Chip-Off Forensics

   The stripped down circuit board is placed is a circuit board holder so that it does not move and heat can be applied precisely. Digital forensics professionals Igor Mikhaylov and Oleg Skulkin recommend a temperature of 240° C for smartphones (Mikhaylov and Skulkin). Hot air is used to desolder the chip from the circuit board but sometimes there is also a thick compound attaching the chip. An exacto knife or blade is used to help lift the chip from the board. This process should take less than ten minutes.