Drone Evidence First Responder Checklist

A field checklist for officers and investigators arriving on a scene involving a recovered or downed UAS: preserve the airframe, controller, paired devices, and media without destroying evidence.

What's in this checklist

A field checklist to preserve the drone, its controller, its media, and its flight data without inadvertently destroying evidence before a forensic examiner takes custody.

Preview · Section 1

Scene approach and safety

Treat the airframe as energized. LiPo batteries are a fire and chemical hazard, especially if damaged.
Do not power the drone or controller on. Do not press buttons.
Do not remove the battery in the field unless it is venting, smoking, or thermally damaged. Document any battery action with photos and a written note.

▣ 29 more items, 5 more sections

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Section 1

Section 1: Scene approach and safety

Treat the airframe as energized. LiPo batteries are a fire and chemical hazard, especially if damaged.
Do not power the drone or controller on. Do not press buttons.
Do not remove the battery in the field unless it is venting, smoking, or thermally damaged. Document any battery action with photos and a written note.
Look for and photograph any visible serial numbers, FAA registration markings, and unique identifiers on the airframe.
Establish a perimeter and document the position of the drone, controller, and any peripherals (FPV goggles, signal repeaters, smartphones).

Section 2

Section 2: Items to collect (every item matters)

The airframe.
All batteries, including those in carrying cases or vehicles.
The remote controller / transmitter.
Any mobile device (phone or tablet) paired with the drone or controller. The pilot's flight app holds critical evidence.
All SD cards, microSD cards, and internal storage media.
FPV goggles, head-mounted displays, or external monitors.
Charging cables, dongles, and any USB media in the case.
Carrying case, manuals, and any handwritten notes.

Section 3

Section 3: Power, network, and signal handling

Place the controller and any paired phone or tablet in a Faraday bag or RF-shielded container immediately. Drones can be remotely wiped over cellular or wifi.
Do not connect any drone-related device to wifi, cellular, or a computer.
If a paired phone is unlocked when found, keep the screen alive (do not let it lock) and transport in a Faraday bag with an external power source if possible.
Note whether the controller display shows any active session, error code, or telemetry. Photograph the screen.

Section 4

Section 4: Documentation at the scene

Photograph every item from multiple angles, with a scale reference.
Photograph propellers in place before any removal. Propeller damage tells you about impact direction.
Document weather (wind, visibility, temperature). Drone flight logs will be cross-referenced against this.
Document witness statements about flight path, hovering location, and approximate altitude.
Note any visible recording indicator on the drone (gimbal camera position, lens cap status).

Section 5

Section 5: Chain of custody and transport

Bag and tag each item separately. Do not commingle SD cards with the airframe.
Use anti-static, non-conductive packaging for electronics.
Transport batteries in a fire-resistant LiPo bag, separated from the airframe.
Keep all items at room temperature. Do not store in a hot vehicle trunk.
Transfer custody to a qualified drone forensics examiner with a signed chain-of-custody form within the agency's policy window.

Section 6

Section 6: What the forensic examiner can recover

Flight logs from the airframe, controller, and the pilot's mobile app (DJI Fly, Litchi, etc.), typically including takeoff/landing coordinates, altitude, speed, and waypoints.
Video and still imagery recorded to internal storage or SD.
Pilot identity artifacts from the paired mobile app (account email, device ID).
Cloud-synced flight history from DJI / manufacturer accounts (often with a subpoena to the manufacturer).
FAA Remote ID broadcasts captured by nearby receivers, if applicable.