Computer & Disk Drive Forensics Services in Raleigh, NC
Expert digital evidence recovery and forensic analysis for hard disk drives, solid-state drives, and computer storage media. PTG delivers certified, court-admissible forensic examinations to businesses, law firms, and government agencies across Raleigh, Durham, Research Triangle Park, and all of North Carolina.
Whether you are responding to a data breach, supporting active litigation, or investigating internal misconduct, our forensic specialists recover the evidence that matters and preserve it with an unbroken chain of custody. With over 22 years of experience and 2,500+ companies protected, PTG is the Triangle's trusted authority in disk drive forensics.
Immediate response available — 919-348-4912
Digital Evidence Is Fragile, and Time Is Not on Your Side
Every second a compromised computer remains powered on, critical digital evidence degrades. Operating systems continuously write temporary files, overwrite disk sectors, and modify metadata in ways that can permanently destroy the forensic artifacts needed to prove your case. Whether you are dealing with a ransomware attack, employee data theft, intellectual property disputes, or regulatory compliance investigations, the clock begins ticking the moment an incident occurs.
Many organizations in the Raleigh-Durham Triangle area make the costly mistake of allowing internal IT staff to examine compromised systems before engaging a forensic specialist. While well-intentioned, untrained handling of digital evidence can irrevocably alter timestamps, corrupt file structures, and contaminate the very data you need to recover. Once evidence integrity is compromised, even the most incriminating data may be deemed inadmissible in court.
The stakes extend far beyond the immediate investigation. Improperly handled forensic evidence can result in dismissed legal claims, regulatory fines, failed insurance claims, and lost civil judgments. For businesses facing data breach notification requirements under North Carolina law, the inability to accurately determine the scope of a breach due to evidence mishandling can expose the organization to additional legal liability and reputational harm.
Compounding these challenges is the growing sophistication of modern storage technologies. Solid-state drives with TRIM commands, encrypted file systems, RAID configurations, and cloud-synchronized storage all present unique obstacles that require specialized forensic knowledge and equipment to overcome. Generic data recovery approaches are simply inadequate when the integrity of evidence must withstand courtroom scrutiny and cross-examination.
Certified Disk Drive Forensics Built for the Courtroom
Petronella Technology Group (PTG) provides comprehensive computer and disk drive forensic services designed to meet the evidentiary standards required by North Carolina state courts, federal courts, and regulatory bodies. Our forensic laboratory in Raleigh is equipped with industry-leading hardware write-blockers, forensic imaging stations, and analysis platforms that enable our examiners to process evidence with absolute precision and reliability.
Every engagement begins with a detailed scoping consultation where our forensic team works with you and your legal counsel to define the investigation objectives, identify target devices, and establish a collection plan that minimizes disruption to your operations. Whether the investigation involves a single laptop hard drive or hundreds of workstations across multiple office locations in Durham, RTP, and the broader Triangle region, PTG scales our approach to match the complexity and urgency of your case.
Our forensic imaging process creates verified, bit-for-bit copies of every drive using hardware write-blocking devices that prevent any modification to the original evidence. Each forensic image is validated using both MD5 and SHA-256 cryptographic hash values, creating an irrefutable mathematical proof that the copy is identical to the source. All original evidence is then secured in our access-controlled evidence storage facility with comprehensive logging of every person who handles the media.
Analysis is performed exclusively on forensic image copies using validated tools including EnCase, FTK, X-Ways, and specialized open-source utilities. Our examiners trace user activity through file system artifacts, registry entries, browser histories, email archives, application logs, and deleted file recovery. We reconstruct timelines of user actions, identify data exfiltration patterns, recover evidence of file tampering, and locate hidden or encrypted content that could be pivotal to your case.
PTG's forensic reports are structured to satisfy the requirements of legal proceedings and regulatory submissions. Each report documents the evidence handling procedures, tools and methodologies employed, detailed findings with supporting evidence, and expert conclusions. Our reports are designed to be understood by judges, juries, attorneys, and regulatory examiners who may not possess deep technical backgrounds but need to evaluate the significance of digital evidence.
- Forensic-grade drive imaging with hardware write-blockers
- Cryptographic verification using MD5 and SHA-256 hashing
- Complete chain of custody documentation
- Deleted file recovery and data carving techniques
- Timeline reconstruction and user activity analysis
- Court-ready reports with expert witness availability
- Support for HDD, SSD, NVMe, RAID, USB, and legacy media
- Expedited processing for urgent litigation and breach response
Comprehensive Forensic Capabilities
Our disk drive forensics services cover every phase of the digital investigation lifecycle, from initial evidence acquisition through courtroom presentation. Each capability is executed with the precision and documentation standards required for legal admissibility.
Forensic Drive Imaging
We create exact, bit-for-bit copies of all storage media using industry-standard write-blocking hardware that prevents any alteration of the original evidence. Our imaging process captures every sector of the drive, including deleted data, slack space, and unallocated regions that standard copy methods miss entirely. Each forensic image is validated with MD5 and SHA-256 hashes to mathematically prove the copy is identical to the source. We support all drive interfaces including SATA, SAS, IDE, NVMe, USB, and legacy connections, ensuring complete compatibility with both modern and aging hardware found across Raleigh-area businesses.
Data Recovery & Reconstruction
Our forensic specialists employ advanced data carving and reconstruction techniques to recover files that have been deleted, corrupted, or damaged through hardware failure, malicious action, or accidental formatting. We extract data from failing drives with bad sectors, reconstruct fragmented files across non-contiguous disk areas, and recover information from encrypted volumes when keys or passwords are available. For solid-state drives where TRIM may have zeroed deleted blocks, we utilize firmware-level techniques and controller analysis to maximize recovery potential. PTG's recovery capabilities extend to all major file systems including NTFS, FAT32, exFAT, EXT4, APFS, and HFS+.
Evidence Preservation
Proper evidence preservation is the foundation of any successful forensic investigation. PTG implements rigorous protocols that protect digital evidence from the moment we take custody through final case resolution. Original drives are stored in anti-static, tamper-evident packaging within our secure, access-controlled evidence room. Environmental controls maintain appropriate temperature and humidity levels to prevent media degradation. Multiple forensic copies are created and stored at separate secure locations to protect against loss. We maintain detailed evidence intake logs documenting the physical condition, serial numbers, and identifying characteristics of every piece of media received, ensuring evidence authenticity can withstand challenges from opposing counsel.
Chain of Custody Management
An unbroken chain of custody is essential for evidence admissibility. PTG's chain of custody documentation tracks every transfer, examination, and storage event associated with each piece of evidence. Our system records the identity of every individual who handles evidence, the date and time of each interaction, the purpose of the access, and the condition of evidence at each checkpoint. Transfers between custody points are documented with dual signatures and photographic records. This meticulous approach ensures that when your case reaches the courtroom, opposing counsel cannot challenge the integrity or authenticity of the digital evidence recovered from disk drives examined by PTG's team.
Expert Forensic Analysis
PTG's forensic examiners conduct deep-dive analysis that goes far beyond simple file recovery. We examine Windows Registry artifacts, event logs, prefetch files, link files, and jump lists to reconstruct detailed timelines of user activity. Our analysis identifies when files were created, accessed, modified, and deleted; which programs were executed and when; what USB devices were connected; which websites were visited; and what communications occurred. For cases involving data exfiltration, we trace the movement of sensitive files through email attachments, cloud uploads, USB transfers, and network shares. Our examiners interpret complex technical artifacts and translate their significance into clear, understandable findings that support your legal strategy.
Court-Ready Forensic Reports
Every PTG forensic engagement culminates in a comprehensive report engineered for legal proceedings. Our reports detail the complete examination methodology, tools employed with version numbers and validation status, evidence handling procedures, technical findings organized by relevance to case objectives, and expert opinions supported by the evidence. Reports include visual timelines, annotated screenshots, hash verification records, and appendices containing raw data extracts. Each report is structured to meet the requirements of both direct examination and cross-examination in court. When testimony is required, PTG's forensic experts provide clear, authoritative expert witness services in courts throughout North Carolina and beyond.
Trusted by Organizations Across the Triangle
For more than two decades, businesses, law firms, and government agencies throughout Raleigh, Durham, Research Triangle Park, and greater North Carolina have relied on PTG for critical forensic investigations. Our track record speaks through consistent, verifiable results delivered under the highest professional standards.
Over two decades of hands-on forensic casework means PTG has encountered and resolved virtually every type of storage media challenge, file system anomaly, and evidence recovery scenario that modern digital investigations can present.
From small medical practices in Durham to enterprise organizations across RTP, PTG has provided forensic services to thousands of organizations spanning healthcare, legal, financial services, manufacturing, government, and technology sectors.
PTG maintains a zero-breach (for managed security clients) record across all managed clients. Our security-first approach to evidence handling ensures that the sensitive data entrusted to us during forensic examinations remains protected with the same rigor we apply to our own infrastructure.
Comprehensive Digital Forensics Ecosystem
Computer and disk drive forensics is one component of PTG's full-spectrum digital forensics and incident response practice. Investigations often span multiple device types and evidence sources. Explore our related forensic services to understand how PTG supports end-to-end investigations for organizations throughout Raleigh, Durham, RTP, and the broader North Carolina Triangle region.
Forensic analysis of server infrastructure, network traffic logs, firewall records, and intrusion detection system data to trace unauthorized access and lateral movement within your network environment.
Extraction and analysis of evidence from smartphones, tablets, and mobile devices including call records, text messages, application data, GPS location history, and deleted communications.
Learn about PTG's complete digital forensics practice including data breach response, eDiscovery support, vulnerability assessments, penetration testing, and incident response planning.
Schedule a confidential consultation to discuss your forensic needs with our certified examiners. Immediate response available for active incidents and urgent litigation matters.
What Sets PTG Apart in Disk Drive Forensics
Certified Expertise, Not Guesswork
PTG's forensic team holds industry-recognized certifications and maintains continuous training on emerging storage technologies, file systems, and forensic methodologies. Unlike general IT service providers who treat forensics as a side activity, PTG maintains dedicated forensic infrastructure and personnel focused exclusively on evidence-grade digital investigations. Our examiners understand the legal requirements governing digital evidence in North Carolina and federal jurisdictions, ensuring your evidence meets admissibility standards from collection through courtroom presentation.
Local Presence, Rapid Response
Based in Raleigh, PTG provides on-site evidence collection and forensic triage services throughout the Triangle region, including Durham, Chapel Hill, Research Triangle Park, Cary, Apex, Wake Forest, and surrounding communities. When time is critical, our forensic team can be on-site within hours to begin evidence preservation and imaging. For organizations outside the Triangle, PTG offers secure evidence shipping protocols and remote forensic collection capabilities that maintain chain of custody standards regardless of geographic distance.
Neutral Third-Party Credibility
Courts and regulatory bodies place greater weight on forensic evidence collected and analyzed by independent, qualified third parties. PTG serves as your neutral forensic examiner, free from the conflicts of interest that arise when internal IT staff conducts forensic work. Our independence strengthens the credibility of evidence in litigation, arbitration, regulatory proceedings, and insurance claims, giving you a significant advantage when the authenticity or handling of digital evidence comes under challenge.
End-to-End Investigation Support
PTG does not simply image a drive and hand you a raw data dump. We provide complete investigation support from initial evidence acquisition through expert testimony. Our forensic examiners collaborate with your legal team to focus analysis on case-relevant artifacts, prepare demonstrative exhibits for trial, and deliver expert witness testimony that clearly communicates technical findings to non-technical audiences. With 22+ years of experience supporting litigation across North Carolina, PTG understands how to present digital evidence in ways that resonate with judges and jurors.
Frequently Asked Questions About Disk Drive Forensics
Get answers to common questions about the computer and disk drive forensic investigation process, evidence handling, and what to expect when working with PTG's forensic team in Raleigh, NC.
Computer disk drive forensics is the scientific process of identifying, preserving, recovering, analyzing, and presenting digital evidence stored on computer hard drives, solid-state drives, and other storage media. This includes creating forensic images of drives, recovering deleted or corrupted files, analyzing file system metadata, and documenting findings in court-admissible reports. PTG's certified forensic examiners in Raleigh, NC use industry-standard tools and methodologies to ensure evidence integrity throughout the entire investigation.
PTG performs forensic analysis on virtually all types of storage media, including traditional hard disk drives (HDDs), solid-state drives (SSDs), NVMe drives, external USB drives, RAID arrays, flash drives, SD cards, and legacy storage media such as floppy disks and optical drives. Our forensic lab in the Raleigh-Durham Triangle area is equipped with specialized hardware and software capable of interfacing with drives from all major manufacturers, regardless of age, interface type, or file system format.
In many cases, yes. When files are deleted or a drive is formatted, the data often remains on the disk until it is overwritten by new data. PTG's forensic specialists use advanced data carving techniques and specialized recovery tools to reconstruct deleted files, recover data from formatted partitions, and extract information from damaged sectors. The success rate depends on factors such as how much new data has been written to the drive, the type of formatting performed, and whether the drive uses an HDD or SSD with TRIM functionality.
PTG follows strict chain of custody protocols that document every interaction with evidence from the moment it is received. This includes logging the date, time, and personnel involved at each stage; securing evidence in a locked, access-controlled facility; creating verified forensic images with cryptographic hash values (MD5 and SHA-256); and maintaining detailed documentation of all examination procedures. These protocols ensure that digital evidence remains admissible in North Carolina courts, federal proceedings, and regulatory investigations.
Forensic drive imaging is the process of creating an exact, bit-for-bit copy of a storage device, including all data, deleted files, slack space, and unallocated sectors. This image is verified using cryptographic hash values to prove that the copy is identical to the original. Drive imaging is critical because all forensic analysis is performed on the image copy rather than the original evidence, preserving the original drive in its unaltered state. PTG uses write-blocking hardware during imaging to prevent any accidental modification of the source drive.
The timeline for a forensic examination varies based on the complexity of the case, the size and number of drives involved, and the scope of the investigation. A single drive imaging process typically takes 4 to 12 hours depending on drive capacity. The full analysis and reporting process usually takes between one and three weeks. PTG offers expedited services for urgent matters such as active litigation, imminent court deadlines, or ongoing data breach incidents affecting businesses in Raleigh, Durham, RTP, and throughout North Carolina.
Yes. PTG's forensic processes adhere to industry standards and best practices recognized by courts nationwide, including methodologies aligned with NIST guidelines and the Scientific Working Group on Digital Evidence (SWGDE). Our forensic examiners maintain proper chain of custody, use validated forensic tools, and produce detailed reports that document every step of the examination. PTG's experts are also available to provide expert witness testimony in North Carolina state courts, federal courts, and administrative proceedings.
The most important step is to stop using the affected computer or device immediately. Do not power it on or off, do not attempt to recover files yourself, and do not allow IT staff to examine the drive. Continued use of the device can overwrite critical evidence and make recovery significantly more difficult or impossible. Secure the device in a safe location and contact PTG at 919-348-4912 as soon as possible. Our forensic team serving Raleigh, Durham, and the greater Triangle region will guide you through the proper evidence handling procedures to protect your case.