When Drones Become Evidence

Why does Drone Forensics even matter?

Drones, also known as UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles), have fascinated us since childhood, and today, they’ve evolved into powerful tools used across various domains. Today, these unmanned aerial vehicles are everywhere, delivering packages, filming movies, monitoring crops, and unfortunately, sometimes being used for illegal activities. When such drone-related crimes occur, investigators must follow a structured digital forensics process to extract crucial information about the incident and the individuals involved.

However, there’s a noticeable gap when it comes to open-source digital forensic tools. The few tools available online often come with limitations either they are paid, lack user-friendly interfaces, offer minimal functionality, or don’t provide clear documentation or usage guidelines, making practical drone forensics a challenge.

In our previous blog, we covered the foundational aspects of drones, their types, and the legal landscape surrounding them in brief: Decoding Drone.

Why Are Drone Crimes Exploding?

Modern drones are essentially flying computers connected to the internet, which means they inherit all the security vulnerabilities of connected devices, plus some unique ones.

Take the communication link between a drone and its controller. Most drones use standard Wi-Fi or proprietary radio frequencies to stay connected. A skilled attacker can intercept these signals, potentially taking control of the drone mid-flight.

The mobile apps that control drones present another vulnerability. These apps often store flight logs, user credentials, and even live video feeds on the smartphone. If someone gains access to the phone, they essentially have access to the drone’s entire operational history.

Cloud storage adds another layer of complexity. Many drone manufacturers automatically upload flight data to their servers. While this provides backup for users, it also creates a treasure trove of evidence for investigators, if they know how to access it legally.

Common Threats

• GPS spoofing, where false GPS signals trick a drone into believing it’s in a different location than it actually is, potentially diverting it or causing it to crash. Imagine a drone programmed to deliver a medical supply to a specific hospital, but a cyber attacker sends manipulated GPS signals, making the drone fly off course to a completely different, unauthorized location. This can have serious consequences, especially in critical operations.
  

• Signal jamming, which disrupts the communication link between the drone and its controller, leading to a loss of control. This can be used to bring down a drone or prevent it from completing its mission. For instance, if a drone is conducting surveillance for law enforcement, an attacker could jam its signal, effectively blinding the operation.
  

• Drones collect vast amounts of sensitive data through their cameras and sensors, which, if not properly secured, can be intercepted. A notable example involved hackers reportedly compromising the systems of a US financial services company in October 2022 by landing DJI drones on their roof. These drones deployed Wi-Fi Pineapple devices to capture network credentials, allowing access to internal networks and the theft of sensitive data. This illustrates how drones can be used as a physical entry point for cyberattacks on ground systems. Source: Tracking, Hacking and Attacking: The Game of Drones of Hovering Cybersecurity Risks, The Cyber Express

How Drone Forensics Differs from Digital Forensics?

While drone forensics shares core principles with traditional digital forensics, it presents unique challenges:

Traditional Digital Forensics:

• Single device analysis

• Standardized connection methods

• Predictable data formats

Drone Forensics:

• Multiple interconnected systems (drone, controller, mobile app, cloud)

• Proprietary connection protocols

• Aviation-specific data interpretation (flight logs, GPS coordinates, altitude data)

A fundamental step is the forensically sound acquisition of data. This means collecting data in a way that is repeatable, authentic, and preserves its integrity, adhering to guidelines like those from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). However, this isn’t always straightforward. Drones vary widely in how they connect, some use Wi-Fi, others use direct USB cables, or even protocols like FTP or Telnet. Permissions also differ by brand, often limiting access to only media folders or specific system files. This means investigators often need to adapt their methods for each drone model.

INCIDENT OCCURS
        ↓
SECURE THE SCENE
        ↓
IDENTIFY DRONE MODEL & TYPE
        ↓
DOCUMENT PHYSICAL EVIDENCE
        ↓
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│               DATA ACQUISITION                      │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ • Drone Hardware Analysis                           │
│ • Mobile App Extraction                             │
│ • Controller Data Recovery                          │
│ • Cloud Storage Access                              │
│ • Network Traffic Analysis                          │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
        ↓
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│               DATA ANALYSIS                         │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ • Flight Log Reconstruction                         │
│ • GPS Track Analysis                                │
│ • Media File Recovery                               │
│ • Metadata Examination                              │
│ • Timeline Creation                                 │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
        ↓
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│               EVIDENCE CORRELATION                  │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ • Cross-reference all data sources                  │
│ • Establish ownership patterns                      │
│ • Verify authenticity                               │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
        ↓
REPORT GENERATION & LEGAL PRESENTATION

Key Differences from Traditional Digital Forensics:

• Multi-system approach: Unlike analyzing a single device, drone forensics requires examining multiple interconnected systems simultaneously

• Time-sensitive evidence: Flight data can be automatically overwritten, making a rapid response crucial

• Aviation-specific interpretation: Understanding flight patterns, altitude restrictions, and navigation data requires specialized knowledge.

The Four Big Questions Every Drone Investigation Must Answer

When investigators encounter a drone in a criminal case, they’re essentially asking four fundamental questions. Each one requires different techniques and tools to answer properly.

Question 1: How Do We extract the data?

Every drone store data differently. A consumer DJI drone might save everything to a removable SD card, making data extraction relatively straightforward. But a professional-grade drone might encrypt its internal storage or require specialized cables and software to access.

For example, accessing data from a DJI Phantom requires connecting to specific test points on the circuit board, while a Parrot drone might allow investigators to download files through a simple USB connection. Some drones use proprietary formats that need custom software to interpret, while others store data in standard formats that any forensic tool can read.

The challenge gets bigger when dealing with damaged drones. A crashed drone might have corrupted storage or broken connections, requiring investigators to repair or bypass damaged components before they can extract any data.

Question 2: Can We Recover the Flight History?

Flight data is like a drone’s digital diary. It records where the drone went, how high it flew, how fast it moved, and what it was doing at any given moment. This information is crucial for understanding what happened during an incident.

Most drones continuously log GPS coordinates, altitude changes, battery levels, and sensor readings. A typical flight log might show that a drone took off from a specific address, flew to a particular location, hovered for ten minutes (perhaps while recording video), and then returned home. This data can place a suspect at a crime scene or prove that a drone was used for surveillance.

However, not all drones store this information in the same way. Some keep detailed logs for months, while others only retain data for recent flights. Some encrypt the data, while others store it in plain text files. Understanding each drone’s data retention policies is crucial for investigators.

Question 3: Can We Recover Photos and Videos?

Visual evidence from drone cameras often provides the most compelling proof in criminal cases. Unlike flight logs, which require technical interpretation, photos and videos are immediately understandable to judges and juries.

Most drones store media files on removable SD cards, making recovery straightforward if the card is intact. However, investigators often encounter challenges when users have deleted files or when storage devices are damaged. Standard digital forensics techniques can recover deleted files, but the process requires understanding how each drone’s file system works.

Metadata embedded in photos and videos provides additional evidence. This information includes timestamps, GPS coordinates, camera settings, and sometimes even details about the drone model and serial number. A single photo might reveal not just what was recorded, but exactly when and where it was taken.

Question 4: Who Actually Owns This Drone?

Proving ownership might seem straightforward, but it’s often the most challenging aspect of drone investigations. Unlike a smartphone with a clear user account, drones might be shared among multiple people or registered under false names.

The investigation typically starts with the drone’s registration information. Most countries require drone registration, creating official records that link devices to specific individuals. However, registration databases only show the official owner, not necessarily the person who was operating the drone during an incident.

Mobile apps provide another avenue for establishing ownership. Most drone controllers connect to smartphone apps that require user accounts. These apps often store personal information, flight histories, and even social media connections that can help identify the actual operator.

Ground control stations, the devices used to fly drones, also contain valuable ownership evidence. Controllers might store user preferences, frequently visited locations, and operational patterns that create unique behavioral fingerprints. If you want to read in detail, then read here. (Click)

The Technical Reality of Drone Data Recovery

Extracting data from drones requires understanding that each model is essentially a unique computer system. A DJI Mavic might run a Linux-based operating system with encrypted storage, while a consumer toy drone might use simple flash memory that’s easily accessible.

The process often starts with identifying the drone’s storage systems. Most drones have multiple storage locations: onboard memory for flight data, removable cards for media files, and sometimes cloud storage for backups. Investigators must check each location systematically to ensure they don’t miss crucial evidence.

Connection methods vary dramatically between models. Some drones connect via standard USB cables, allowing investigators to use familiar forensic tools. Others require proprietary software or even physical modification to access internal storage. In extreme cases, investigators might need to desolder memory chips and read them directly using specialized equipment.

The analysis phase involves interpreting the recovered data. Flight logs might be stored in proprietary binary formats that require custom software to decode. GPS coordinates might use different reference systems or coordinate formats. Understanding these technical details is crucial for accurate analysis.

When Mobile Apps Hold the Key

The smartphone apps that control drones often contain more accessible evidence than the drones themselves. These apps typically store comprehensive flight histories, user account information, and cached media files that might not be available elsewhere.

For example, the DJI GO app stores detailed flight logs that include GPS tracks, altitude profiles, and even live video feeds. This information remains on the phone even if the drone is damaged or destroyed.

Similarly, the app might contain user credentials, social media connections, and communication logs that help identify the operator.

However, mobile app forensics requires understanding each app’s data storage methods. Some apps store information in standard database formats, while others use proprietary encryption or cloud synchronization that complicates recovery.

Real-World Challenges, Where Things Go Wrong

Drone investigations face unique practical challenges that don’t exist with traditional digital forensics.

Environmental Factors:

• Weather damage before evidence collection

• Crashes in remote or dangerous locations

• Battery depletion, causing data loss

Technical Challenges:

• Automatic data overwriting after time periods

• Cloud storage deletion when accounts close

• Proprietary encryption methods

Legal Complexities:

• Traditional search warrants may not cover cloud storage

• Multi-jurisdiction issues with flight paths

• Privacy concerns with aerial surveillance data

Making Sense of It All

The key to effective drone investigations lies in taking a comprehensive approach. Rather than focusing solely on the drone hardware, investigators must consider all potential evidence sources: the aircraft itself, ground control systems, mobile applications, cloud storage, and even network traffic logs.

As drones become more sophisticated and widespread, the need for specialized forensics capabilities will only increase. The challenge for law enforcement is developing these capabilities while maintaining rigorous standards for evidence collection and legal compliance. It requires understanding both the technical aspects of drone systems and the legal framework governing their use.

For investigators entering this field, the message is clear: drone forensics requires continuous learning and adaptation. The technology evolves rapidly, and forensics techniques must evolve alongside it. Success depends on understanding not just current capabilities but also anticipating future developments in drone technology and their implications for digital investigation.

So, see ya next Thursday with the same enthusiasm!!