Forensic Report: Examination Procedures (en)
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5. Digital Forensic Examination Procedures
Digital forensic examination procedures are a series of systematic steps taken to collect, analyze, and preserve digital evidence from a device or system. The goal is to obtain relevant information for an investigation, whether criminal, civil, or internal corporate.
5.1 Evidence Receipt
- Date and Time of Receipt: Accurate records of when evidence is received are crucial for maintaining the chain of custody and the integrity of the evidence.
- Condition of Evidence: Document the physical condition of the device (e.g., cracked, damaged, signs of tampering), as well as its power state (on, off).
- Initial Steps:
- Documentation: Make detailed notes of all device details, including brand, model, serial number, and included accessories.
- Photography: Take photos of the device from various angles before and after the examination. This is useful for documenting the initial condition and any changes that occur during the examination process.
- Video: Record a short video when unpacking the device to visually document the process.
5.2 Acquisition Process
- Acquisition Methods:
- Live Acquisition: Copying data directly from a device that is currently operational. This method is useful for capturing volatile data (easily lost) such as memory.
- Static Acquisition: Copying data from a device that has been powered off. This method is more commonly used because it does not disturb the device's condition.
- Disk Imaging: Creating a bit-by-bit copy of the entire storage medium. This is the most recommended method to maintain data integrity.
- Integrity Verification:
- Hash Value: Calculate the hash value of both the original data and its copy. Compare the two hash values to ensure that the copy made is identical to the original.
- Checksum: Calculate the checksum of the data to verify data integrity.
5.3 Data Analysis
- Types of Analysis:
- File System Analysis: Identifying the type of file system used, directory structure, and existing files.
- Network Analysis: Analyzing network activities previously performed by the device, including IP addresses, ports, and protocols used.
- Malware Analysis: Searching for the presence of malware, viruses, or other malicious programs.
- Email Analysis: Analyzing emails present on the device, including email content, attachments, and metadata.
- Web History Analysis: Analyzing the web browsing history previously conducted.
- Tools and Techniques:
- Forensic Tools: Utilizing various forensic software such as EnCase, FTK Imager, Autopsy, and Sleuth Kit.
- Scripting: Using programming languages like Python to perform more complex analyses.
5.4 Documentation
- Examination Report: Create a detailed report regarding the entire examination process, from evidence receipt to analysis results.
- Screenshots: Take screenshots of important analysis results.
- Log: Record all activities conducted during the examination process in a log file.
- Chain of Custody: Document the chain of custody of the evidence completely, including who held the evidence, when, and where.
Important: The entire examination process must be conducted according to established procedures and forensic ethical standards to maintain evidence integrity and avoid contamination.
Note: The explanation above provides an overview of digital forensic examination procedures. Actual procedures may vary depending on the type of device, operating system, and investigation objectives.