SQLite Forensics: WAL & SHM micro-course
Learn how to recover deleted, ucommitted, and overwritten SQLite data
advanced level | 2 HouRS | updated 2025
This advanced micro-course teaches you how to extract evidence from WAL and SHM files, volatile layers where critical changes often reside. Learn to verify data integrity, track modifications, and uncover what traditional tools miss.
SQLite Forensics: WAL & SHM (Micro-course)
This advanced micro-course teaches you how to extract evidence from WAL and SHM files, volatile layers where critical changes often reside. Learn to verify data integrity, track modifications, and uncover what traditional tools miss.
Overview of what you will learn
● Understand how WAL and SHM files track SQLite database changes over time
● Decode WAL frames and SHM index structures to locate deleted or overwritten data
● Recover evidence that's missed by common forensic tools
● Reconstruct timelines of app activity
● Validate tool output and spot tampering or anomalies
Is this course for you?
This course is ideal for forensic professionals who:
● Need to trace the sequence of events from mobile app activity
● Want to analyze deleted or uncommitted SQLite records manually
● Are working on high-stakes or time-critical investigations
● Prefer focused, practical training with immediate takeaways
Why investigators choose this course
● Page-level change tracking — follow the flow of data between versions and edits
● Real-world WAL and SHM data — work with live forensic samples
● No scripting needed — clear, step-by-step instruction
● 2 hours total — concise and focused
● Flexible delivery — on-demand or live online
● Certificate included — proof of training and skills
Inside the Course (Video)
Course Format & Pricing
On-Demand: paced at your convenience
Live Online: $349
What you'll learn
In this course, you'll learn to:
- Decode SQLite's change-tracking system Understand how Write-Ahead Logs (WAL) and Shared Memory (SHM) files track what changed, when, and how.
- Recover overwritten and deleted content Extract valuable evidence from uncommitted transactions and untouched WAL frames missed by standard tools.
- Reconstruct database activity Use WAL frames and SHM index pages to trace the order, timing, and nature of changes over time.
- Validate or challenge tool output Compare tool findings with raw frame-level data to detect gaps or tampering.
- Explain database changes clearly Learn to document what changed, why it matters, and how you proved it — suitable for reports or court.
- Work with real-world forensic data Practice your skills on authentic datasets drawn from mobile case scenarios.
Included in your training
- Focus on SQLite timelines Go beyond snapshots — see what happened before data was committed or deleted.
- WAL and SHM mastery Learn how frames are structured, how SHM index pages guide interpretation, and how to navigate both.
- Tool-independent techniques Learn to verify findings manually — without relying on automated parsing.
- Step-by-step, no-code delivery Designed for examiners — no SQL or programming required.
- Flexible format Join live or study on-demand at your own pace.
- Certificate of Completion Receive official recognition of your skills after finishing the course.
Course Content
Expand All Sections- Understand the role of WAL and SHM in SQLite's architecture
- Learn how WAL enables change tracking and delayed writes
- Decode individual WAL frames and headers
- Identify page changes and transaction boundaries
- Explore SHM files and their indexing role
- Use SHM data to navigate and interpret WAL frames
- Find deleted data in uncheckpointed WAL segments
- Identify uncommitted inserts, updates, and data that never made it to the main database
- Rebuild action timelines from WAL and SHM changes
- Match modifications to precise transaction points
- Validate tool results by comparing raw WAL/SHM data
- Detect gaps, anomalies, and possible tampering
Who is this course for?
This course is for digital forensic professionals, incident responders, and analysts who need to extract evidence from the often-overlooked WAL and SHM files in SQLite databases. It's ideal when deleted or modified content isn't available in the main database file — and your tools don't go far enough.
It's especially useful if you:
- Investigate mobile app data from iOS or Android devices
- Need to recover deleted records or analyze overwritten entries
- Are tasked with validating tool results or identifying tampering
- Want to reconstruct database activity over time
- Work in legal, regulatory, or internal investigative environments
- Prefer hands-on, case-based learning over slides or theory
Whether you're working in law enforcement, corporate investigations, or digital forensics labs — this course gives you the skills to uncover critical evidence in WAL and SHM files.
Who This Course Helps
Mobile App Investigators
Dig beyond the database file to extract deleted or overwritten content from WAL and SHM files.
Tool Validators
Test the limits of your forensic tools by comparing decoded output with raw transaction-layer evidence.
Technical Analysts
Understand how SQLite tracks changes using WAL frames and SHM index pages — and how to parse them manually.
Report Writers
Explain how and when data changed, not just what was recovered — with clarity that stands up in court.
Hands-on Learners
No fluff. Work with real forensic WAL/SHM samples in a guided, lab-driven format designed for deep retention.
Legal & Compliance Teams
Need evidence that shows what changed and when? Learn techniques that hold up under scrutiny.
Your Instructor
This course is taught by James Eichbaum, a leading expert in digital forensics and one of the most experienced instructors in mobile and database analysis. With over 15 years of experience teaching SQLite forensics, James has trained professionals across 30+ countries.
He previously served as Global Training Manager at MSAB and has led advanced training for hundreds of organizations worldwide including national police agencies, governments, and private DFIR labs. His instruction combines deep technical skill with extensive field experience from real investigations.
In this micro-course, James guides you through the internal workings of SQLite databases, including deleted records, freelist pages, and overflow structures, using a practical, tool-independent approach designed to give you skills you can apply right away.
Connect with James on LinkedIn- 15+ years teaching digital and mobile forensics
- Former Global Training Manager at MSAB
- Former California P.O.S.T. Instructor
- Detective with Sacramento Valley High Tech Crimes Task Force
- Special Deputy U.S. Marshal on FBI Cyber Crimes Task Force
- HTCIA Case of the Year award recipient (2011)
Choose Your Training Format
OnDemand
Learn at your own pace with 2 hours of expert-led content. Flexible, self-guided learning.
- Start anytime
- 90 days of full access
- Work at your own pace
- Certification included
- Email support & resource library
Live Online
Join instructor-led sessions remotely. Choose a scheduled class or request a private team session.
- Scheduled virtual sessions
- Live instruction & Q&A
- Interactive labs
- Certification included
- Email support & resource library
Contact us for group pricing ⟶
Certification & CPE Credits
This Micro-course and the Full SQLite Forensics Track
This focused micro-course is a standalone module designed for fast, targeted learning. It's built to help digital investigators understand how SQLite tracks changes through WAL and SHM files — especially when you need to recover deleted data or reconstruct database activity that standard tools miss. In just 2 hours, you'll gain expertise in WAL frame analysis, SHM index interpretation, and timeline reconstruction.
This micro-course is part of our broader training strategy and has been carefully selected from the full Advanced SQLite Forensics Course. That larger course spans three full days (or on-demand equivalent) and offers advanced labs, certification, and up to 24 CPE credits.
In the full version of the course, you'll also learn:
- Complete SQLite internal structure (pages, headers, VarInts)
- Freelist page analysis and overflow record recovery
- Custom app parsing and B-Tree navigation
- Advanced unallocated space carving techniques
- Use of Elusive Data's exclusive SQLite forensic tools
- Scenario-based CTF challenges to test and reinforce skills
FAQ
Expand AllOn-Demand: Access all 2 hours of content at your own pace. Ideal for working professionals who want flexibility to train between active cases.
Live Online: Instructor-led sessions conducted remotely. Timing can be customized for your team.
Yes — this course has been completely redesigned and updated for 2025. It reflects the latest findings, updated SQLite behavior, and modern forensic challenges based on real-world casework.
Yes! We offer flexible group training options — including discounted rates for teams of 5 or more. Agencies, labs, and organizations can request custom scheduling and onboarding support tailored to their needs.
Absolutely. We provide instructor email support so you can keep progressing confidently at your own pace.
Perfect. This course complements those skills by going deeper into WAL and SHM file analysis. You'll learn what automated tools often overlook — like reconstructing timeline data from WAL frames and recovering deleted activity from SHM indexes.
The course is led by Elusive Data's senior instructor, James Eichbaum, a forensic specialist who has trained professionals from national police forces, federal, state and local law enforcement, government and military agencies, and global DFIR teams. You'll learn from someone with deep, practical experience in real investigations. James has been teaching database forensics for over 15 years.
Yes. Every module includes interactive labs using real WAL and SHM files. You'll apply your learning immediately through guided exercises analyzing timeline reconstruction and deleted data recovery.
This microcourse was designed to fill a crucial gap in forensic training: understanding how SQLite WAL and SHM files track database changes and store recoverable data.
In just 2 focused hours, you'll learn how WAL frames capture transaction history, how SHM indexes track page modifications, and how to reconstruct activity timelines that standard tools miss.
Through realistic examples and unsupported apps, you'll work hands-on to parse WAL headers, interpret checkpoint data, and recover deleted transactions with precision.
Continuously updated and built for working professionals, this course delivers fast, focused, and practical training without cutting corners.
You should be comfortable navigating forensic tools and working with mobile artifacts, but you don't need to be a developer. We'll guide you through low-level concepts like WAL frame parsing, checkpoint analysis, and SHM index interpretation with clear explanations and hands-on labs.
Yes. The course is certificate-based and designed by a former law enforcement examiner with real testimony experience. The workflows taught are courtroom-ready and built to hold up under review.
Yes. The course is built around real-world app data, not generic examples. You'll learn practical workflows you can apply immediately — even when your tools fall short.
Great — this course is designed to work alongside them. You'll learn how to verify tool output, investigate unsupported apps, and recover evidence those tools often overlook.
Yes! We regularly schedule live online sessions that you can join alongside other professionals. These scheduled courses offer the same comprehensive content with real-time interaction and Q&A sessions.
Check our course calendar to see upcoming scheduled dates and register for available sessions.
Absolutely! If the scheduled course dates don't work for you, we're happy to arrange a private live session at a time that fits your schedule.
Simply submit a booking request with your preferred dates and times, and we'll work with you to find a convenient slot. This is perfect for teams or organizations with specific timing requirements.
No — if you later decide to enroll in the complete SQLite Forensics course, we'll deduct the full cost of this microcourse from your total. Just reach out to us before enrolling in the full course.
Feedback from the field
Lina S.
Digital Forensic Examiner
I’ve always relied on tools, but this course showed me that things are hiding between the lines. Seeing deleted messages come back from the WAL blew my mind.
Marcus D.
Incident Response Consultant
I used to skip over WAL files because I didn’t know what to do with them. Now I can pull out overwritten records, rebuild actions, and explain every change in a timeline.
Chloe R.
Mobile Forensics Analyst
Turns out the timeline I needed was already there. WAL and SHM gave me what the tools missed. Honestly, this training changed how I work on every case.
Other resources you may like
Master SQLite Forensics with our 2025-certified training, tailored for professionals examining mobile app data. Learn to uncover deleted records, interpret WAL files, and recover hidden artifacts beyond the reach of standard tools. Built around real-world casework and fresh CTFs, this hands-on course emphasizes page-level decoding, deep forensic insight, and practical techniques for advanced investigations.
Decoding VarInts manually can slow down forensic workflows, especially when working with unfamiliar or messy databases. This tool helps you interpret those values quickly, so you can stay focused on analysis. Free to use and built for investigators who work directly with SQLite internals.
This focused micro-course helps you go beyond tool limitations by showing exactly how SQLite stores and removes data. In just a few hours, you'll learn to recover deleted records, interpret raw structures, and confidently analyze app databases, even when tools give you nothing.
SQLITE forensics
SQLite remains the backbone of mobile app storage in 2025, powering everything from chat histories and location logs to app settings and cached media. While forensic tools handle basic extraction well, they often stop short of revealing what’s stored deeper in database internals: write-ahead logs, overflow chains, or custom schemas unique to each app.
As mobile software evolves rapidly, examiners increasingly face situations where data is only partially decoded or missed altogether. Understanding the inner workings of SQLite has become essential for reliable mobile analysis.
This microcourse was built with that reality in mind. You’ll learn how to break down SQLite at the structural level, recovering data manually, interpreting how records are organized, and spotting patterns or anomalies that tools alone may not explain. It’s the kind of practical expertise that gives you more control in complex or time-critical cases.
Request Live Session
This request is completely non-binding. Let us know what dates might work for you and how many participants you’d like to include. We’ll get back to you promptly to discuss the best options together.
stay updated
Stay in the loop. Sign up for our monthly newsletter.
Be the first to hear about new training opportunities, free tools, case-based blog posts, and practical insights. Our monthly newsletter is built to help you learn faster, solve cases smarter, and keep up in a field that never stands still.
Fill in your email to sign up.
