Client Emails Lost on Seagate Hard Drive – Forensic Investigation

A law firm in London encountered a critical issue when client emails stored on a Seagate external hard drive were lost. The emails contained sensitive legal correspondence and case details essential for ongoing and archived cases. The firm discovered that the emails had either been deleted or corrupted and sought help from Advanced Data Recovery, London’s leading data recovery company, to recover the missing data.

The case required not only data recovery but also a forensic investigation to determine how the emails were lost, whether through accidental deletion, corruption, or deliberate tampering.

The Problem

The Seagate hard drive had the following issues:

  1. Logical Corruption:
    • The email files, stored as Outlook PST files, were corrupted, making them inaccessible.
  2. Accidental or Deliberate Deletion:
    • The emails were either accidentally deleted or tampered with, requiring forensic analysis to determine the cause.
  3. No Recent Backup:
    • The hard drive was the primary storage for archived client emails, and no recent backup existed.

The Forensic Data Recovery Process by Advanced Data Recovery

Step 1: Initial Assessment

The team performed an in-depth diagnosis:

  • Drive Inspection: Confirmed that the hard drive was physically intact with no mechanical issues.
  • File System Analysis: Found corruption in the NTFS file system, which had rendered email files inaccessible.
  • Forensic Impressions: Created a forensic image of the hard drive to preserve the original data and prevent accidental overwrites during the recovery process.

Step 2: Forensic Investigation

The investigation focused on identifying the root cause of the missing emails:

  • Deleted File Recovery: Analysed the drive for remnants of deleted PST files and metadata to determine if emails had been deleted intentionally or accidentally.
  • File Access History: Examined timestamps and access logs to track any unauthorized or suspicious access to the email files.
  • Corruption Analysis: Investigated whether corruption was caused by malware, hardware errors, or improper shutdowns.

Step 3: Data Recovery

  • Corrupted PST File Repair: Recovered and repaired the damaged PST files using proprietary tools.
  • Email Extraction: Extracted individual email messages and folders from the repaired PST files to ensure no data was overlooked.
  • Deleted Email Recovery: Retrieved emails from unallocated disk space and fragmented sectors.

Step 4: Validation and Reporting

  • Data Integrity Check: Ensured all recovered emails were complete and intact, with no missing attachments or metadata.
  • Forensic Report: Provided the client with a detailed forensic report, outlining:
    • How the emails were lost (accidental deletion and partial corruption due to improper shutdown).
    • A timeline of events based on file system metadata and access logs.

Challenges Faced

  1. Fragmented PST Files: Large Outlook files were heavily fragmented, requiring advanced reassembly techniques.
  2. Forensic Investigation: Determining the cause of data loss demanded meticulous analysis of file system metadata and access patterns.
  3. Sensitive Data: The case involved highly confidential information, necessitating secure handling and processing.

Outcome

Advanced Data Recovery successfully:

  • Recovered 100% of the lost emails, including attachments and metadata.
  • Delivered the repaired PST files in a secure, accessible format, enabling the law firm to resume operations immediately.
  • Provided a forensic report that confirmed no malicious tampering had occurred, offering peace of mind to the client.

Lessons Learned

  1. Backup Systems: Regular backups are critical for protecting essential data such as client emails and legal documents.
  2. Email Archiving: Implement an email archiving solution that allows easy retrieval of historical data without relying on external drives.
  3. Seek Professional Help for Forensic Cases: Forensic investigations require specialized expertise to ensure accuracy and integrity of findings.

Why Choose Advanced Data Recovery (London)?

  • Forensic Expertise: Skilled in conducting forensic investigations alongside data recovery for legal and sensitive cases.
  • Advanced Recovery Techniques: Proprietary tools for recovering and repairing corrupted email files.
  • Secure Handling: Certified processes ensure the confidentiality and integrity of recovered data.

This case highlights Advanced Data Recovery’s ability to not only recover critical data but also provide forensic insights, helping clients address complex scenarios involving sensitive information.

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