Pro bono work

Who it is for

If you work for a non-profit or human-rights organisation and need help with a forensic question, you can ask whether we can take it on pro bono. The steps below explain how to make that first approach safely.

How do I ask?

1. 01

   Contact us

   Call, write or send a WhatsApp message saying that your organisation is asking about pro bono support.

2. 02

   Describe the matter in general terms

   Explain the kind of help needed, for example a disputed document or a phone that holds important material, without names or case facts.

3. 03

   Agree a secure channel

   Once we have agreed a safe way to receive information, you can share the details and any files.

People at risk can be exposed if case details travel over ordinary email. Hold back anything identifying until a secure channel is in place.

What to put in a first message

• the name of your organisation and a line on what it does;
• the kind of forensic question you have, without names or identifying facts;
• any date by which you need an answer;
• the safest way and time to reach you, if some channels are monitored or shared.

Protecting the material in the meantime

While you are deciding whether to ask, a few general habits help keep evidence useful for any examiner:

• Keep original paper documents flat, dry and unmarked, and handle them as little as possible.
• Leave a relevant phone or laptop as it is: avoid deleting, resetting, updating or reorganising anything on it.
• Write down who has held each item and when, starting from the moment it came to you.

Questions