Over the years Binary Intelligence has had the opportunity to service the mobile and cell phone forensic field with logical and physical acquisitions. We started to research and develop a proven chip off forensic process about 3 years ago. We work with devices like Blackberry, Apple iPhone / iPod, Android, Tracfone, Samsung, LG and other feature style phones.Chip Off forensics is simply a more advanced form of cell phone forensics (mobile forensics). It does not require the phone to be operational. The phone can be broken, locked, water damaged, and even run over with a car.
With out a doubt Blackberry has been the most difficult device to master. RIM has utilized a thick, nasty, hard epoxy to secure the BGA memory chip to the motherboard. This epoxy is plastered on the sides of the chip, underneath the chip and even on top of the BGA chip. This epoxy makes performing chip off forensics difficult. The only proven way to remove this epoxy is to heat it and slowly remove it. Not only are you removing the epoxy from the sides and top of the chip, but you also must remove the epoxy from the pad portion of the BGA chip. These pads are very sensitive and even the SLIGHTEST scratch can sever connections and render the chip unreadable. The risk is higher with Blackberry devices, but the end result can really be extremely beneficial to any case or individual.
"Heat me Up Scottie"
Binary Intelligence has successfully removed, repaired, and read dozens and dozens of chips from an endless list of phone models. The amount of data recovered from Blackberry’s vary, but they seem to provide great results. One particular phone yielded over 20,000+ emails that were active and deleted.
Precision is Perfection
The knowledge and popularity of chip off forensics is really growing. We have been getting work not only from government agencies and law firms, but from private individuals as well. Some of these private individuals need our help finding closure after a close family member has passed away or they are in the middle of a sensitive divorce/ child custody battle and need the data for court. That’s how competitively priced Binary Intelligence is when it comes to chip off forensics.
Here is a list of phones we have done chip offs on:
Blackberry 8330, Blackberry 8350i, Blackberry 8520, Blackberry 9330, Blackberry 9630, Blackberry 9650 Bold, many more
Samsung SPH I917, Samsung SCH U740, Samsung SCH-U350, Samsung SCH R451C, many more
Motorola Droid, Motorola A855, Motorola V3A Razr, many more
Apple iPod Nano 4GB, Palm P101EWW, LG GPLG900GB (Tracfone), Sanyo SCP3820, Kyocera K612, Casio Commando, Olympus DP-10 Voice Recorder, and many more
As always this is a very destructive process and you must find a proven and experienced professional to assist you with any chip off forensic process. Feel free to call me and chat my direct extension at the office is x713.
After Chip Off
