Digital Forensics

Digital Forensics is a highly specialised and rapidly growing field of investigation. The investigations can be conducted on-site, remotely, or in a Hawkins laboratory, depending on the circumstances.
Hawkins completes each stage of Digital Forensic Investigation (DFI) models whilst conforming to ACPO guidelines and ISO standards. This requires using various industry standard Digital Forensic acquisition and analysis tools to acquire, analyse, identify, and report on electronically stored information (ESI) from various digital devices such as servers, desktop computers, laptops, tablets, mobile phones, CCTV units, Sat Navs and USB storage devices.

COMPUTERS & MOBILE DEVICES

Given the prevalence of computers and mobile devices in the world today, the need to investigate the activities conducted using those devices is becoming more and more relevant and useful. Technology is integrated into our daily lives, personally and professionally. As a result, the data on the devices we wear, carry, and interact with can provide useful information. 

In many ways, smartphones and tablets have become as powerful as computers, and are much more portable. However, the way mobile devices operate is fundamentally different to a traditional computer, and therefore they must be handled differently. Hawkins has the expertise necessary to examine all kinds of portable, mobile devices as well as computers.

Why Appoint a Hawkins Digital Forensic Investigator?

Hawkins’ Digital Forensic investigators have a plethora of knowledge and experience within Digital Forensics, having been instructed on several high-profile criminal and civil litigations as well as a public inquiry. Each investigator undertakes rigorous technical and expert witness training, as well as adhering to best practice guidelines, standards, processes and procedures at all times.

Hawkins’ Digital Forensic investigators have knowledge of, and experience working with, the following types of:

Law:

• Criminal
• Civil
• Family

Devices:

• Servers
• Desktop Computers
• Laptops
• Tablets
• Mobile phones
• CCTV units
• Satnavs
• USB Storage Devices

Operating Systems:

• Windows
• MacOS
• Linux
• IOS
• Android
• Other proprietary operating systems

Our analysis can provide answers to questions Such as:

• What events occurred during a specific timeframe?
• What telephone calls and messages were sent and received?
• Was any data deleted?
• Was data transferred to a USB storage device?
• Who sent an email?
• What websites were visited?
• What search terms were searched?
• Who authored the document?
• What was the location of the device?
• Was there an email phishing attack?

COMMON AREAS OF WORK INCLUDE:

• Murder, manslaughter or assault
• Sexual offences
• Fraud
• Bribery
• Intellectual property theft
• Employment tribunals
• Breach of contract
• Negligence
• Family disputes