Instructions for Sending a Drive to PassProtect Using a Commercial Courier

Overview

You may be requested to send a drive, media, or other equipment to PassProtect for analysis at our laboratory facility.  Should you be asked to send equipment to our facility for onsite examination, it is important to make sure that the integrity of the equipment is not compromised while in transit.  These instructions will provide you with the necessary steps to ensure that valuable data is not lost during the shipping process.  

Prerequisites 

The following items should be obtained prior to beginning the procedure outlined below: 

• One (1) anti-static baggie or anti-static wrap – Static discharge can significantly damage magnetic storage equipment.  It is important to ensure that magnetic media is isolated from such discharge should it occur.  Anti-static bags may be obtained from a local office supply store (e.g. Staples, OfficeMax, Office Depot, etc.)  or computer store (e.g. CompUSA, Best Buy, etc.) 
  
  
• Bubble Wrap, Styrofoam Pads, or Packaging “Peanuts” – It is important to shield the device from possible damage caused by shock or impact.  This insulating packaging material will be used to safeguard against this type of damage.
  
  
• White Adhesive Labels (e.g. Address Labels) – To ensure proper chain of custody, it is required that there be evidence of tampering should tampering occur during transport.  These labels will be used as part of the tamper-evidence safeguards.
  
  
• Cardboard Packaging Material (Box) – A box will be required to place the items into.   If this box is not self-sealing, packaging tape will also be required.
  
  
• FedEx Airbill – A blank FedEx Airbill will be required for FedEx to deliver the equipment.

Instructions

The following instructions will send the equipment to the PassProtect facility.  It is important that these instructions be followed precisely to ensure that the equipment being sent is not damaged in transit.  If you have questions about these instructions, please describe your question contact us and a response will be provided shortly.

1. Prior to removing the storage device or other equipment from the machine to be analyzed Using a standard camera, take pictures of the the environment around the computer, suck as the desk, shelves, other media like floppy disks, Zip drives or CDs, software. Also take pictures of the back of the computer.
   
   
2. Write down the serial number, make, and model of the device on a sheet of paper.
   
   
3. Place the storage device into the anti-static bag along with the model information recorded in the previous step.  Ensure that the anti-static material completely covers the storage device.
   
   
4. Place the self-adhesive label across the seal of the anti-static bag; sign the label across the seal.
   
   
5. If using “bubble wrap” or a similar protective material, place the protective material around the storage device and anti-static bag.  If using packaging peanuts or Styrofoam pads, place these pads into the box that you will be using to send the storage device.
   
   
6. Place the storage device in the box and ensure that it is properly insulated against impact damage by means of the packaging foam or peanuts.
   
   
7. Seal the box.  If a self-sealing box is not being used, use packaging tape to completely seal the box.
   
   
8. Complete the FedEx Airbill and attach it to the box.  Make out the “Recipient Address” section using the PassProtect address located on the “contact” section of the PassProtect web site, care of “Forensic Investigative Laboratory.”
   
   
9. Deposit the box and attached air bill at an authorized FedEx drop-off facility.  A list of these facilities can be located on the FedEx website (www.fedex.com.)