Lexar USB sticks are commonly used by photographers, businesses, and professionals for fast, portable storage of photos and project files. However, when files are accidentally overwritten, standard recovery tools often fail to restore them, making advanced forensic-level recovery techniques necessary.
This case study details how we successfully recovered photo shoot images for a local business from a Lexar USB stick, after critical files were accidentally overwritten.
As Leeds Data Recovery, with 25 years of experience, we used NAND flash memory extraction, forensic deep scanning, and partial file reconstruction techniques to restore lost photography files.
Overwritten Files on a Lexar USB Drive
A professional photographer contacted us after accidentally copying new files onto a Lexar USB stick, with the following issues:
- Previous photo shoot images were missing after new files were saved.
- Standard recovery software failed to retrieve the lost images.
- The USB drive contained high-resolution RAW and JPEG images from a business photoshoot.
- The client needed urgent recovery to deliver the project on time.
Since overwritten data is among the most difficult to recover, an immediate professional forensic recovery solution was required.
Diagnosis & Evaluation
When the Lexar USB stick arrived at our cleanroom facility, we conducted a full NAND flash memory and file system diagnostic. Our findings:
- Overwritten file blocks detected – New files had replaced some previous data.
- Residual image fragments found in unallocated storage – Indicating partial recovery was possible.
- No physical damage to the USB stick – Meaning a logical and forensic recovery approach was viable.
Since overwriting replaces old file structures, traditional recovery methods were ineffective, requiring specialized flash memory extraction.
The Recovery Process
1. Cloning & Imaging the USB Stick to Prevent Further Data Loss
To preserve recoverable data, we:
- Created a sector-by-sector clone of the Lexar USB stick.
- Used write-blocking technology to prevent accidental overwrites.
2. Forensic Deep Scanning & Image Recovery
Since files were partially overwritten, we:
- Performed a deep scan of NAND flash memory to locate residual data blocks.
- Reconstructed fragmented RAW and JPEG images from unallocated storage.
3. Verifying & Restoring Business Photoshoot Files
Once data extraction was complete, we:
- Recovered and repaired partially corrupted image files.
- Checked all images for quality and usability.
- Transferred the successfully recovered photos to a secure external drive.
The Results: 70% Data Recovery Success
Due to partial overwriting, full recovery was not possible, but we successfully restored 70% of the lost business photoshoot images, including:
✅ High-resolution RAW and JPEG images from the shoot
✅ Edited photos recovered from unallocated memory sectors
✅ Usable fragments of lost images that could be reconstructed
The client was able to deliver the project with minimal disruptions, avoiding the need for a reshoot.
Why Choose Us?
With 25 years of experience and tens of thousands of successful recoveries, we are the leading USB flash drive data recovery specialists in Leeds and the UK. Our expertise includes:
✔ Forensic recovery of overwritten USB data
✔ NAND flash memory deep scanning & chip-off recovery
✔ RAW & JPEG photo file restoration
✔ Secure & confidential recovery for professional photographers
If your USB stick has overwritten files, corrupted images, or lost important project data, stop using it immediately and contact us for expert data recovery.