Business partners separate. The evidence should be clear.

Business Partner Separation Core Analysis

A business partnership is ending and you need to understand what happened to shared information. GDF Core Analysis is a flat-rate forensic service that preserves the agreed business records and explains relevant computer, email, cloud and communication activity.

Bagged hard drive beside a forensic write blocker.

The engagement

Replace uncertainty with a documented account

When partners separate, questions can arise about customer information, business plans, financial documents, intellectual property and control of shared accounts. A forensic examination helps establish what the available records show about the activity in question.

GDF works with authorized business representatives and counsel to identify the systems, accounts and records to examine. We preserve the agreed email, documents and computer system, then build a timeline around the business events and separation dates that matter.

The analysis can connect file activity with email, chat histories, cloud storage and available AI-use records. That combined view helps explain whether material was copied, shared, sent, altered or deleted, and the communications surrounding those events.

Core Analysis gives non-technical business owners and counsel a clear, concise report using the same forensically sound process GDF applies to its casework. It is offered at a flat rate for an agreed scope, with the sources, relevant period and questions defined before the examination.

Discuss a business partner separation

Scope

  • Identify the shared business records

    Work with authorized representatives to identify relevant computers, business email, shared storage and documents. Define the examination around the disputed activity and separation timeline.

  • Preserve the evidence

    Forensically preserve the agreed sources and document their handling. Retain the records needed to explain the examination and its findings.

  • Analyze documents and transfers

    Examine relevant file activity, copies, transfers and changes. Connect the technical records to the proprietary information or business documents the parties are concerned about.

  • Connect email, chat, cloud and AI records

    Review authorized communications and available activity from OneDrive, Google Workspace, Box, Dropbox and relevant AI tools. Correlate these sources to clarify the sequence of events.

  • Build a business-event timeline

    Organize the findings around key discussions, changes in access and the separation itself. Explain the significant events in language owners and counsel can follow.

  • Support the next decision

    Deliver the technical evidence and a concise report for counsel to assess concerns involving confidential information, trade secrets or fiduciary duties. Discuss further expert support when needed.

Methodology

From the business question to a clear report

  1. Define the scope

    Discuss the business events, authorized sources, period and questions. Confirm the flat-rate examination scope.

  2. Preserve the records

    Forensically preserve the agreed computer, email and documents and record their handling.

  3. Analyze and correlate

    Examine relevant activity across the sources and connect the events into a timeline.

  4. Explain the findings

    Provide a clear, concise report and discuss the findings with the business and counsel.

Evidence commonly examined

Evidence reviewed

  • Computer-system and file activity
  • Business email, attachments and chat histories
  • Documents and cloud storage such as OneDrive, Google Workspace, Box and Dropbox
  • Available AI-use records and supporting account activity

What you can expect

What you receive

  • Forensic preservation and evidence-handling documentation
  • A timeline of relevant events and activity
  • A concise report for non-technical readers
  • Supporting records and a discussion of the findings

Frequently asked

Common questions

My business partner and I are separating. Can GDF help examine the company records?

Yes. GDF Core Analysis preserves and examines agreed business records through an authorized forensic engagement. We build a clear timeline of relevant activity and explain the findings for business owners and counsel.

Is Core Analysis a flat-rate service for partner separations?

Yes. We define the authorized sources, period, questions and reporting scope before work begins and provide Core Analysis at a flat rate for that examination.

Can you examine copying or deletion of proprietary information?

Yes. We examine relevant file, email and account records and correlate the events to explain activity involving the business information in question.

Can you review shared cloud storage and chat histories?

Yes. The agreed examination can include authorized email, chats, OneDrive, Google Workspace, Box, Dropbox and available AI-use records, alongside the computer evidence.

Can the findings help our attorneys assess trade-secret or fiduciary-duty issues?

Yes. Core Analysis provides a documented technical record for counsel to evaluate those concerns and plan the next steps in the matter.

Will the report make sense to business owners?

Yes. GDF presents the relevant events, supporting evidence and timeline in plain language so non-technical readers can understand the activity identified.

Talk with an examiner

Discuss the matter and the next step.

Call to discuss timing, scope and the safest way to share information. Do not send evidence or credentials by email.

24/7 hotline: 1-800-868-8189

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