REAL RESULTS FROM REAL DMV CLIENTS

Case Studies

Anonymized examples of digital forensics work performed for families and small businesses across Washington DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland. Names, exact locations, and identifying details changed to protect client privacy.

MOBILE FORENSICS • ARLINGTON, VA

Recovering Deleted Messages in a High-Conflict Divorce

A client in Arlington needed deleted WhatsApp and text message history from an iPhone for an ongoing custody matter. We performed an onsite advanced extraction and recovered over 4,000 messages that had been deleted months earlier. The evidence helped their attorney build a stronger case.

“I was terrified the data was gone forever. DMVForensics came to my house the same day and found everything.” — Client (Arlington, VA)
RANSOMWARE RECOVERY • BETHESDA, MD

Small Business Ransomware — Files Restored Without Paying

A small law firm in Bethesda was hit with ransomware that encrypted client files. We responded onsite within 90 minutes, created proper forensic images, and used advanced decryption techniques to recover 98% of their data without paying the ransom. We also helped them implement better backups.

“They saved our practice. We were back up and running in two days instead of weeks.” — Managing Partner
DATA RECOVERY • FAIRFAX, VA

Water-Damaged Laptop — Family Photos Saved

After a basement flood, a family in Fairfax had a laptop with 12 years of irreplaceable family photos and videos. The drive was heavily water-damaged. Using chip-off techniques in our mobile lab, we recovered over 40,000 photos and videos.

UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS • ROCKVILLE, MD

Stalkerware on a Teen's Phone — Full Forensic Audit

Parents in Rockville discovered their teenager's phone was compromised with stalkerware. We performed a full mobile forensic analysis onsite, identified the hidden app, preserved evidence of when it was installed and who had access, and provided a detailed report for potential law enforcement involvement.

EMPLOYEE MISCONDUCT • ALEXANDRIA, VA (Small Business)

Data Theft Investigation on Company Laptop

A small tech startup in Alexandria suspected an employee of stealing client data before leaving. We conducted an onsite computer forensics examination of the company laptop, recovered deleted USB transfer logs, email evidence, and browser history showing large file exfiltration. Our report was used in the subsequent legal action.

CLOUD ACCOUNT COMPROMISE • SILVER SPRING, MD (Home)

Unauthorized Access to Family Cloud Accounts & Financial Records

A family in Silver Spring discovered that someone had been accessing their iCloud and Google accounts for weeks, downloading years of family photos and viewing banking documents. We performed a coordinated onsite and remote forensic review, identified the exact devices and IP addresses used for unauthorized access, recovered deleted login history, and produced a timeline suitable for both the bank’s fraud department and local law enforcement in Montgomery County.

“They explained everything clearly and gave us exactly what the police and our bank needed.” — Homeowner, Silver Spring
POINT-OF-SALE BREACH • TYSONS, VA (Small Retail Business)

Payment Terminal Compromise at a Local Retailer

A small specialty retailer in Tysons Corner noticed unusual credit card chargebacks and suspected their POS system had been breached. We responded the same day, created forensic images of the terminals and backend server, identified malware that had been skimming card data for over two months, and documented the full scope of the compromise for the business’s cyber insurance claim and PCI compliance reporting.

ESTATE & PROBATE • WASHINGTON, DC (Family)

Recovering Locked Phone Data from a Deceased Parent

Siblings in Northwest DC needed access to their late father’s iPhone for estate administration and to locate important financial and medical records. The device was locked with an unknown passcode and had never been backed up to iCloud. We performed an advanced physical extraction in our mobile lab and recovered the majority of messages, photos, notes, and health data while maintaining full chain-of-custody documentation for the probate attorney.

“This gave us closure and the documents we needed to settle his affairs without months of delays.” — Family representative
UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS • WASHINGTON, DC (Government Contractor)

Suspected Insider Threat on a Cleared Contractor’s Laptop

A small government contracting firm in the District suspected an employee with clearance access had accessed and copied sensitive proposal documents before resignation. We conducted an onsite computer forensics examination, recovered deleted email drafts, USB activity logs, and cloud sync records. The findings supported an internal investigation and were shared (under proper protective order) with the client’s outside counsel.

“The speed and professionalism gave leadership confidence we could respond appropriately to our client agency.” — Principal, DC contractor
RANSOMWARE • ROCKVILLE, MD (Healthcare Practice)

Ransomware at a Small Medical Office — Patient Data Protected

A two-physician specialty practice in Rockville was hit with ransomware that encrypted their EHR-adjacent systems on a weekend. We responded within the hour, created full forensic images of the affected servers and workstations, confirmed no patient data had been exfiltrated, and assisted with safe restoration from verified backups. Our documentation helped the practice meet HIPAA breach assessment requirements without notification to patients.

“They treated our situation with the urgency and confidentiality our patients deserve.” — Office Manager, Rockville
FAMILY DISPUTE • ARLINGTON, VA (Home)

Recovering Communications from a Shared Family Computer

In a contentious estate matter, siblings in Arlington needed to locate communications and financial documents from a shared family desktop that had been used by the deceased for several years. We performed an onsite logical and file-carving extraction, recovered years of deleted emails, browser history, and spreadsheet versions that proved critical to equitable distribution discussions with the probate attorney.

“We finally had answers that helped the whole family move forward.” — Client, Arlington

Proper evidence handling from the first minute is what makes these outcomes possible.

Whether you are dealing with a family law matter, a small business incident, or a personal crisis, we document everything correctly so the evidence stands up.

Explore related guides: Ransomware First 30 MinutesDetect StalkerwareChain of Custody for FamiliesFor Attorneys: Referring CasesFull Resources Hub

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