Digital Forensics is the recovery and analysis of evidence from phones, computers, storage and cloud accounts in a way that can be explained and checked later. Send one request and independent examiners reply with availability and prices.
Say which devices are involved and get digital forensics quotes.
Request a Private Investigation QuoteWhat It Involves
- Acquisition. A forensic copy of the device or account, with hashes recorded.
- Recovery. Deleted files, messages and history, where the device still holds them.
- Analysis. Timelines, communications, documents, locations and app activity.
- Chain of custody. A record of who handled the evidence and when.
Who It Helps
Attorneys in civil, labour, family and criminal matters, employers investigating misconduct on company devices, and individuals who need evidence from their own devices preserved.
What to Send First
- The type and number of devices or accounts.
- Who owns them and whether consent or a court order is in place.
- What you need to establish and any deadline.
Do not upload screenshots, intimate images, passwords or documents through the request form. The investigator will tell you what to keep and how to hand it over.
How It Works
- Authority check. Ownership, consent or a court order is confirmed.
- Acquisition. The device is imaged without changing the original.
- Analysis. The examiner searches the copy for what is relevant.
- Report. Findings, method and hash values are written up.
Findings and Reporting
A written forensic report and, where needed, an extraction file and affidavit. Expert testimony is quoted separately.
Limits
Devices are examined only with the owner's consent or legal authority. Encrypted, wiped or damaged devices may yield little. No examiner can guarantee recovery or that a court will admit the evidence.
Digital Forensics Services
Digital Forensics Prices
Ballpark prices so you can sanity-check a quotation.
| Item | Ballpark price |
|---|---|
| Mobile phone extraction and report, per device | R5,000 - R20,000 |
| Computer or laptop imaging and analysis, per device | R8,000 - R30,000 |
| Cloud or email account preservation | R3,500 - R15,000 |
| Examiner hourly rate | R800 - R2,500 per hour |
| Affidavit and expert testimony, per day | R8,000 - R25,000 |
Prices JUST UPDATED. Indicative ballpark figures in rand, rounded. They are compiled from prices published by South African investigation firms and typical market rates. They are not our prices or quotations, and no investigator is bound by them. Confirm VAT, travel and what each quotation includes.
Get prices for your devices rather than a range. Send one request, with no obligation.
Request a Private Investigation QuoteWhat Affects the Price
- Number and type of devices. Phones, laptops and servers each take different tools and time.
- Storage size. Large drives take longer to image and search.
- Locked or damaged devices. These need specialist work, if possible at all.
- Court work. Affidavits and testimony add cost.
Digital Forensics FAQs
Can deleted messages be recovered?
Sometimes. It depends on the device, the app, encryption and how much has been overwritten.
Can I have my spouse's phone examined?
Only with their consent or a court order. Examining someone else's device without authority can be a crime.
Will the evidence stand up in court?
A proper forensic process improves the chance, but admissibility is decided by the court.
How long does an examination take?
Simple extractions can take a few days. Larger or locked devices take longer.
Related Services
Request digital forensics quotes through Private Investigators South Africa and compare each examiner's method, reporting and turnaround.
Private Investigators South Africa is a referral and quote service. We do not carry out investigations and we do not employ investigators. Work is quoted and carried out by independent investigators, and your agreement is with the one you choose. Ask for a written quotation and proof of PSIRA registration before you pay a deposit. No investigator can promise a particular result or that evidence will be accepted by a court.
Digital Forensics. Describe what you need once and get the best quote, fast.
Request a Private Investigation QuoteGet the Best Quote, Fast
Keep it brief. Do not send ID documents, passwords, intimate images or evidence through this form. Your enquiry is passed only to investigators suited to the job, and you decide whether to go ahead.
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