Vehicle Forensics
Digitpol provides specialist vehicle forensics and automotive digital forensic services, identifying, acquiring and analysing data from vehicle systems for criminal, civil and insurance investigations.
Our forensic specialists examine a wide range of electronic vehicle systems and components, including Electronic Control Units (ECUs), instrument clusters, vehicle keys, GPS systems, infotainment systems and OEM telematics platforms. Depending on the vehicle and investigation, these systems can contain valuable digital evidence relating to vehicle identity, location, usage, mileage, faults, events and driver activity.
Digitpol has conducted research into automotive systems and vehicle forensics since 2009. Through extensive research, practical casework and collaboration with automotive system manufacturers, we have developed robust methods for acquiring and analysing forensic data from vehicle modules and electronic components.
Our examinations can recover and analyse evidence including vehicle identification data, GPS and location information, mileage records, crash and event data, historical faults, system errors, speed, acceleration, braking and engine-performance information. The availability of specific data depends on the vehicle manufacturer, model, system and circumstances of the investigation.
Vehicles can be examined on-site or at Digitpol's forensic laboratory. Where required, individual modules and electronic components can also be subjected to specialist forensic examination.
Vehicle Forensics for Insurance Investigations
Digital vehicle evidence can play an important role in the investigation of motor insurance fraud, staged collisions, false theft claims, mileage manipulation and disputed accident circumstances. Data recovered from a vehicle may help investigators establish whether the information recorded by its electronic systems is consistent with the circumstances described in an insurance claim.
Digitpol uses specialist forensic tools and acquisition techniques to extract data from ECUs, GPS and navigation systems, infotainment and telematics platforms, keys and other electronic vehicle components. Our digital forensic investigators then analyse and correlate the recovered information to determine its evidential relevance.
The findings can be documented in a clear forensic report, providing investigators, insurers, legal professionals and other authorised parties with technically supported evidence for use in their investigation.
ECU Forensics
We specialize in recovery of deleted KM, VIN and Serial numbers from all types of coded ECU's. ABS. Airbag modules, Instrument clusters (dashboards), Keys and Navigation units.
- KM reading, identify change mileage.
- VIN & Serial numbers.
- History and faults with times and KM.
- Crash data, events and historic faults.
- Is the Engine ECU Mapped.
- Identify swapped parts or stolen parts.
Key Forensics
Is The Key Original? Does it belong to the claim?
Recovery of data from Keys - Transponder Chip Forensics
- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
- Transponder ID
- How many keys are coded to the vehicle, which key is it
- The last KM reading
- The Fuel status
- Vehicle data paired with the last entry
GPS Forensics
We can recover evidence from the following systems installed in the following vehicle brands.
BMW | Toyota | Ford | VW | Audi | Skoda | Seat (RNS510)
Volvo | Mercedes-Benz | Nissan | Toyota | Lexus | Porsche | Landrover
Many other OEM Systems which run similar operating systems. To find out more we require the VIN and the right documentation.
Digitpol conducts specialist vehicle theft prevention research for OEMs, focusing on identifying vulnerabilities within modern vehicle security systems and developing methods to understand how vehicles can be targeted by organised vehicle theft. Our research includes the examination of vehicle electronic systems, CAN Bus networks, ECUs, immobiliser systems, keys, gateways, infotainment and telematics platforms. By analysing attack methods, reverse engineering relevant vehicle behaviour, and conducting controlled security testing, Digitpol provides OEMs with intelligence that can be used to strengthen vehicle software, electronic security systems, and theft prevention measures. Our research is designed to help manufacturers identify weaknesses, improve vehicle security, and develop effective countermeasures against emerging vehicle theft techniques.
Penetration Testing of Connected Vehicles
As vehicles become increasingly connected, cybersecurity has become a critical component of vehicle development and validation. Connected services, wireless interfaces, electronic control units (ECUs), and in vehicle networks expand the attack surface, making penetration testing essential for identifying and mitigating security vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.
Digitpol provides automotive penetration testing services for vehicle manufacturers, suppliers, and technology partners to assess the resilience of connected vehicle systems. Our testing evaluates potential attack vectors across vehicle networks, embedded systems, wireless communications, and connected services to identify security weaknesses and validate the effectiveness of existing protections.
CAN Bus Security Testing
The Controller Area Network (CAN Bus) remains the primary communication backbone within modern vehicles. Digitpol performs CAN Bus penetration testing by analysing network traffic, reverse engineering communication protocols, and simulating real world attack techniques, including packet injection and gateway manipulation. By replicating the behaviour of known vehicle theft tools and other attack methods, we help OEMs identify vulnerabilities and strengthen software based security controls to prevent unauthorised access and vehicle theft.
Supporting Secure Vehicle Development
Our penetration testing and automotive forensic services enable manufacturers to identify vulnerabilities throughout the vehicle lifecycle, validate security controls, and improve the resilience of connected vehicle platforms. By combining offensive security testing with in depth automotive expertise, Digitpol helps OEMs reduce cybersecurity risks while supporting compliance with modern automotive cybersecurity standards and best practices. Digitpol captures and analyses CAN Bus commands generated by seized devices being used for vehicle theft within a controlled virtual CAN Bus environment, these packets are then used by OEM's for prevention and upgrades.
