digital forensics tool is the science of recovering information from digital devices and media to support legal investigations. It has been around for nearly two decades now, with forensic labs employing digital forensics experts witnessing a phenomenal rise in demand for their services.
This form of forensic science is mostly used in computer crime cases or civil lawsuits. The digital forensics process involves data acquisition, analysis, and documentation, and it can be applied in any digital device and media. This blog will cover the basics of digital forensics, types of digital forensics analysis, common evidence found in digital forensics investigations, and how to collect digital evidence.
How to collect digital evidence?
The scope of digital forensics is vast and multifaceted. Digital evidence can be of two types - digital evidence found on a computer system and digital evidence collected from a device, such as a mobile phone or hard drive. In most cases, digital evidence can be collected from computers, mobile phones, digital cameras, digital media players, or any other electronic device.
To collect digital evidence from computers, first, you must understand the scope of the investigation and identify various sources of digital evidence on the computer system. You have to preserve the evidence in a manner that its original state cannot be altered by external factors such as temperature or humidity. As far as collecting digital evidence from a device is concerned, you must use forensic tools that are designed for that purpose. These tools help in analyzing the data and preserving it in ways that it cannot be altered or corrupted. You must document all findings for presentation in court or other proceedings.
Steps in conducting a digital forensic investigation
Digital forensic investigations are conducted to gather evidence that can be used to prove or disprove a suspicion or hypothesis related to digital crimes. The following are the steps involved in conducting a digital forensic investigation:
- Gathering evidence: This includes collecting anything and everything that may be relevant to the matter at hand, including computer files, emails, photos, videos, etc.
- Collecting electronic data: This refers to extracting data from computers and devices that have been damaged or infected with malware.
- Analyzing data: Once the evidence has been collected, it is analyzed for any clues that may help resolve the matter at hand. This might involve using various computer software tools to search for patterns or connections that were not previously visible.
Conclusion
The digital forensics process has evolved over time along with the digital forensics tool that investigators use to conduct their investigations. Digital forensics has evolved from being a reactive process to a process of proactive digital evidence collection and preservation. However, digital forensics is still at its nascent stage of development and more technological advancements are sure to follow. The digital forensic investigators of the future will surely have it easier as technology progresses. For those who want to learn digital forensic investigation, you can start by reading our ebook titled ‘The Basics of Digital Forensics: A Comprehensive Guide.’
