Digital Forensic Certification Practice Exam

What method involves creating a cloned copy of the entire media to prevent contamination of original files?

1. Bit-stream imaging

2. Logical duplication

3. Raw acquisition

4. Data mirroring

The correct answer is: Bit-stream imaging

Bit-stream imaging is a critical method in digital forensics that involves creating an exact, bit-for-bit copy of the entire media, including all data and structures present. This approach preserves the integrity of the original evidence and prevents any alteration or contamination during the examination process. By using bit-stream imaging, forensic analysts can work on the cloned copy, allowing them to perform analysis and testing without risking the original data. It captures everything from the file system to unallocated space, ensuring that even deleted files can potentially be recovered for further investigation. This method is essential in maintaining the chain of custody and ensuring the admissibility of evidence in legal proceedings. It is widely recognized as a best practice in digital forensic investigations, as it adheres to standards for preserving evidence integrity. Other methods, like logical duplication or data mirroring, do not provide the same level of thoroughness and may overlook critical information found at the lower levels of the storage medium.