IT Forensics · Drones

Forensic analysis of battery data and charging history – using the power supply as a forensic data source

Drone batteries often store their own usage data, such as charge and discharge cycles and timestamps for individual charging sessions, which can be retrieved independently of the drone itself.

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This data can provide additional temporal clues, for example regarding when a drone was last charged prior to a relevant flight.

Why LanCologne?

Since its foundation, LanCologne has specialised in professional IT forensics. Our staff have decades of experience in the field of information technology and assist companies, solicitors, private individuals and, on a regular basis, the courts in the technical investigation of complex digital matters.

The examination is, as a matter of principle, carried out exclusively on a forensic copy, a forensic image or a data source captured in a technically equivalent manner that preserves the integrity of the evidence. The original evidence remains unchanged and is stored in a manner that preserves its integrity.

Our services

We analyse available battery data and charging histories and use these as a supplementary source of temporal data for reconstructing drone usage.

Typical areas of application

•Reconstruction of loading and usage times
•Supplement to the overall chronological reconstruction of an incident
•Investigation into critical battery conditions as a cause of crashes
•Proof of operational readiness at a specific point in time
•Judicial and non-judicial expert reports
•Assessment of drone incidents under insurance law

How a battery data analysis works

Once the data has been backed up, the available battery data is read out, including documented charge and discharge cycles and the associated timestamps. These are cross-referenced with the reconstructed flight history to obtain a consistent overall picture over time.

Why is battery data analysis relevant in a forensic context?

Loading times can provide additional temporal reference points, independent of other systems, which can be used to verify the rest of the timeline.

A critically low battery level can also be considered as a possible cause of a crash or an automatically triggered return, and should be investigated accordingly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does each drone battery store its own usage history?+
This is true of many modern, so-called ‘smart’ batteries, but the range of functions is more limited in simpler models.
Can battery data be read out independently of the drone?+
In the case of smart batteries with their own electronics, this is possible in some instances, although each case must be assessed individually.
How is a low battery level investigated as a cause of a crash?+
By comparing the documented battery readings with the time and circumstances of the crash.

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LanCologne – IT Forensics Drones Cologne

Do you require a professional forensic investigation into „the forensic analysis of battery data and charging history"? LanCologne can assist you with the court-admissible preservation of digital evidence and the transparent analysis of relevant drone artefacts.

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