IT Forensics · Drones

Forensic analysis of flight logs – systematically reconstructing stored flight data

During a flight, drones usually record flight logs continuously; these may contain not only basic status data but also timestamps for individual flight phases, thereby providing a timeline for the forensic reconstruction of an incident.

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The specific scope and format of these logs vary considerably depending on the manufacturer and model; for this reason, at the start of each investigation, we assess what data is actually available in each case and by what means it can be analysed.

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.

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We back up existing flight logs from drones and associated storage media, and systematically analyse the data contained therein – which can be processed using our tools – in order to document the chronological sequence of a flight in a traceable manner.

Typical areas of application

•Reconstruction of the chronological sequence of a flight
•Investigating crashes and loss of control
•Evidence of a flight at a specific time
•Inclusion of additional forensic data sources such as companion apps
•Judicial and non-judicial expert reports
•Assessment of drone incidents under insurance law

This is how a flight log analysis is carried out

Once the relevant storage medium has been securely backed up, any flight logs present are identified and analysed using our forensic tools, insofar as the relevant format permits. Any recognisable technical limitations associated with proprietary or undocumented formats are documented transparently.

Why is flight log analysis relevant in a forensic context?

Flight records often provide the most precise source of data available in terms of timing for reconstructing a flight and can therefore be crucial in determining the causes of accidents or providing evidence of a specific flight movement.

As not every format can be fully analysed, the actual scope of the analysis carried out is always documented transparently, rather than suggesting a supposedly complete picture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are flight logs stored in the same way for every drone?+
No, the scope and format vary considerably depending on the manufacturer and model, which is why this is assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Can deleted flight logs be recovered?+
To some extent, depending on the storage medium used and when the data is deleted.
What happens with proprietary formats that cannot be parsed?+
This is openly documented in the report as an existing technical limitation, rather than asserting a finding that cannot be substantiated.

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

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