your investigation needs

Standard Imaging

$1,500+
  • Single device forensic imaging
  • Hash verification & documentation
  • Basic data recovery
  • Initial analysis report
  • 5 business day turnaround

Advanced Investigation

$3,500+
  • Multiple device imaging
  • Advanced data recovery
  • File carving & metadata analysis
  • Comprehensive forensic report
  • 48-hour emergency response

Enterprise Package

Custom Quote
  • Unlimited device imaging
  • 24/7 emergency response
  • Expert witness testimony
  • Regulatory compliance support
  • Monthly retainer available
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