Mobile phone forensics: fast, defensible, court-ready
Mobile phone forensics for legal, corporate and law-enforcement matters—lawful acquisition, rigorous analysis and clear, court-ready reporting.
Mobile phone forensics is the lawful preservation, extraction and analysis of smartphone data to answer specific investigative questions. Using industry-standard tools, strict chain of custody and UK-aligned procedures, analysts produce court-ready reports covering messages, call logs, photos, locations and, where possible, recovered deletions.
What is mobile phone forensics?
Mobile phone forensics is extraction and analysis of data from iOS and Android devices—handsets, tablets and SIM/SD cards—to answer clearly defined investigative questions. Done correctly, it produces reliable, court-ready evidence such as verified timelines, communications mapping, location history and—where technically possible—recovered deleted data.
Why choose our mobile phone forensics service
- Compliant with UK Crown Courts: Processes aligned to the UK digital evidence principles (NPCC, ex-ACPO) and the Forensic Science Regulator’s Codes of Practice.
- Forensically sound handling: Chain of custody from collection to reporting; cryptographic hash values to prove integrity.
- Clear and plain reporting: Jargon-light findings with exhibits and limitations stated plainly; expert witness support when required.
- Lawful and proportionate: Work proceeds only with a valid legal basis (consent, court order or other authority) and a scope that minimises unnecessary data.
What we can examine (examples):
- Calls, SMS, iMessage, WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram and other chat apps
- Photos, videos, voice notes and EXIF/location data
- Contacts, calendars, notes, files (local and cloud artefacts)
- Browser history, downloads and search terms
- App usage, install/uninstall history, notifications
- Location artefacts (GPS, cell, Wi-Fi) and movement timelines
- Deleted data remnants (where recoverable on the device or in backups)
Important: Not all deleted data is recoverable. Success depends on device model, OS version, encryption and how the phone has been used since deletion.
Our mobile phone forensic investigation process
- Instruction & scoping – agree the questions, lawful basis and proportionality.
- Preservation – isolate the device, document condition, seal/label; maintain chain of custody.
- Acquisition – logical, file-system or (where lawful/feasible) physical extraction using industry-standard tools.
- Analysis – correlate artefacts, rebuild timelines, verify with cross-checks.
- Reporting – clear report with methodology, tool versions, hashes, limitations and exhibits; testimony if required.
Typical UK use cases
- Civil & criminal matters: harassment, coercive control, fraud, theft, IP disputes.
- Corporate investigations: insider risk, data exfiltration, HR grievances, BYOD incidents.
- Family law & safeguarding: contact disputes, coercion and undue influence.
- Incident response: phishing, account takeover, device misuse.
Mobile phone forensics: FAQs
Can you recover deleted messages?
Sometimes. If data blocks haven’t been overwritten and the OS permits access, remnants may be carved or reconstructed. We assess feasibility up front.
What if the phone is locked or encrypted?
Options vary by model/OS and legal authority. Alternatives may include device backups, companion devices or relevant cloud artefacts—always within the agreed scope.
Will the evidence be admissible in UK courts?
When acquired lawfully and documented to UK digital evidence principles with integrity checks, mobile phone forensics outputs are suitable for disclosure and court.
Do you examine iCloud/Google backups?
Where lawfully authorised, yes. Related cloud artefacts can corroborate device findings.
Practical tips to maximise evidential value
- Do not power-cycle the device or guess passcodes; isolate from networks.
- Record custody: who handled the device, when and why.
- Capture context: relevant dates, people, apps, nicknames, time zones.
- Be proportionate: define the questions you need answered before imaging.
Example outcomes (anonymised)
- Workplace harassment: corroborated threatening messages across WhatsApp and SMS using notification logs after partial deletion.
- Fraud investigation: linked geolocation artefacts and payment-app records to disputed transactions.
- Safeguarding: built a communications and media timeline evidencing coercive behaviour patterns.
Need mobile phone forensics in the UK?
If you need digital forensic services as a law enforcement officer, prosecution, solicitor, company director or private individual, you can call our digital forensic experts directly on 02071646971 or use the SECURE SERVICE INQUIRY FORM.