Digital cameras revolutionised the way we take photos. Affordable cameras and no cost for negatives and development means that we now take thousands of photos each year, and most of them end up in our computers.

When things go wrong, and a hard disk crashes or the photos are deleted by mistake, you need a specialist to retrieve them for you. We have the knowledge and the appropriate software to retrieve lost photos.

But digital forensics are not just about retrieving photos.

Digital photos are in effect files like any other file in your computer. And these files contain "headers", data fields, that hold information about the picture. We can easily determine when the photo was taken, when it was altered and last accessed. We can also determine what camera (make and model) took the photo, and in many cases additional information like the distance, f/ratio, or the camera mode. All these pieces of information are important when you need evidence of the authenticity of a photo, the time it was taken and the camera. It is also useful in cases of copyright dispute. Basic info are available even by Windows Explorer. However sophisticated software can reveal information you never thought existed in your photos. For example, a photo taken by a GPS enabled mobile phone may include location information such as coordinated (longitude and latitude) which reveal the exact place on earth where this photo was taken. Longitude and Latitude can be entered in Google Maps or Google Earth and you can find the exact spot the picture was taken.

Image processing allow us to enhance information on the photo, clear fuzzy details and confirm identity of people, licence plates etc.

Last, but not least, the digital forensic investigator has to deal with the appalling task of investigating photos of child pornography, an all rising form of digital crime and deviant behaviour. Our investigating skills in cases like this, are paramount to bringing the perpetrators to justice.

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