Tablet & Mobile Device Forensics in Raleigh, NC
Court-ready forensic acquisition and analysis of smartphones, tablets, and mobile devices. Our certified examiners recover deleted data, extract app evidence, and trace digital activity across iOS, Android, and all major platforms serving Raleigh, Durham, RTP, and the greater Triangle region.
Mobile Evidence Is Everywhere — And Disappearing Fast
In today's mobile-first world, critical evidence lives on the devices people carry every day. The problem is that this evidence is fragile, encrypted, and vanishing with every passing hour.
Volatile & Time-Sensitive Evidence
Mobile devices continuously overwrite data to manage limited storage. Deleted text messages, call logs, photographs, and application data can be permanently lost within hours. Auto-updates, cloud syncing, and remote wipe capabilities make every moment critical. When litigation arises or a breach is discovered, organizations in Raleigh and across the Triangle need immediate forensic acquisition to preserve evidence before it disappears forever.
BYOD Complexity & Legal Risk
Bring Your Own Device policies have blurred the line between corporate data and personal privacy. When an employee's personal phone contains evidence of intellectual property theft, harassment, or data exfiltration, organizations face enormous legal complexity. Improper handling can destroy evidence, violate employee privacy rights, and expose your business to additional liability. Without certified forensic protocols, the evidence you recover may be inadmissible in North Carolina courts.
Encryption & Security Barriers
Modern smartphones use hardware-level encryption, biometric authentication, and secure enclaves that make forensic access challenging. iOS and Android devices employ increasingly sophisticated security measures that require specialized tools and expertise. A single wrong attempt at accessing a locked device can trigger data destruction protocols, permanently eliminating the evidence you need for your investigation or legal matter.
Cross-Platform Data Fragmentation
Evidence in modern investigations is rarely confined to a single device. Text conversations span iMessage, WhatsApp, Signal, and Slack. Files move between phones, tablets, laptops, and cloud services. Location data, browsing history, and app activity create a complex web of evidence that requires advanced forensic correlation. Without the right expertise, critical connections between devices and data sources go undiscovered.
Forensically Sound Mobile Analysis You Can Trust in Court
Petronella Technology Group delivers comprehensive mobile and tablet forensic services built on over 22 years of cybersecurity expertise. Our certified forensic examiners use industry-leading tools including Cellebrite UFED, GrayKey, Oxygen Forensic Detective, and MSAB XRY to perform court-admissible extractions across all major mobile platforms. Whether you are investigating employee misconduct at your Durham headquarters, responding to a data breach in Research Triangle Park, or supporting litigation in Wake County, our team provides the technical precision and legal defensibility your case demands.
We perform logical, filesystem, and physical extractions tailored to each device and investigation scope. Our process follows strict chain-of-custody procedures from the moment a device enters our facility through final report delivery and expert testimony. Every examination produces detailed, court-ready documentation that translates complex technical findings into clear, compelling evidence for judges, juries, and opposing counsel across North Carolina.
From recovering deleted text messages on an iPhone involved in a family law dispute to extracting encrypted application data from an Android tablet in a corporate fraud investigation, PTG has the experience, tools, and certifications to deliver results. Our forensic lab serves clients throughout Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Chapel Hill, the Research Triangle, and all of North Carolina with both on-site and remote forensic capabilities.
Platforms & Devices We Analyze
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Apple iOS Devices
iPhone (all generations), iPad, iPad Pro, iPad Mini, iPod Touch, Apple Watch
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Android Devices
Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, OnePlus, Motorola, LG, and all Android manufacturers
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Tablets & Specialty Devices
Samsung Galaxy Tab, Amazon Fire, Microsoft Surface, Chromebook tablets, rugged field devices
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Legacy & Damaged Devices
Older smartphones, water-damaged devices, broken screens, devices with failed components
Comprehensive Mobile Forensics Services
Six core forensic disciplines designed to extract, preserve, and present mobile evidence with the precision and defensibility your case requires.
iOS Device Forensics
Our iOS forensic specialists handle every generation of iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch using advanced acquisition techniques that bypass or work within Apple's security architecture. We perform full filesystem extractions, keychain analysis, and iCloud data recovery. Our examiners decode iOS-specific databases including SQLite stores for messages, call history, Safari browsing, health data, and application caches. We address locked devices, disabled passcodes, and MDM-managed corporate iPhones with tools and techniques recognized by courts throughout North Carolina and beyond.
Android Device Forensics
Android's fragmented ecosystem requires specialized knowledge across hundreds of manufacturers and custom firmware versions. PTG's forensic team extracts data from Samsung, Google Pixel, OnePlus, Motorola, and all Android devices using chip-off, JTAG, ISP, and advanced logical extraction methods. We recover data from encrypted partitions, analyze custom app data stores, and decode manufacturer-specific databases. Our expertise spans Android versions from legacy systems through the latest releases, ensuring no evidence is overlooked regardless of the device in your investigation.
Tablet Analysis
Tablets present unique forensic challenges due to their larger storage capacities, multi-user profiles, and diverse use as both productivity and personal devices. PTG examines iPads, Samsung Galaxy Tabs, Amazon Fire tablets, Microsoft Surface devices, and all other tablet platforms. We extract documents, presentations, spreadsheets, handwritten notes, drawing files, and enterprise application data that often contains evidence unavailable on smartphones. Our tablet forensics process accounts for shared device scenarios common in corporate, educational, and family environments across the Raleigh-Durham metro area.
Deleted Data Recovery
Deleted does not mean gone. Our forensic examiners specialize in recovering data that users believed was permanently erased. Using physical extraction techniques, NAND flash analysis, and proprietary carving algorithms, we recover deleted text messages, photographs, videos, contacts, call records, emails, and documents. Even after factory resets, intentional deletion, or anti-forensic applications, residual data often persists in unallocated space, journal files, and write-ahead logs. PTG's deleted data recovery capabilities have produced critical evidence in fraud, IP theft, and litigation cases across the Research Triangle.
App Data Extraction
Modern mobile devices contain hundreds of applications, each generating unique evidentiary data. PTG extracts and analyzes data from messaging apps (WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram, Facebook Messenger), social media platforms (Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok), financial applications (banking, cryptocurrency wallets, payment platforms), corporate tools (Slack, Teams, Zoom), and dating applications. We decode proprietary database formats, reconstruct deleted conversations, recover ephemeral messages, and correlate app activity with device events to build a complete evidentiary timeline for attorneys, HR departments, and law enforcement throughout NC.
GPS & Location Analysis
Location data provides powerful corroborative evidence in investigations ranging from employee misconduct to criminal defense. PTG extracts and analyzes GPS coordinates, cell tower connection logs, Wi-Fi access point histories, Bluetooth pairing records, and application-specific location data. We reconstruct precise movement timelines, generate visual map overlays, and correlate location evidence with other device activity. Our location analysis has placed individuals at specific locations at specific times in cases involving trade secret theft, insurance fraud, custody disputes, and criminal investigations across Wake County, Durham County, and the greater Triangle region.
The Numbers Behind Our Expertise
For over two decades, PTG has built an unmatched record of forensic excellence across the Triangle and North Carolina, delivering results that hold up under the most intense legal scrutiny.
& Forensic Expertise
Across the Triangle & NC
on Our Watch
Forensic Reports
PTG has served clients ranging from solo attorneys to Fortune 500 corporations, from local Raleigh small businesses to national law firms. Our forensic evidence has been admitted in North Carolina Superior Court, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina, and federal courts nationwide. Every engagement is backed by our commitment to forensic accuracy, legal defensibility, and clear communication with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Complete Digital Forensics Ecosystem
Mobile forensics is often one piece of a larger investigation. PTG offers a full spectrum of forensic services that work together to build comprehensive, airtight cases.
Hard drive imaging, file recovery, email analysis, and forensic examination of desktops, laptops, and external storage devices across the Raleigh-Durham area.
Server log analysis, network traffic examination, intrusion detection forensics, and enterprise infrastructure investigation for Triangle businesses.
Learn about PTG's complete digital forensics practice, including e-discovery support, expert witness services, and incident response capabilities.
Speak directly with a forensic examiner about your case. Free initial consultations available for attorneys, businesses, and individuals in NC.
Why Raleigh Trusts PTG for Mobile Forensics
Not all forensic providers are equal. PTG combines deep technical expertise with courtroom-tested methodology, delivering mobile forensic results that stand up to opposing counsel's challenges and expert cross-examination. Here is what sets us apart from other providers in the Triangle and across North Carolina.
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Certified Forensic Examiners
Through our partner network, our forensic engagements have access to professionals holding CCE, CFCE, and manufacturer-specific mobile forensics certifications recognized by courts nationwide.
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Industry-Leading Toolset
We invest in Cellebrite UFED, GrayKey, Oxygen Forensic Detective, MSAB XRY, and Magnet AXIOM to ensure maximum data recovery across all device types.
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22+ Years of Experience
Over two decades serving Raleigh, Durham, RTP, and the broader NC market with zero data breaches and over 2,500 companies protected.
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Court-Ready Documentation
Every report is designed for legal proceedings, with detailed chain-of-custody documentation, hash verification, and clear findings summaries for non-technical audiences.
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Expert Witness Testimony
Our examiners have testified in state and federal courts, effectively communicating complex technical findings to judges, juries, and arbitration panels.
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Rapid Response Capability
Emergency forensic acquisition available 24/7 for time-sensitive matters. On-site evidence collection across the Triangle region with same-day service available.
Mobile Forensics FAQ
Common questions from attorneys, business leaders, and individuals in the Raleigh-Durham area considering mobile device forensic services.
PTG performs forensic analysis on virtually all mobile devices including iPhones, iPads, Android smartphones, Android tablets, Samsung Galaxy devices, Google Pixel phones, and legacy mobile platforms. Our certified forensic examiners use industry-leading tools such as Cellebrite UFED, GrayKey, and Oxygen Forensic Detective to handle devices across all manufacturers and operating system versions, including locked and damaged devices.
Yes. Our mobile forensics team specializes in recovering deleted text messages, SMS, MMS, iMessages, photographs, videos, call logs, browser history, and application data. Even after a factory reset, forensic techniques can often recover data remnants stored in NAND flash memory. Our success rate for deleted data recovery exceeds industry averages due to our proprietary extraction methodologies and advanced tools.
Absolutely. PTG follows strict chain-of-custody protocols and forensically sound acquisition methods that meet Daubert and Frye standards. Our certified examiners produce court-ready reports, and we provide expert witness testimony when required. We have supported litigation across Raleigh, Durham, the Triangle region, and throughout North Carolina with evidence that has been consistently admitted in state and federal courts.
A standard mobile forensic examination typically takes 3 to 7 business days, depending on the device type, storage capacity, encryption status, and scope of the investigation. Emergency and expedited examinations are available for time-sensitive legal matters, with preliminary findings often delivered within 24 to 48 hours. Complex cases involving multiple devices or heavily encrypted data may require additional time.
A logical extraction retrieves data accessible through the device's operating system, including contacts, messages, call logs, and media files. A physical extraction creates a bit-for-bit copy of the device's entire memory, capturing deleted files, hidden partitions, and residual data not visible through standard access. PTG performs both types of extraction and selects the appropriate method based on the device, investigation requirements, and legal needs.
Yes. Bring Your Own Device investigations are a core specialty. PTG navigates the complex intersection of corporate data and personal privacy on employee-owned devices. We work with legal counsel to ensure examinations are properly scoped, data collection is defensible, and employee privacy rights are respected while still recovering critical corporate evidence for internal investigations and litigation.
Yes. PTG provides qualified expert witness testimony for mobile forensics cases in state and federal courts across North Carolina and nationwide. Through our partner network, our forensic engagements have access to professionals holding certifications including CCE and CFCE, and have provided testimony in hundreds of cases involving mobile device evidence. We prepare detailed forensic reports designed for both technical and non-technical audiences to support effective courtroom presentation.
Mobile device forensics pricing varies based on the device type, extraction method required, scope of analysis, and reporting needs. PTG offers transparent, flat-rate pricing for standard examinations and provides detailed quotes after an initial consultation. We serve clients throughout Raleigh, Durham, RTP, and the greater Triangle area. Contact us at 919-348-4912 for a free consultation and customized quote for your specific case.
Every Minute Counts. Preserve Your Mobile Evidence Today.
Mobile evidence is volatile and degrades with every passing hour. Whether you are an attorney preparing for trial, a business investigating employee misconduct, or an individual protecting your rights, PTG's certified forensic examiners are ready to help. We serve Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Chapel Hill, Research Triangle Park, and all of North Carolina with emergency response available 24/7.
Free consultation available: 919-348-4912