What is vehicle systems forensics?
The Importance of Forensic Science in Vehicle Systems
At the intersection of automotive technology and criminal investigation lies a growing field that is revolutionizing the way we understand roadway incidents and vehicle-related crimes: vehicle systems forensics.
This meticulous procedure involves the extraction and analysis of a wide range of data and evidence from a vehicle, revealing a surprising amount of information that can be vital in serious crime and collision investigations across all sectors.
To address this challenge...
Do you know what data a modern vehicle records?
Methods for acquiring infotainment data
Methods for acquiring infotainment data vary depending on the module being interrogated. We always use non-destructive methods whenever possible; however, we offer a destructive method for consideration if it's the only way to verify the data. This requires removing memory chips from the printed circuit boards using a method known as "chip-off."
Using specialized hardware and software, we can download a vehicle's memory and extract
- A list of all paired devices with unique identifiers.
- Text messages (SMS).
- Call logs.
- Frequent locations (home, office, etc.).
- GPS coordinates and travel information.
- Event data.
- Gear shifts.
- Door open/close events.
- Hard acceleration events.
- Hard braking events.
- USB device connections.
- Phone connections.
Infotainment systems
Every modern car has at least one data source. The phone connects via Bluetooth and syncs data such as ID, contacts, call logs, and text messages. If GPS is present, data such as last destination, trips, and fuel are stored. The car's event logs also help establish activity.
Mercedes AMG C43
BMW 3 F 30
Citroen C3 Aircross
Apple car play / Android apps for cars and vehicles
Vehicle system forensics enters this uncharted territory, taking advantage of the vast amount of information these systems collect during normal vehicle operation. From speed and location to driver usage patterns, this data can shed light on critical events such as collisions or serious crimes.
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Vehicle Systems Forensics Experts
At Laby, we have the equipment, techniques, and expertise necessary to effectively access vehicle system data. We stand out for our ability to work with a wide variety of vehicle models and are committed to staying up-to-date with the latest technological advances in the field of Vehicle Systems Forensics.
Data Extraction and Analysis Tailored to Your Needs in Laby
Our services include data extraction and analysis from infotainment systems, collision event logs, and data from connected mobile devices, among others. We work closely with our clients to understand their specific needs and provide customized solutions tailored to their needs.
Accident Data
Today, most vehicles are equipped with an event data recording device. This mechanism captures the moments leading up to an accident or near-miss event, and can provide details such as:
- Were the seat belts connected?
- The speed of the car
- Were the brakes applied? If yes, when?
- What was the angle of the steering wheel?
- Was the car hit from behind or from the front? Or first from behind, then from the front? Or from the side? Etc.
- Certain driver inputs for approximately 5 seconds before a crash
- Vehicle Crash Severity Signature2
- Post-crash data, such as activation of an automatic collision notification (ACN) system
We can locate and extract the vehicle's event data recorder and download all available data using our industry-leading equipment and skills.
This data can be invaluable to accident investigators and insurance companies in helping determine exactly what happened and who, if anyone, was responsible, especially in cases where there are no witnesses or witness statements conflict.
The aforementioned information and event recorder data can often provide access to information not available in any other way. This can be especially useful when combined with cell phone data extracted from drivers.
By utilizing all of these valuable data resources, we can build a clearer picture than ever before of exactly what happened during an accident.
The Process
1. Initial Classification
We begin our process when you provide us with your vehicle registration or vehicle identification number (VIN). Using this key information, we develop a Forensic Investigation of Vehicle Systems (IFSV) strategy based on our detailed knowledge of the systems present in the vehicle and our specialized experience in this field. This strategy guides our actions for data collection.
2. Inspection
On-site inspection: We implement our strategy, going to the place where the vehicle is located to carry out an IFSV inspection. During this process, we maximize data collection opportunities, rigorously following the quality management protocols we have established to contribute to the data collection process. The depth of the on-site inspection varies depending on the make, model and specifications of the vehicle, as well as the need to forensically recover components for off-site analysis.
Laboratory inspection: We accept modules provided by our clients that have been recovered from a vehicle for subsequent analysis in our laboratory. All inspection procedures are meticulously documented and recorded in an internal application with date and time of registration to meet the standards required in this forensic activity.
3. Conclusions
Report of Findings: Following data collection, both internal and external, a detailed summary of the findings will be prepared and presented to relevant parties. This will be done following established procedures, thus guaranteeing transparency and integrity in the forensic analysis process.
Frequently Asked Questions About Forensics
Vehicle forensics is a discipline that is responsible for analyzing and recovering data from the electronic systems and multiple control units (GPS, Bluetooth, engine unit, brakes, airbags, etc.) of vehicles, in order to investigate and clarify accidents, fraud, and other incidents related to automobiles.
- Accident investigation: Determine the causes and circumstances of traffic accidents.
- Insurance Fraud: Detect and analyze fraud related to insurance claims.
- Vehicle theft: Recover and analyze data to investigate vehicle thefts.
- Warranty claims: Verify compliance with warranty terms and detect abuses.
- Performance analysis: Study vehicle performance to identify mechanical or electronic failures.
La forénsica de vehículos abarca:
- Análisis de sistemas electrónicos: Diagnóstico de componentes electrónicos y módulos de control del vehículo.
- Recuperación de datos: Recuperación, extracción y análisis de datos de sistemas como el EDR (Event Data Recorder), GPS, Bluetooth, y otros sensores.
- Reconstrucción de accidentes: Uso de datos para recrear la secuencia de eventos en un accidente.
- Verificación de manipulación: Detectar alteraciones o manipulaciones en los sistemas del vehículo.
- Consultoría legal: Provisión de informes y testimonios en procesos judiciales relacionados con incidentes vehiculares.
- Extracción de datos: Utilización de herramientas especializadas para acceder y descargar datos de los sistemas del vehículo.
- Análisis de EDR: Evaluación de datos del Event Data Recorder, que puede incluir información sobre velocidad, frenado, uso del cinturón de seguridad, entre otros.
- Evaluación de GPS: Análisis de datos de localización para trazar rutas y movimientos del vehículo.
- Revisión de sistemas de infoentretenimiento: Recuperación de datos de llamadas, mensajes y navegación.
- Análisis de CAN Bus: Monitoreo del bus de comunicaciones del vehículo para entender las interacciones entre diferentes sistemas.
- Inspección del lugar del accidente: Recopilación de evidencia física y digital en el sitio del incidente.
- Recuperación de datos del vehículo: Extracción de datos de módulos como el EDR y otros sensores relevantes.
- Fotografías y videos: Documentación visual del accidente y daños en el vehículo.
- Entrevistas y testimonios: Recolección de declaraciones de testigos y ocupantes del vehículo.
- Análisis de telemetría: Estudio de los datos telemétricos para entender el comportamiento del vehículo antes, durante y después del accidente.
- Experiencia y certificaciones: Asegurarse de que los profesionales estén certificados y tengan experiencia en análisis forense vehicular.
- Tecnología actualizada: Verificar que se utilicen herramientas y técnicas avanzadas y actualizadas.
- Imparcialidad: Seleccionar expertos que mantengan una postura objetiva y neutral.
- Reputación y referencias: Revisar la reputación de los profesionales y buscar referencias de clientes anteriores.
- Capacidad de comunicación: El perito debe ser capaz de presentar y explicar sus hallazgos de manera clara y comprensible.
- Precisión en la investigación: Proporciona un análisis detallado y preciso de los datos del vehículo.
- Resolución de disputas: Ayuda a resolver disputas legales y de seguros de manera eficiente y con respaldo técnico.
- Prevención de fraudes: Identificación de reclamaciones fraudulentas y manipulación de datos.
- Obtención de evidencias objetivas: Obtención de pruebas electrónicas que son difíciles de refutar.
- Mejora de la seguridad: Contribuye a mejorar la seguridad vehicular mediante la identificación de fallos y áreas de mejora en los sistemas del vehículo.
