Mobile Device and App Forensics

Mobile devices today hold more personal evidence than any computer, from continuous GPS location to encrypted messaging conversations, but they're also the hardest to investigate because of their closed design and the manufacturer's security measures. Default encryption on iOS and Android, combined with frequent updates that break previously working extraction methods, forces forensic investigators to constantly stay up to date on which techniques remain viable for each specific model and operating system version. Beyond the operating system, each app stores data in its own formats that require dedicated analysis, from messaging apps' SQLite databases to map app caches that reveal places visited without the user knowing. In practice, gaining physical access to the device doesn't guarantee access to the data if the level of extraction achieved isn't enough to unlock encrypted partitions, which in many cases limits the real scope of the investigation.