Frequently Asked Questions

At Mako Forensics, we understand that digital investigations can feel complex and overwhelming. That’s why we’ve compiled answers to the most common questions about our services, process, and expertise.

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Your Questions, Answered

General FAQs

Digital forensics is the process of identifying, preserving, analyzing, and presenting digital evidence in a legally sound manner.

Mako Forensics recovers, extracts and interprets data from phones, computers, and other digital devices to uncover critical evidence.

Whether you’re dealing with distracted driving lawsuits, internal investigations, or other legal matters, our expertise ensures that digital evidence strengthens your case with accuracy and objectivity.

We handle a wide range of cases, including distracted driving incidents, intellectual property theft, data recovery, fraud investigations, family law disputes, and human resource matters.

No matter the complexity of the case, our goal is to provide objective, actionable, court-ready findings.

Currently, Mako Forensics focuses solely on non-criminal matters and does not directly offer forensic consultation or services for criminal cases.

However, due to Eric’s wide professional network, we can recommend a provider that fit’s your circumstances.

Just reach out with your specific need, and we’ll find the company you need.

The time-frame varies based on the complexity of the case and the volume of data involved.

Some investigations can be completed in days, while others may take weeks.

At Mako Forensics, we prioritize efficiency without compromising accuracy, providing you with clear timelines and updates throughout the process.

Yes, in many cases, deleted data can be recovered.

Using advanced forensic tools and techniques, we often retrieve deleted messages, emails, files, and other critical evidence. However, the success of data recovery depends on factors like the device type and how the data was deleted.

Contact us for a free consultation to assess your specific situation.

Absolutely!

When conducted properly, digital forensic evidence is highly admissible in court.

In fact, this is an area that Mako Forensics truly outshines the rest. Our examiners have been certified as experts numerous times and have the experience it takes to professionally testify about our process and findings.

We follow strict industry standards to ensure all evidence is handled and documented in a way that exceeds legal requirements.

Our expert reports and testimony are crafted to stand up to scrutiny in any courtroom.

Yes, our examiners have been accepted by the court as digital forensic experts numerous times under the Daubert Standard.

We provide expert witness services to explain forensic findings clearly and objectively in court.

Our reports are written with this in mind, and we’re experienced in presenting technical evidence in a way that’s understandable to judges and juries.

Data security is our top priority.

We use encrypted tools, follow the latest best practices, and adhere to strict confidentiality agreements to ensure your data remains protected.

Your trust and privacy are paramount to us at Mako Forensics.

Of course! We specialize in supporting attorneys and law firms with expert digital forensic services.

Whether you need evidence for litigation, e-discovery assistance, or expert testimony, we provide detailed reports and insights to help guide your case and ensure a clear presentation of digital evidence.

We can analyze a wide range of devices, including smartphones (both Apple and Android), tablets, laptops, desktops, hard drives, cloud storage, GPS systems, and vehicle infotainment systems.

If it stores data, we likely have the tools and expertise to investigate it.

Costs vary depending on the scope of the investigation, the type of devices involved, and the amount of data to be analyzed.

Basic phone extractions start at $1,600 and up. At Mako Forensics, we offer transparent pricing and tailored solutions to meet your needs.

Contact us for a personalized quote.

Yes, absolutely! At Mako Forensics, we’re passionate about sharing our expertise in digital forensics with others.

Whether it’s a professional conference, a legal team meeting, or a community event, we provide engaging and informative presentations tailored to your audience.

Topics can include the basics of digital forensics, emerging trends, or specialized subjects like mobile forensics or e-discovery.

Contact us to discuss your event’s needs, and we’ll create a customized presentation that informs and inspires.

With over 26 years of investigative experience and a commitment to objective truth, Eric Kelley and the Mako Forensics team, offer award-winning, unmatched expertise, precision, reliability and personalized customer service.

We combine cutting-edge tools with a deep understanding of legal standards to deliver results you can trust.

Choose us for your digital forensic needs and gain a trusted partner in uncovering critical evidence.

Mobile Phone Forensics FAQs

Today’s mobile phones hold data relevant to almost everything we do, everywhere we go, everyone we communicate with, and even the amount of steps we take.

It’s possible to recover chats, call logs, photos, videos, app data, GPS location history, and more—even if the data has been deleted or the phone is damaged.

Contact us for a personal consultation with an expert to discuss your specific needs.

Yes, we specialize in extracting and analyzing data from popular messaging and social media apps. This can include deleted messages, media files, and usage history.

Currently, Mako Forensics contracts mostly with willing individuals or attorneys looking to comply with court orders. Therefore, no code bypass is generally required.

However, if the need arises, and it is legally permissible, we can partner with trusted forensic specialists using advanced forensic tools to access locked or encrypted phones.

The feasibility depends on the device and encryption type, but we’ll always discuss options and set expectation with you.

Yes, in most cases, we can recover deleted text messages, call logs, and even app data.

The success depends on how recently the data was deleted and whether the phone has been overwritten.

Absolutely! We are experienced in working with all major mobile operating systems, including Android and iOS, using advanced forensic tools tailored for each platform.

Even if a phone is physically damaged, we may still be able to recover data by extracting it directly from the internal storage.

We’ll assess the condition and determine the best recovery method.

Yes, mobile forensics can reveal activity logs, such as texting, app usage, or calls made at specific times.

This can be especially useful in cases like distracted driving investigations.

We use forensic-grade tools to create a secure, read-only copy of the phone’s data, preserving its original state. This ensures the evidence remains intact and legally admissible.

Computer Forensics FAQs

Computer forensics can reveal deleted files, emails, browsing history, software usage, and even document edits or unauthorized data access.

It’s invaluable for legal and corporate investigations.

In many cases, yes. We use specialized hardware and software to recover data from damaged or corrupted computers.

Yes, we can analyze access logs and metadata to determine when a file was accessed, what user accessed it, and what changes were made.

Vehicle Forensics FAQs

Although experts at Mako Forensics are trained in extracting data directly from vehicles (such as infotainment systems), this ability is currently available to government entities only.

However, if data is collected by law enforcement or other government agency, we can analyze whatever data was collected which includes GPS data, trip history, call logs, text messages, and event data (e.g., speed, braking, or airbag deployment).

This information can help reconstruct events or verify driver behavior.

Vehicle infotainment systems often store information about phone usage, text messages, and call logs during driving, which can clarify whether distraction played a role in an accident and at what time.

Yes, as long as the vehicle data was collected properly, we can provide forensic analysis for fleet vehicles to investigate misuse, verify routes, or address incidents involving company-owned cars.

E-Discovery FAQs

E-discovery involves collecting and analyzing electronically stored information (ESI) for legal cases. This includes emails, documents, databases, and more.

While both involve digital data, e-discovery focuses on identifying and organizing evidence for legal review, whereas digital forensics involves in-depth analysis to uncover hidden or deleted data.

Yes, we’re equipped to manage cases involving extensive ESI, using tools that streamline the process while maintaining accuracy and efficiency.

Cloud Forensics FAQs

We can recover documents, emails, photos, and more stored on cloud services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or iCloud. Metadata and access logs can also provide insight into who accessed files and when.

Cloud forensics focuses on data stored off-device in remote servers. It often involves accessing account credentials and ensuring compliance with provider terms and legal standards.

Video & Image Forensics FAQs

Yes, we verify whether videos or images have been altered, analyze metadata, and examine their origin to ensure they are genuine.

We use advanced tools to clarify and enhance low-resolution or noisy videos, bringing out important details like faces, license plates, or actions.

Forensic Consultation FAQs

We provide expert guidance on evidence collection, analysis, and strategy, ensuring your case is supported by sound forensic practices and objective findings.

Yes, we offer second-opinion reviews of prior forensic work to ensure accuracy and completeness, or to uncover overlooked evidence.