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We have
compiled here the most frequently asked questions about the services we
offer. Computer Forensics  How
does computer forensics differ from data recovery?
Audio Enhancement
Audio Forensics
Password Recovery
Hard Drive Wiping
Computer forensics is the process of collecting, preserving, analyzing, and reporting of electronic evidence. How does computer forensics differ from data recovery? Computer forensics is much more involved than simple data recovery which only involves recovering lost data. Computer forensics experts use specialized software and hardware to keep the electronic evidence in an unaltered condition. This is absolutely essential for any case involving litigation. In addition, analysis and presentation of the findings is an important component of computer forensics not performed in data recovery. The hard drive involved in my case has been formatted. Can you still find anything? In most cases, yes. Formatting removes the filesystem pointers to the data residing on the disk. Generally, the data still exists and is recoverable with forensic software. The important files in my case were deleted some time ago. Is there any chance of recovery now? Deleted data can frequently be recovered. The operating system uses temporary files transparent to the user. These files often persist after the original is gone. Fragments of original documents can also be located in various sections of the drive. The document I am looking for was prepared on a computer but was never saved to the disk. Is there any chance of recovering it? Possibly. Sometimes temporary files are created by the operating system even if the document is never saved. Fragments of unsaved documents can also exist on the drive. I believe there is critical information for my case on a PDA. Can you recover information from PDA's? Yes. How much do computer forensics services cost? The total costs of computer forensics services vary on a case by case basis. Some factors affecting this are amount of media examined, depth of analysis needed, case complexity, formal reports if requested, travel expenses, and court testimony. ISA Forensics recognizes government funded entities have limited resources. We believe that this should not limit an individual's fundamental right to access a competent computer forensics expert. Special pricing arrangements can be made for these situations on a case by case basis. I just need some lost files recovered. Can you help me? If there are no present or potential legal issues involved, then you need the services of a data recovery company. Our sister company, Accurate Data Recovery ,is available 24/7 to help you with your data recovery needs. My hard drive is malfunctioning. Can you help me with this? You need the services of a data recovery company. Our sister company, Accurate Data Recovery ,is available 24/7 to address your data recovery needs.
Audio enhancement is taking an audio recording and amplifying and/or clarifying certain inaudible or poorly recorded media by decreasing background noise or other sounds that interfere with the ability to hear the desired sounds. Frequently you can establish evidence of a specific time or place from enhancing certain background noises such as tv or radio. This can also help establish an event timeline. What sounds are removed in the audio enhancement process? We remove only the sounds which make the desired audio unintelligable. When the desired audio is intelligable, the process is complete. What noises are most commonly removed or reduced? Engine noise from dashmounted police car cameras. Ruffeling type noises caused when someone has a recorder hidden in a shirt pocket or pants pocket. Hum type noises caused by an outside power source. Background noises on recorded phone calls. Hiss from a cassette tape. From what types of media can audio be enhanced? We have extracted and enhanced audio from video tapes, CD's, full size cassete tapes, micro tapes, digital recorders, .wav files, mp3 files, and more. If you are unsure if this meets your needs, contact us for a consultation. I received the enhanced version of my audio but it doesn't sound much different to me. Why is this? Many people truly expect miracles with audio enhancement and many times it is difficult to meet those extraordinary expectations. Keep in mind that when we enhance audio, we are playing it on very high quality equipment. Because of this, the enhanced audio will usually sound better here than on the equipment you use for playback. We will always put the best possible version on the best possible media to give you maximum improvement. If your audio will be required in court, we can advise you on hardware/software issues. If necessary, we can also provide our equipment for courtroom use. How much does audio enhancement service cost? We like to present our clients with the best possible product that they can use. On a case by case basis we will discuss what you need and work with you to arrive at the best possible solution. Rates can be hourly or for whole projects depending on the situation. OK, I need some audio enhancement done. What now? Contact us for specific instructions. A chain of custody form may be required. Chain of custody form instructions. There is a consultation to determine your specific needs. We don't want to remove important, case relevant sounds such as a gunshot, police radio, siren, tv, etc. You ship your tape or media to us. A copy of your original tape/recording is made and the original is shipped back to you while we work on the copy. I have a deadline and need this audio enhancement back within a week. Can you help? Yes. Expedited service is available for an additional $250. The expedite fee is non-refundable.
What is the difference between audio forensics and audio enhancement? Audio Forensics is much more complex than audio enhancement. Audio forensics includes services such as voice pattern analysis, speaker identification, sound identification, and speaker location determination. Audio forensics techniques were used to authenticate voices on alleged statements from Saddam Hussein and Osama Bin Laden were authentic. Sometimes a case will start out as an audio enhancement job and then evolve into a much larger audio forensics case based on the results of the enhancement. What started the field of audio forensics? The foundation for audio forensics goes all the way back to the Watergate incident. Audio forensic techniques were used to remove unwanted noises and to recover lost footage. What qualifications should I look for in an audio forensics expert? Audio forensics is a combination of scientific knowledge and skill of the practioner and is not something that can be done by the average person. Audio forensics specialists must be well versed in this field as they will frequently be required to testify in court. Having someone with inadequate qualifications perform this work for you will embarrass you and seriously risk having your evidence ruled inadmissible in court. How much do audio forensics services cost? These services are more expensive than audio enhancement due to the level of knowledge, experience, and time required of the forensic examiner. If you are in need of this service, you will likely require expert testimony to accompany the analysis. Since the price for these services vary on a case by case basis, contact us about pricing for this service.
From which types of files can you recover passwords? Passwords can be recovered or broken for many types of files and programs such as documents, spreadsheets, databases, presentations, email clients, operating systems,etc. Some example file types are Microsoft Office products(Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook, Access), Wordperfect Office products(Wordperfect, Quattro Pro, Paradox, Presentations), Adobe PDF's, ZIP/RAR/ACE compressed archives, etc. In addition, we can also recover passwords for many operating systems such as Windows, Web based email accounts, and more. If you are unsure if this meets your needs, contact us for free advice. Are all password protected files recoverable? No. Some programs and files have very advanced password algorithoms which make recovery difficult if not impossible. There are techniques available which can sometimes be successful in even these cases though. Can you break into my spouse's password protected files/email accounts for me? Generally no. Under most circumstances this is illegal.
Hard drive wiping is the process employed to make all data residing on a hard drive or other electronic media unrecoverable. I deleted all the files and emptied the Recycle Bin. Isn't that enough? NO! Because of the way the filesystems work, this just means conventional software such as Windows Explorer can't see this information. Forensic software can recover this data. Doesn't formatting or FDisking the drive make the data unrecoverable? NO! Because of the way the filesystems work, this just means conventional software such as Windows Explorer can't see this information. Forensic software can usually recover this data. You say you can
wipe my hard drives or other electronic media to Department of Defense
(DOD) standards. The Department of Defense 5220-22M Standard states hard drives must be sanitized for reuse by overwriting all addressable locations with a character, its complement, then a random character and verify. Basically your sensitive data is overwritten 3 times with 3 different characters and then verified as such.
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