Ask the Lab

Ask a research question about how phones and tablets record their own history. A person reads it and answers when the answer can be supported.

We accept words only. No files, no case data.

Do not attach files, paste logs, or include names, phone numbers, account names, case numbers or anything from a case. If a question needs a file to make sense, describe the type of artifact instead.

Topic The six research topics. Pick the closest one. Your question Describe the artifact or behavior, not a case. Between 20 and 1,200 characters.

Name OptionalShown only if you choose a public answer and ask us to credit you. Email OptionalNeeded for a private answer. Never published.

How may we answer?

Public answerWe may publish the question and the answer in the archive, edited to remove anything identifying. You can ask us to credit you. Private answerWe reply by email and publish nothing. An email address is required.

My question has no case data or personal data about other people.

By sending you agree to the privacy notice and the terms. We use your email only to reply.

How it works

We read it. A person reads every question. Nothing is answered automatically.
We answer when we can support it. We aim to answer within 5 business days. A question that needs research can take longer. Some questions become research.
You choose what is public. Public answers go to the archive, with the date and a version note.

Spam control

The form has a hidden field that real people never fill and a minimum fill time. There is no CAPTCHA and no tracking script. Submissions that trip either check are dropped without a message to the sender.

The page runs these checks, and the server repeats them.

What we do not answer

We do not give legal advice, opinions on a specific case, or help to access a device you do not own.

Fix these before sending