Forensic Telecommunications Services is first UK lab to get ISO 17025 accreditation for its technique of recovering deleted data from mobile phones, the Blackberry and the iPhone, which works even if the handset is pass-coded.

PRESS DISPENSARY - Tuesday, Jul 13, 2010 - Sevenoaks, Kent - The UK-based digital forensics company, Forensic Telecommunications Services (FTS) Ltd. [http://www.forensicts.co.uk], announces today that it has been successfully awarded accreditation to ISO 17025:2005 - and, in a UK first, the laboratory has been assessed and granted accreditation for its specialist techniques used in physically recovering deleted data from mobile phones, mobile phone memory chips, Blackberry* handsets and the Apple iPhone*, as well as the more common standard data recovery techniques.

The ISO 17025:2005 accreditation is the same international standard that is a legal requirement for forensic laboratories providing DNA evidence to the National DNA Database in the UK.

Of particular note is the inclusion of the leading edge forensic techniques of Physical Data Acquisition and "Chip-Off" digital forensics, where the data storage memory chip is removed from the device's electronics board and the data extracted and translated directly. This innovative forensic technique, which can also be performed on Blackberry devices, completely bypasses the handset lock codes and any encryption that may be being used.

The importance of this vital data extraction technique, used mainly for deleted data recovery, was highlighted recently when it was employed by Durham Constabulary in the Ashleigh Hall murder investigation. The deleted mobile phone evidence recovered by FTS contributed in part to the guilty plea by - and life sentencing of - the Facebook sex stalker Peter Chapman.

FTS is also the first completely independent and dedicated digital forensics laboratory in the UK to complete the accreditation process. The full range of Mobile Phone Forensics services commonly used by law enforcement agencies are all included in the accreditation schedule.

What this accreditation means for police and public sector customers is that alongside a cost effective forensic service, Chief Officers can be confident they are using an independently assessed and accredited process for gathering mobile phone evidence, thereby reducing their current risk in this very important area of forensic investigation.

FTS managing director, Shaun Hipgrave, said: "I am exceptionally proud of the whole Phone and Hi-Tech forensics team and their accomplishment in obtaining this prestigious accreditation. It is testimony to our commitment to advanced forensic research and development that FTS is the first UK laboratory whose accredited services include physical memory extraction - or 'HEX Dumps' as they are sometimes known - chip removal forensics and the very latest iPhone extraction methods.

"The Forensic Science Regulator has identified ISO 17025:2005 as a foundation standard for forensic science in the UK and we can now evidence that a small dedicated team can achieve the regulator's standard requirements, while still operating in the exceptionally cost sensitive arena of public sector service providers."

FTS was an early adopter of ISO 17025:2005 in digital forensics, having started this project in January 2008. The company is intending to extend its accreditation scope to embrace its other digital forensics services, including Cell Site Analysis, with all services being included by the end of 2012.

* Blackberry is the registered trademark of Research In Motion, Limited. iPhone is the trademark of Apple, Inc.

Notes for editors

More about Forensic Telecommunications Services (FTS)

FTS is a world leader in the extraction, analysis and presentation of data from mobile telephones, cellular networks and all forms of computing and mobile communications technology.

FTS delivers ISO 17025:2005 accredited specialist technical services and unique data extraction tools to a wide range of security services, police forces, legal services and corporate clients in the UK and all over the world. FTS' business focuses on mobile phone and computer forensics, cell site analysis and investigator training. We are the world leader in the extraction and translation of deleted mobile phone handset data.

FTS uses in-house developed software for SIM card forensics and iPhone forensics imaging. This software, along with our entire ISO accredited business systems, complies in every way with both ACPO and international rules regarding the preservation, production and handling of digital evidence.

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