Learn Mobile Forensics: The Complete Guide from Extraction to Courtroom Testimony

by William Oettinger

Overview

Practical guidance on evidence acquisition, from physical images to logical backups, using open-source tools and leading commercial solutions

Key Features

• Delve into iOS and Android internals, grasping file systems, database formats, and app data storage for deep mobile forensics understanding
• Master advanced decoding for social media, messaging, email, and geolocation apps
• Reinforce skills with hands-on exercises for confident, court-ready reports

Book Description

Unlock the secrets hidden within smartphones and tablets with "Learn Mobile Forensics," an indispensable guide providing end-to-end coverage of techniques and tools for extracting and analysing evidentiary data from iOS and Android devices. This practical handbook is designed for forensic examiners, computer security professionals, researchers, and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of mobile internals. Distinguishing itself from other resources, this book focuses on decoding and extracting artifacts from mobile applications. It goes beyond surface-level overviews, offering advanced instructions for interpreting database files and artifacts associated with popular apps. The guide also dedicates an entire chapter to critical legal and ethical considerations, providing clear guidance on maintaining evidentiary integrity and handling personal data ethically. Whether you are assessing WhatsApp message databases or extracting geolocation tracks from Facebook, "Mobile Forensics" equips you with specialized techniques to uncover crucial app forensic evidence. Stay ahead in the evolving field of mobile forensics with this comprehensive and practical guide.

What you will learn

• Explore iOS and Android internals, understanding file systems and app data storage for mobile forensics
• Develop investigative skills through hands-on exercises for court-ready analysis reports
• Navigate legal and ethical considerations, ensuring guidelines adherence in mobile forensics
• Create investigation reports that document forensic findings and procedures comprehensively for legal proceedings
• Acquire specialized techniques for interpreting database files and artifacts from diverse mobile applications

Who this book is for

This book is for forensic examiners with basic experience in mobile forensics or open-source solutions for mobile forensics. Computer security professionals, researchers, or anyone looking to gain a deeper understanding of mobile internals will also find this book useful. Understanding digital forensic practices will be helpful to grasp the concepts covered in the book more effectively.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781835889602
Publisher:	Packt Publishing
Publication date:	01/26/2026
Product dimensions:	75.00(w) x 92.50(h) x (d)

About the Author

William Oettinger is a veteran technical trainer and investigator. He is a retired police officer with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and a retired CID agent with the United States Marine Corps. He is a professional with over 20 years of experience in academic, local, military, federal, and international law enforcement organizations, where he acquired his multifaceted experience in IT, digital forensics, security operations, law enforcement, criminal investigations, policy, and procedure development. He has earned an MSc from Tiffin University, Ohio. When not working, he likes to spend time with his wife and his three miniature schnauzers.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

1. Introduction to Mobile Devices
2. Wireless Networks and Connectivity
3. Mobile Forensics Analysis Process
4. Mobile Forensics Acquisition Process
5. Mobile vs. Computer Forensics
6. Understanding Mobile Databases
7. iOS Hardware and File Systems
8. Acquiring Evidence from iOS Devices
9. Analyzing Evidence from iOS Devices
10. Android Hardware and File Systems
11. Acquiring Evidence from Android Devices
12. Analyzing Evidence from Android Devices
13. Ethics for Mobile Forensic Experts
14. Creating Investigation Reports