Mark J. McLaughlin is a seasoned digital forensics expert with over 30 years of experience in internal investigations, litigation support, and law enforcement. As the founder of Computer Forensics International, he has handled over 500 cases, analyzing digital evidence from computers, mobile devices, social media, and surveillance systems, often serving as a court-appointed neutral expert. Qualified as an expert witness, he excels at making complex digital evidence understandable for judges and juries. Mr. McLaughlin has received over 600 hours of specialized training and regularly updates his expertise to remain at the forefront of forensic analysis. Additionally, he has shared his knowledge widely through presentations and publications on digital forensics and cyber security.
• by the Honorable Warren L. Ettinger on Los Angeles Superior Court case number BC196592,
Haber v. Small; Haber v. Mantra Films.
• by the Honorable Ray Hart on Los Angeles Superior Court case number BC213129,
Krauz Puente LLC v. Slam.Site et al.
• by the Honorable James Dunn on Los Angeles Superior Court case number BC297772,
Donovan Lee Black v. Cushman Wakefield
• by the Honorable Mel Red Recana on Los Angeles Superior Court case number BC317046,
Ken Marefat v. Pall Corporation.
• by the Honorable Coleman Swart on Los Angeles Superior Court case number BC402101,
Sample v. Flint.
• by the Honorable Curtis Rappe on Los Angeles Superior Court case number BA355865-01,
People v. Henschel.
• by the Honorable Thomas McKnew on Los Angeles Superior Court case number VA130513,
People v. Bomani.
• by the Honorable Cathryn Brougham on Los Angeles Superior Court case number GA076747,
People v. Cardenas, et al.
• by the Honorable Michael Abzug on Los Angeles Superior Court case number BA422205,
People v. Allen.
• by the Honorable Carlos Chung on Los Angeles Superior Court case number MA066239,
People v. Hernandez.
• by the Honorable Lisa Hart Cole on Los Angeles Superior Court case number SC117161,
Moctezuma v. PNS Stores.
• by the Honorable Norm Shapiro on Los Angeles Superior Court case number BA432462,
People v. Dominguez.
• by the Honorable Lawrence W. Crispo, ADR Services case number 13-1118-LWC on
Instant Financing Inc. v. Wilshire Commercial Capital, LLC.
• by the Honorable William L. Sadler, on Los Angeles Superior Court case number 7AR00839,
People v. Kalpari.
• by the Honorable Vallera Johnson, on California Office of Admin. Hearings case number 2017011182,
Gabriel Rodriguez v. City of Calexico.
• by the Honorable Bruce Brodie, on Los Angeles Superior Court case number 8IN02228,
People v. Arguello
• by the Honorable Terry Green, on Los Angeles Superior Court case number BC688804
Flanigan v. Rheumatology Diagnostics Laboratory
. subsequent to the Court’s digital evidence discovery order, a forensic examination determined that a Defendant intentionally deleted relevant data using a “shredder” program. Evidence of the search for, download of and use of this shredder program was presented in court along with expert testimony. Defendant received monetary sanctions and precluded from testifying at trial.
. an HR department suspected a key employee was stealing company documents and preparing to delivery them to his new employer. The employee’s company laptop was seized and zip files containing sensitive files were recovered.
. a company defending a sexual harassment suit requested the examination of their accuser’s and manager’s PCs. An examination revealed the specific allegations of images on the manager’s PC were in fact there and nothing was found on the accuser’s PC. An immediate settlement was negotiated.
. an accounting manager for a pharmaceutical manufacturer used his employer’s funds to pay off a personal loan. Mr. McLaughlin recovered evidence of the fraud and cover-up through his forensic computer search, and then interviewed the subject who confessed to the fraud. A referral was made to local law enforcement and our client received partial restitution.
. planned and managed a tactical operation for a major electronics company to seize digital evidence pertaining to an international computer peripherals piracy scheme. Mr. McLaughlin conducted an exhaustive bit-by-bit analysis of the computer hard drives, running the Chinese version of Windows, then reconstructed the conspiracy, including the recovery of “deleted” emails and financial records.
. a marketing manager conspired to submit fraudulent invoices totaling $300,000 to his employer. Mr. McLaughlin recovered evidence of the complex fraud scheme from erased document and fax data files and email messages, then referred this matter to local law enforcement for prosecution.
. working under a court order for the review of computer evidence in a major entertainment industry civil case, Mr. McLaughlin conducted an analysis of the company’s server network, recovered key information critical to the plaintiff in the case. Additionally, Mr. McLaughlin uncovered digitally “embedded” information confirming the defendant used a “sanitizing utility” on many of the files less than four hours prior to his court ordered review, potentially destroying evidence. He testified as an expert witness and the defendant was sanctioned $120,000 for spoilage of evidence and the plaintiff ultimately won a $4 million judgment.
. an insurance company potentially liable for a $300,000 entertainment claim, needed to determine if internal negligence or an internal conspiracy contributed to the claim. Mr. McLaughlin imaged several PCs, restored backed-up network email, then searched for evidence. It was determined that only employee negligence contributed to the claim.
. a major software game publisher had several key employees suddenly leave to work for another company creating a potential $500,000 employment contract exposure. After searching eight PCs, Mr. McLaughlin was able to show how the employees communicated in violation of their agreement.
. a healthcare provider purportedly experienced system problems hampering a court ordered examination. Mr. McLaughlin interviewed the systems administrator who eventually confessed to deleting key server files causing the problem.
. a company’s inside counsel was accused of malpractice while handling private cases on company time. Mr. McLaughlin was able to reconstruct deleted files to prove the self dealing allegation and thwart a wrongful termination action.
. a major software publisher was victimized for $660,000 over six weeks by a sophisticated international call cell fraud ring. Mr. McLaughlin conducted a technical surveillance to identify the origins of calls, then liaisoned with local and federal law enforcement. He also assisted at identifying and closing vulnerabilities in the clients network.
. a retailer suspected that her partner was selling inventory for cash and pocketing the proceeds totaling $200,000. Mr. McLaughlin reconstructed the accounting database, identified emails and proved the allegation.