Cracking the case with digital forensics.

In the world of law enforcement, digital forensics is a game changer nearly as important as DNA testing.

When two 13 year old girls went missing in September 2014, the first place detectives looked for clues was on their iPod, smartphones and other digital devices. The digital evidence led them to the girls and they were found in the basement of 23 year old Casey lee chin. He is now being charged with felony criminal sexual conduct, kidnapping and solicitation of a child.

 Digital forensics – the examination of cell phones, tablets and personal electronics in criminal investigations – is dramatically changing the way cases are worked and solved. While technology has created new portals for predators searching for victims, it is also leaving tell-tale trails for police.

Law enforcement say that digital forensics has become an investigation imperative. With majority of adult’s caring a cellophane the devices have become the one constant in many people’s lives. Your cell phone has become everything you need throughout the day – your alarm clock, phone line, email, social media terminal and so much more. Police use that almost constant phone activity to verify a suspects or witness statement and provide a log of a person movements and activities. Smartphones can even be an eyewitness by recording a crime in progress.

Electronic devices are just a treasure trove of information. The digital evidence is one of the first thing investigators look at because they leave footprints all over the place – who you were talking with, where you’re take you photos and even who you’re been tweeting.

It’s true, technology leaves a tell-tale trail for law enforcement and digital forensic investigators.

Always think before you hit Send!

Did you know that your SMSs, WhatsApp or social network inbox messages can be used as evidence against you in a court of law? Well, for those who are possibly heading towards a divorce or breakup need to be extra careful about sending messages!

Because of all the advancements in the area of digital forensics, including social media investigations and cellular forensics, there has been a massive spike in cases that use evidence found on digital devices such as smartphones and computers.

Many people send messages without even thinking twice, this is known as “spontaneous venting”, however it can come back to hurt you, so always rethink what you’re saying before you hit send…

When it comes to evidence in a divorce, usually a nasty one, things such as SMSs, WhatsApp messages and other direct messages are most commonly used as well as emails, phone numbers, GPS locations and search history.

Most divorce lawyers will tell their clients to stay off social media platforms and avoid sending nasty messages and posting unnecessary statuses, the sad thing is that most of these clients choose not to follow this vital advice.

Anything that is in writing, you have to assume that someday a judge is going to see it. So, if it is not something that you don’t want a judge to see – don’t hit the send button!

You can always erase your messages, but that doesn’t mean they’re gone forever…

With the latest tools and forensic software, the digital forensics investigators at the TCG Forensics Division as well as OSINT are able to assist investigators and attorneys in Cape Town, Pretoria and nationally. For more information about the digital forensics services on offer please call 021 110 0422 or email contact@tcgforensics.co.za

4 important Tips to get the most out of your Security Camera System

Having a modern surveillance camera system can help you when it comes to solving break-ins, robberies and a range of different crimes, but how can you improve the odds even more?

With the help of an expert audio/video forensics investigator, you can boost those odds even further in your favor - contact the TCG Digital Forensics Division on 021 110 0422 or email contact@tcgforensics.co.za for digital forensics services including CCTV image enhancement.

To get the most out of your security camera system, your cameras should be placed where they can capture the best possible footage…

Place at eye level – A camera that is close to a ceiling will cover a wider area, but that isn’t the best angle when it comes to capturing footage of a suspects face.

Don’t aim towards lights – Lighting from a window or a lamp, etc. can create silhouettes, this in turn makes it difficult to recognize a possible suspect.

Avoid it being too far away – A camera that is placed too far away is not likely to capture a high quality image of a suspects face, making it hard to identify someone.

Use multiple cameras – The more angles you have covered by cameras, the better your odds are of capturing a suspects face or any other evidence.

We hope you never need video evidence to investigate, but the tips above will improve your chances in the even that you do! 

At The Computer Guyz we offer a range of different services as well as products, we are currently offering a state-of-the-art Uniview 4 Camera CCTV System. Order yours today - Give us a call on 021 110 0422 or email contact@tcgcape.co.za

What is Mobile Phone Analysis?

As mobile devices become more and more dominant in our lives, the opportunity to store and circulate information is more possible than ever.

Mobile devices have many different features, like the ability to take photos and videos. When a multimedia file is taken, many devices automatically embed GPS location of the handset at that time. This then allows the location of the user at that exact moment to be established at a later date.

Multiple communication features, such as Bluetooth, WiFi 3G and 4G enable the transfer of information that can even cross international boundaries. Users can browse the internet, send and receive emails, post blogs and even removable media cards can be inserted into the device allowing information to be exchanged.

Depending on the client, the following information can be recovered from a mobile phone:

• SMS
• Email
• Call history
• Photos
• Videos
• WhatsApp history
• Passwords

Mobile devices are similar to computers, but with far more powerful capabilities. The value of the evidence found on a smartphone or any other mobile device must never be overlooked! The TCG Forensic Division has the cellular and digital expertise to extract and uncover the evidence you need. 

Data Loss and Recovery

Losing your data can happen in a number of ways. From accidentally deleting your files and your hard drive failing to hacking or even power failure! All these things can cause your data to be seemingly lost forever…

However, it is possible for some data recovery specialists to retrieve your precious data even if it has almost completely been destroyed. Should there be data on your hard drive, flash drive or other storage device that you would like to salvage – contact the TCG Forensic Division to discuss your requirements.

The bad news is that sometimes it is not possible to recover the data you have lost; sometimes the system is too damaged to get any data back.

There are certain methods that are used to get your lost data back, however the methods used depend on the way your data was lost in the first place. Here are some of the most common forms of data recovery:

~ File deletion recovery

~ File corruption recovery

~ File system format or damage

~ Physical drive damage

~ Solid state drive data recovery

The one best method that should always be used to protect your data – Make lots of backups on a regular basis!