Elusive Data digital forensics training
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Mobile Device Forensics Training

  • Foundational Level
  • 3 Days / 24 Hours
  • 24 CPE
  • Updated 2026

Build a solid foundation in mobile device forensics, from understanding acquisition methods to examining the data behind iOS and Android devices. This hands-on course develops practical skills for investigating mobile file systems, app databases and system logs, helping you identify, extract and interpret digital evidence. Learn through guided exercises and realistic forensic scenarios, with techniques you can apply directly to mobile investigations.

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Mobile Device Forensics — Course Overview Elusive Data

Why this course

Understand the evidence behind the extraction.

Build confidence across the complete mobile forensic process, from acquisition to interpretation.

Mobile platforms keep changing, and so do the challenges investigators face. Learn how acquisition methods, device security and underlying data affect what you can recover and explain from iOS and Android devices.

Understand acquisition methods

Know how extraction choices affect the evidence available.

Work across iOS and Android

Understand the challenges of both mobile ecosystems.

Look beyond tool output

Examine underlying artifacts and validate interpretations.

Handle difficult scenarios

Develop understanding of locked, encrypted and complex devices.

What you take away

Practical mobile forensic skills for handling, examining and interpreting device evidence with greater confidence.

The learning experience

Learn the methods. Apply them to real evidence.

Move from core mobile forensic principles into practical investigative challenges.

Build the foundations

Understand devices, acquisition methods and forensic handling.

Practice on mobile evidence

Work with iOS and Android data in guided forensic labs.

Progress to advanced challenges

Explore complex acquisitions, device security and analysis beyond automated output.

Training approach

Instructor-led, scenario-based learning with hands-on exercises and realistic mobile forensic data.

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What you'll learn

Understand how mobile evidence is acquired and examined.

Build the technical knowledge to work confidently with iOS and Android forensic evidence.

Learn the key stages of a mobile investigation, from preserving a device to selecting an acquisition method and analyzing the data recovered. Understand the techniques, their limitations and how to assess the resulting evidence.

Preserve and handle devices

Learn identification, seizure, preservation and chain-of-custody considerations for mobile devices, SIM cards and external media.

Understand acquisition methods

Differentiate logical, file system and physical extraction techniques and their investigative applications.

Work with device security

Explore BFU and AFU states, locked or encrypted devices, and acquisition considerations across iOS and Android.

Examine app and system data

Interpret application databases, system logs and third-party app artifacts beyond standard decoded reports.

Interpret investigative findings

Examine timelines, usage patterns and potentially recoverable deleted artifacts within acquired mobile data.

Learning outcome

Understand the full path from acquiring mobile evidence to interpreting what the data can support.

Technical topics

Explore the techniques behind complex mobile acquisitions.

Go deeper into the methods and device conditions that shape forensic access.

Acquisition Logical and file system

Understand what different extraction approaches can provide.

Acquisition Physical extraction

Explore physical acquisition concepts and their practical limitations.

Device security BFU and AFU

Understand device states and their impact on accessible evidence.

Advanced methods Agent-based extraction

Examine how agent-based acquisition fits into mobile forensic workflows.

Chip-Off, JTAG and ISP methods

Explore hardware-based acquisition approaches, when they may be considered and the technical challenges they introduce.

Analysis beyond decoded output

Learn how manual artifact inspection and validation support the interpretation of mobile data when automated tools provide incomplete or unclear results.

Practical perspective

Develop an informed approach to choosing and evaluating mobile forensic acquisition and analysis methods.

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Hands-on training

Work with the evidence, not just the theory.

Practice mobile acquisition and analysis through realistic investigative scenarios.

Work through guided exercises involving iOS and Android evidence, from preserving and acquiring data to examining the artifacts it contains. Apply forensic methods to mobile datasets and learn how to interpret what you find.

Handle and acquire evidence

Practice device handling, preservation and mobile acquisition workflows.

Examine mobile artifacts

Investigate application data, databases and system logs from mobile devices.

Investigate user activity

Connect communications, device artifacts and usage patterns to investigative questions.

Assess forensic findings

Interpret results, consider acquisition limitations and validate underlying data.

Practical outcome

Experience working through mobile forensic tasks using realistic evidence and investigative scenarios.

Training experience

Guided exercises. Real investigative decisions.

Understand the methods through instructor-led demonstrations and practical application.

Instructor demonstrations

See how forensic techniques are applied and understand the reasoning behind each approach.

Scenario-based labs

Work through practical exercises involving mobile acquisitions, application artifacts and forensic data.

Interpretation and discussion

Examine the meaning and limitations of findings, with opportunities to ask questions during live training.

Learning approach

Practical, instructor-led training designed to connect mobile forensic methods with investigative work.

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Who this course is for

Build your mobile forensic capabilities.

For professionals who handle, investigate or interpret mobile device evidence.

Whether mobile evidence is already part of your work or you're looking to develop more specialized skills, this course gives you a structured approach to forensic acquisition and analysis across iOS and Android.

Digital forensic examiners

Strengthen your ability to acquire, examine and interpret evidence from mobile devices.

Law enforcement investigators

Build practical knowledge of mobile evidence handling, acquisition and investigative analysis.

DFIR and security professionals

Develop skills for working with mobile devices and application data in investigative contexts.

Technical and private investigators

Expand your understanding of mobile acquisition methods, artifacts and evidence interpretation.

Who benefits

Professionals who need to understand mobile evidence and work more effectively across forensic tools and device platforms.

Prerequisites and experience

No previous mobile forensic experience required.

Start with the fundamentals and progress toward more complex acquisition and analysis scenarios.

The course introduces the core principles step by step, then builds on them through practical exercises. It is suitable for professionals developing their mobile forensic expertise, as well as those looking to strengthen existing skills.

No specialist mobile knowledge needed

Prior experience with mobile forensic tools or advanced extraction techniques is not required.

General technical familiarity helps

Basic familiarity with computers, mobile devices and digital evidence is useful.

Relevant across different tools

Learn forensic principles that can be applied alongside the tools your team already uses.

Training level

Foundational training with exposure to advanced mobile forensic topics, guided by an experienced instructor.

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Instructor, formats & certificate

Learn mobile forensics from James Eichbaum.

Learn from an instructor who combines technical expertise with real investigative experience.

James Eichbaum is Co-Founder and Head of Product and Training at Elusive Data. With more than 17 years of experience training forensic professionals across 30+ countries, James brings practical insight from both law enforcement and forensic technology into the classroom.

His approach focuses on understanding how mobile forensic methods work, evaluating results and applying the right techniques to real investigative situations.

Available training formats
Live Online

Three days of instructor-led online training with guided demonstrations, practical exercises and opportunities to ask questions.

Classroom

In-person training for teams, arranged on request with practical instruction and mobile forensic labs.

On-Demand: Planned for a future release. Contact Elusive Data if you would like information about upcoming availability.

Course completion

3 days / 24 hours of training, with a Certificate of Completion documenting 24 CPE credits.

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Frequently asked questions

Mobile Device Forensics — FAQ

Answers to common questions about course content, practical training, prerequisites and delivery options.

Course content & practical training

Do I need previous mobile forensics experience?

No. The course starts with foundational concepts and develops your understanding step by step. General familiarity with computers and mobile devices is helpful, but specialist mobile forensic experience is not required.

Does the course cover both iOS and Android?

Yes. The course covers mobile acquisition and forensic analysis across both iOS and Android, including differences in device security, extraction methods and available evidence.

Which acquisition methods will I learn?

You'll learn the differences between logical, file system and physical extractions, as well as concepts relating to agent-based acquisition, BFU/AFU device states and hardware-based approaches such as Chip-Off, JTAG and ISP. The course explains how these methods relate to different forensic situations.

What does the hands-on training involve?

Practical exercises cover mobile evidence handling, acquisition workflows and examination of app data, databases, system logs and other artifacts using realistic iOS and Android forensic scenarios.

Is the training relevant to my forensic tools?

Yes. The course focuses on transferable forensic principles rather than a single software product. The methods support work alongside platforms such as Cellebrite, MSAB and Oxygen.

Will I learn to interpret app data and artifacts?

Yes. You'll examine application databases, system logs and device artifacts, and learn how to relate findings to activity, timelines and investigative questions.

Training formats & booking

How long is the course?

The instructor-led course runs for three days, totaling 24 hours of training.

Which training formats are available?

Live Online training is available, and Classroom training can be arranged for teams on request. An On-Demand version is planned but is not currently available.

Can we arrange training for our team?

Yes. Elusive Data offers instructor-led training for teams. Contact us with your preferred delivery format, approximate number of participants and training requirements to discuss available options.

Who teaches the course?

The course is taught by James Eichbaum, Co-Founder and Head of Product and Training at Elusive Data. James has more than 17 years of experience training digital forensic professionals and a background in law enforcement investigations.

Will I receive a certificate?

Yes. Participants who successfully complete the course receive an Elusive Data Certificate of Completion documenting 24 CPE credits.

How do I request training or ask a question?

Use our contact form to tell us about your training needs. We can discuss delivery options, team requirements and the next available opportunities.

Planning mobile forensics training for your team?

Tell us what you're looking for, and we'll help you explore suitable training options.

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