How to get files to Datalab for Forensic Review

Provisioning of Image or video evidence from cellular devices for forensic review where the device is not present at Datalab.

Where ideally, inline with forensic best practice, Datalab would parse any data directly from the device that created it, this is not always an option. Additionally, in instances where we are only being asked to review specific data this may not always be warranted. 

We have thus created a simple explanation below of how we need to obtain images as and where these are being supplied by the device user.

If you have been asked to supply images or video to Datalab for review we supply the below instructional detailing the correct means of doing so to ensure the integrity of the image and its embedded metadata is maintained.

This process needs to occur on the hardware that is noted to have created the image or video.

Open the gallery application and located the image of concern.

                                                                                 For IOS Devices; (iPhone, iPad etc)

Long hold your finger on the image or video as it appears in your gallery thumbnails. This will allow you to select the image or video. At this time, if you have been asked to select multiple items you can further select these.

Option A) If you have iCloud enabled and your images are known to be backed up you can select the share button that looks like this:

This will open further options. If you scroll down this page there is an option to ‘Share iCloud Link’. This will copy a link to your devices clip board. Next open your mail application and start a new email pasting the created link into this email. 

Option B) If you do not have iCloud enabled and/or your devices are known to only exist on the IOS device in hand, again, press the share button that looks like this:

You will then be presented with options to share the selected data. This can be done via email as and where the selected data is small enough (>20MB) or via third party cloud storage applications such as Google Drive, Dropbox or Onedrive.

                                                               For Android Devices; (Samsung, Oppo, Xiaomi etc)

Long hold your finger on the image or video as it appears in your gallery thumbnails. This will allow you to select the image or video. At this time, if you have been asked to select multiple items you can further select these.

At the bottom of your screen you will see a share button that looks like this:

When selected, the share button will offer a number of ways to distribute the selected data. For smaller items, these can be done simply by sharing as email attachments. For larger items, this can be done through cloud storage applications such as Google Drive, Dropbox or Onedrive.

Note: It is important that if offered you do not adjust or change the resolution/quality of the image as this may result in changes that alter the core image.

If you are having issue with any of these options, please call the lab on 0800 328 2522 Opt 3 quoting your case number