How are laptop searches conducted at immigration/customs/border check points? [closed]

I understand that in some countries, electronic devices can be searched at customs and border check points. I would like to understand how this check is done technically.

I.e., do they just turn it on, just for my password, type it in and then browse around? Or do they connect (how? USB?) a storage device with a program that scans the hard drive (file system? sectors?) for things they search for?

Also, what are they searching for, and how? Text? Images? Documents? Do they have a list of known fingerprints, hashes, file names? Or is it heuristics (jpg with lots of skin tone => child pornography?). Do they also copy stuff off in this manner, or do they disassemble the laptop and put the disk in a clone devices?

What operating systems and file systems are they prepared for? E.g., would XFS on a loop device on EXT4 stump them completely?

What are their means of detecting hidden, encrypted and/or steganographised volumes, vaults, partitions or file contents (e.g. steganography in a bitmap)? Are they prepared for common solutions (TrueCrypt, luks etc.) only, or do they employ methods to detect other custom solutions (analysing bit patterns in unused sectors, signal-to-noise ratio in pictures etc.)?

Countries I'm looking at are US and UK.

(Lots of questions, I know. Blame my curiosity.)

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Can border agents check your phone?

This means that just like your luggage, our officers can examine your cell phones, tablets, laptops and any other digital device you are carrying. A digital device is defined as any device that is capable of storing digital data, such as: cell phones. smartphones.

How does a border checkpoint work?

At these checkpoints, every motorist is stopped and asked about their immigration status. Agents do not need any suspicion to stop you and ask you questions at a lawful checkpoint, but their questions should be brief and related to verifying immigration status. They can also visually inspect your vehicle.

What do they check at US Customs?

In fact, the CBP assesses all people who arrive by airplane, overland vehicle, ship or on foot and want to enter the U.S. The job of U.S. customs agents is to search for banned agricultural products and counterfeit goods, but they also are trained to seize street and pharmaceutical drugs, illegal immigrants and ...

Do they search your bags at the border?

Most TSA officers are not commissioned law enforcement officers, and their role is to conduct screening of passengers, baggage and cargo. TSA screeners can search you and your baggage at screening checkpoints, but they cannot arrest you.

Nothing To Declare NZ S11E03 Customs Border Patrol Airport

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