What is vehicle systems forensics?
It is a process by which a wide range of data and information is extracted from vehicles, which can be used in collision and serious crime investigations. At Laby, we offer specialized services to support our clients in obtaining and analyzing vehicle data.
Our team at Laby is committed to providing our clients with comprehensive investigative support. We help achieve your objectives by developing specific strategies, securing and preserving relevant evidence, carrying out thorough investigations and producing detailed and timely reports.
The Importance of Forensic Science in Vehicle Systems
To address this challenge...
We offer you the necessary experience and technology, providing a comprehensive service that helps resolve critical cases and provides answers to key questions about vehicle incidents.
Do you know what data a modern vehicle records?
Methods to acquire infotainment data
Using specialized hardware and software, we can download a vehicle's memory and extract
- A list of all paired devices with unique IDs.
- Text messages (SMS).
- Call logs.
- Frequent locations (home, office, etc.).
- GPS coordinates and travel information.
- Event data.
- Gear changes.
- Opening/closing of doors.
- Harsh acceleration events.
- Sudden braking events.
- Connecting USB devices.
- Phone connection.
Infotainment systems
Every modern car has at least one data source. The phone connects via Bluetooth and data such as ID, contacts, call logs and SMS are synchronized. If there is GPS, 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 knowledge necessary to access data from vehicle systems effectively. We are noted 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 the extraction and analysis of data from infotainment systems, crash event logs, data from mobile devices connected to the vehicle, among others. We work closely with our clients to understand their specific needs and provide customized solutions that fit their requirements.
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 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 information and event recorder data mentioned above can often provide access to information not available any other way. This can be especially useful when combined with mobile phone data extracted from drivers.
Using all of these valuable data resources, we can build a clearer picture than ever 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 forensic analysis memories
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.
- Analysis of electronic systems: Diagnosis of electronic components and vehicle control modules.
- Data recovery: Recovery, extraction and analysis of data from systems such as EDR (Event Data Recorder), GPS, Bluetooth, and other sensors.
- Accident reconstruction: Using data to recreate the sequence of events in an accident.
- Tampering verification: Detect alterations or manipulations in the vehicle systems.
- Legal consulting: Provision of reports and testimonies in judicial proceedings related to vehicular incidents.
- Data extraction: Use of specialized tools to access and download data from vehicle systems.
- EDR Analysis: Evaluation of data from the Event Data Recorder, which may include information on speed, braking, seat belt use, among others.
- GPS Assessment: Analysis of location data to map routes and vehicle movements.
- Review of infotainment systems: Recovery of call, message and navigation data.
- CAN Bus Analysis: Monitoring of the vehicle’s communications bus to understand the interactions between different systems.
- Accident site inspection: Collection of physical and digital evidence at the incident site.
- Vehicle data recovery: Extraction of data from modules such as the EDR and other relevant sensors.
- Photographs and videos: Visual documentation of the accident and damage to the vehicle.
- Interviews and testimonies: Collection of statements from witnesses and vehicle occupants.
- Telemetry analysis: Study of telemetric data to understand the behavior of the vehicle before, during and after the accident.
- Experience and certifications: Ensure professionals are certified and experienced in vehicle forensics.
- Updated technology: Verify that advanced and updated tools and techniques are used.
- Impartiality: Select experts who maintain an objective and neutral position.
- Reputation and references: Review the reputation of professionals and look for references from previous clients.
- Communication skills: The expert must be able to present and explain his or her findings in a clear and understandable manner.
- Research Accuracy: Provides detailed and accurate analysis of vehicle data.
- Dispute Resolution: Helps resolve legal and insurance disputes efficiently and with technical support.
- Fraud Prevention: Identification of fraudulent claims and data manipulation.
- Obtaining objective evidence: Obtaining electronic evidence that is difficult to refute.
- Safety improvement: Contributes to improving vehicle safety by identifying failures and areas for improvement in vehicle systems.
