Module 3B - Chip Off

This in-person course teaches chip-off as a controlled and repeatable acquisition technique for vehicle systems forensics. It focuses on the safe removal of memory chips from automotive ECUs, including telematics and infotainment systems, across a wide range of circuit board sizes and chip types commonly encountered in casework.

The course builds the background knowledge that is often assumed but rarely taught. Delegates gain a clear understanding of solder and flux, how and when to use them, why different chips and circuit boards require different approaches, and how heat control and technique directly affect the risk of damage and data loss. Equipment options are covered in detail, with practical guidance on what is suitable for operational use when returning to the workplace.

Training begins with core theory and health and safety principles, followed by a live demonstration of the full chip-off workflow. Students follow the process of controlled PCB heating, memory device removal, chip cleaning and preparation, re-balling where required, and correct re-mounting of the device to the circuit board. Delegates then spend the majority of the course working hands-on with a variety of circuit boards, practising chip removal techniques across multiple ECUs and memory types. Time is deliberately allocated for repetition, as proficiency in chip-off comes from experience rather than observation.

This course does not include reading or parsing memory devices once removed. It supports advanced acquisition workflows where physical chip removal is necessary before data can be accessed. Chip-off is often a last-resort technique, but it is a required skill for anyone working in vehicle systems forensics. Commercial vendor tools such as Berla and Rusolut accept chip-off imports, and correct removal of the memory device is a prerequisite for those workflows.

Unlike mobile and computer forensics, the global vehicle population contains a wide and long-tail population of ECUs, many of which will never be supported through non-destructive access methods. Vehicles also remain in service far longer than consumer devices, meaning these ECUs will continue to appear in investigations and collisions for many years to come. As a result, chip-off remains an essential capability rather than a legacy technique.

Chip-off is frequently underestimated by those without practical experience. In reality, it requires knowledge, planning, and practice to perform safely and consistently. For this reason, delegate numbers are strictly limited to one or two participants, allowing close supervision and meaningful time at the bench.

 The course is delivered by Phil Cocking who brings over 30 years’ experience in electronics, soldering, and board-level work in digital forensics. Delegates benefit from practical techniques, risk awareness, and problem-avoidance methods developed through long-term operational experience.

This module is for those people who wish to learn how to effectively and safely remove chips from printed circuit boards within infotainment modules.

Police Officers / Staff responsible for Vehicle Systems Forensics Examinations. Digital Media Investigators, Digital Forensics Practitioners, Forensic Collision Investigators, Insurance Investigators involving motor vehicles.

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 Patience and a steady hand