What evidence might exist for deleted photographs or videos?¶

Deleted media may survive as recently deleted files, thumbnails, database entries, cache, backups, cloud copies, shared albums or recipient versions.

Full recovery is not guaranteed¶

Encryption and storage reuse can make local recovery impossible. Continued use increases change. Do not open recovery folders or restore files informally, because that alters the device.

Preserve the wider trail¶

Identify accounts, providers, messages, email and linked devices. Filenames, metadata and transfer records can establish prior existence even without content. Deletion timing may be relevant but can also reflect normal storage or synchronisation.