AJ Burns
Computer Forensics Examiner · Mobile Device & ESI Specialist · U.S. Air Force Veteran
AJ Burns brings a rare combination of military intelligence rigor and hands-on digital forensics expertise to VRI Computer Forensics. A six-year veteran of the United States Air Force, AJ served as a Technical Sergeant and was selected as the lead cyber defense intelligence support specialist for the F-35 program — one of the most sensitive and technically demanding assignments in modern military intelligence.
Contact us for a case consultation →About AJ
During his active-duty career, AJ led intelligence support for the cyber defense of the F-35 at Hill AFB, managed flight IT accounts and more than $300,000 in equipment and software, and trained fellow analysts on the tools used to support F-35 combat operations. That foundation in threat research, intelligence analysis, and disciplined evidence handling now anchors his civilian forensics work.
Today, AJ specializes in the collection and preservation of Electronically Stored Information (ESI), with deep expertise in the forensic analysis of mobile devices, computers, and cloud storage. He applies the same chain-of-custody discipline he developed in a national security environment to civil, criminal, and corporate matters — executing defensible cell phone extractions and analyzing complex data sets with precision.
Area of Focus
Computer forensics — expert collection of Electronically Stored Information (ESI) for analysis, specializing in the digital examination of mobile devices, computers, and cloud storage.
Certifications & Advanced Training
- Certified Mobile Forensics Examiner — Infosec
- Certified Computer Forensics Examiner — Infosec
- CompTIA (pending) — Infosec
- Cellebrite Mobile Forensics Fundamentals — Cellebrite
- Cellebrite Certified Physical Analyst — Cellebrite
- Cellebrite Certified Operator — Cellebrite
- Associate of Applied Science, Intelligence Studies & Technology — Community College of the Air Force (CCAF)
- Cyber Intelligence Formal Training Unit — USAF
- F-35 Intelligence Formal Training Unit — USAF
Experience
Risk Control Strategies, Inc. — January 2024 to Present
- Collection and preservation of electronic evidence from computer and cloud sources
- Cell phone extractions and analysis
Verdict Resources, Inc. — July 2022 to December 2023
- Collection and preservation of electronic evidence from computer and cloud sources
- Cell phone extractions and analysis
Cyber Lead Intel, EUCOM Fusion Cell, USAF — May 2020 to May 2022
- First lead for intelligence support to the cyber defense of the F-35 at Hill AFB, UT
- Managed flight IT accounts and 281 items of equipment/software valued at $300K
- Instructed team members on critical intel analysis tools supporting F-35 combat operations
Intelligence Operations Analyst, USAF — November 2017 to May 2020
- Researched USAF threats and delivered intelligence briefs to leadership tailored for the F-35
- Conducted intelligence analysis supporting F-35 deployment contingency operations
Work With AJ
Whether your matter involves a cell phone extraction, a computer or cloud collection, or the disciplined analysis of complex digital evidence, AJ and the VRI / Risk Control Strategies team are ready to help.
Contact us for a case consultation →
Frequently Asked Questions
What are AJ Burns's qualifications as a computer forensics examiner?
AJ is a Certified Mobile Forensics Examiner and Certified Computer Forensics Examiner (Infosec) and holds multiple Cellebrite certifications, including Certified Physical Analyst and Certified Operator. He earned an A.A.S. in Intelligence Studies & Technology from the Community College of the Air Force and served six years in the U.S. Air Force as the lead cyber-defense intelligence support specialist for the F-35 program.
What does AJ specialize in?
The collection and preservation of Electronically Stored Information (ESI), with deep expertise in the forensic analysis of mobile devices, computers, and cloud storage — including defensible cell phone extractions.
What types of matters does AJ handle?
Civil, criminal, and corporate matters that require the forensic collection and analysis of digital evidence from phones, computers, and cloud accounts, handled with strict chain-of-custody discipline.
What is AJ's background?
A six-year U.S. Air Force veteran and Technical Sergeant who led intelligence support for the cyber defense of the F-35 at Hill AFB before moving into civilian digital forensics with Verdict Resources and Risk Control Strategies.