Drone Forensic Investigation
Drone forensics is a branch of digital forensics relating to recovery of digital evidence or data from a drone under forensically sound conditions. The phrase drone forensics (UAV) usually refers to drones; however, it can also relate to any wireless remote controlled UAV that has both internal memory and communication ability, including Cameras, WiFI, GPS, and 3G or 4G connectivity. Digitpol is an accredited forensic examination agency, Digitpol conducts examination on all types drones and analyse data from drones.
Drones and all types of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV's) are proven to be valuable sources of information in the majority of criminal investigations. Parties in litigation seeking to prove wrongdoing often find important evidence, clues and traces by analysing activities stored on drones, including flight routes and their creation and landing locations as well as photos the drone has taken, whom has operated it, the controller ID and metadata.
Recover Forensic Data From Drones
UAV data recovery is a service provided by DIGITPOL to public agencies, we can recover data and assist agencies with their cases. DIGITPOL is also developing tools to detect drones in flight. A captured drone will contain valuable data such as flight points, where the drone took off from and meta data as to whom may have controlled the drone.
What Data is Recoverable
- Serial number of the drone aircraft and some internal components such as MAC, IMEI, & IMSI
- Version numbers for firmware
- Metadata from operations such as launching, waypoint logs, GPS available or unavailable during flight.
- Geo location information for critical locations – launching, landing, and home or return location
- Full flight path information
- Wifi Data | SSID | MAC | I.P
- Bluetooth | Paired devices | Timestamp
- Take off location
Monitoring Drones
In addition to the forensic examination of drones, Digitpol has also developed an in-house sensor to monitor drone activity in-flight.
Digitpol’s Drone Detection System is a comprehensive solution designed to detect and monitor drones operating overhead or within restricted zones. Engineered for fixed or mobile deployment, the system combines robust hardware with a powerful cloud-based platform to deliver real-time, wide-area surveillance of drone activity.
When deployed in multiple locations, the detectors form a secure mesh network, dramatically increasing coverage and detection accuracy across large perimeters such as airports, critical infrastructure, borders, or private estates.
At its core, the system passively monitors radio frequencies commonly used by drones including telemetry, control signals, and video downlinks across bands such as 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz. Advanced signal analysis enables identification of drone activity without interference or jamming.
