CRU-DataPort Forensic ComboDock v5

The Forensic ComboDock v5 from CRU-DataPort is a user-friendly hard drive write-blocker with read/write capabilities. It is a professional-grade, dual dock that provides host and drive connections. To use, connect a suspect hard drive to the Forensic ComboDock v5, plug in power, and attach to a host computer. The drive connector enables automatic alignment and easy insertion. An included mounting plate can be screwed onto the bottom of the drive to protect the drive's circuitry.

When turned on, the Forensic ComboDock v5 asks you to choose either write blocking or read/write mode. If you need to modify contents of a suspect drive, you can switch the Forensic ComboDock into temporary read/write mode.

Even though switching from write blocker mode to read/write mode is easy, the Forensic ComboDock v5 makes it impossible to unintentionally turn off write blocking. This prevents problems that can occur if you forget to change the mode back to write blocking. The Forensic ComboDock's LED indicator and easy screen menu also identifies the operating mode. You can even detect, remove, create, or modify Host Protected Areas (HPAs) and Device Configuration Overlays (DCOs) that may be hiding additional data on the suspect drive.

You can quickly access the drive information like selected important S.M.A.R.T data such as hours used, number of power cycles, and disk health. It can also display the model and serial number reported by the drive's firmware. Free downloadable software can also allow you to view this information on your computer and save it to a file for easy inclusion in a case report. The Forensic ComboDock v5 has USB 3.0/2.0, eSATA, FireWire 400, and FireWire 800 connections, and works natively with the common types of hard drives such as IDE/PATA and SATA.