The time required to prepare a court expert opinion (or private forensic opinion) depends primarily on the volume and complexity of the evidence:
| Type of case | Typical timeframe |
|---|---|
| Simple analysis (one phone/computer, limited scope) | 3–10 working days |
| Standard investigation (multiple devices, communication, timeline) | 2–4 weeks |
| Complex cases (servers, encrypted containers, large data sets, reconstruction) | 4–10 weeks |
What affects the duration
- Volume of data (terabytes dramatically extend processing time)
- Need to recover deleted/encrypted/damaged data
- Number of devices and accounts to be examined
- Requirement for detailed timeline reconstruction
- Need for additional clarification/questions from the court or client
Every opinion — regardless of whether it is a court-commissioned or private one — is prepared with full technical documentation, verified hashes, and strict adherence to forensic standards. Rushing this process is not possible without compromising quality and admissibility in court.