Digital Forensics Investigations, Tools and Techniques | SysTools USA

Summary

In this engaging session on kitchen table forensics, Anurag Singh from SysTools demonstrates the process of creating a forensic image of a suspect's hard drive. The session covers key forensic tools, including write blockers, imaging software (FTK Imager), and hardware like USB 3.0 drives. Anurag explains how to maintain data integrity, ensuring that no changes are made to the source drive during the imaging process. The demonstration highlights best practices for forensic investigators, making complex procedures accessible and insightful for viewers.

Takeaways

• 😀 SysTools is a leading company in digital forensics and e-discovery, contributing significantly to the field in India and globally.
• 😀 SysTools offers solutions for secure data handling and accessibility across cloud computing and other technologies.
• 😀 The forensic process starts with hardware analysis, using tools like a SATA interface to remove and examine the suspect computer's drive.
• 😀 A forensic tool kit is essential, containing items like a spudger, screwdriver tips, and write blockers for safe data handling.
• 😀 Write blockers ensure that no data is written back to the suspect drive during forensic imaging, preventing evidence tampering.
• 😀 FTK Imager is a commonly used tool for creating forensic images of hard drives, offering a reliable and free solution for forensic examiners.
• 😀 Forensic imaging involves creating an exact replica of the suspect drive using software, with options for different image types like E01.
• 😀 Detailed case information, such as the case number and examiner, should be included when naming the image file and storing the data.
• 😀 The image creation process involves choosing the right destination for the image and selecting an appropriate fragment size, typically 4GB for FAT32 compatibility.
• 😀 The imaging process generates a series of E01 files, with corresponding metadata and hash values (MD5, SHA-1) for verification.
• 😀 Imaging speed can vary based on system setup and drive type, with an expected rate of around 100 MB/s, and the total process may take several hours depending on the drive size.

Q & A

What is the purpose of forensic imaging in digital forensics?

Forensic imaging is the process of creating a bit-for-bit copy of a suspect's hard drive to preserve the data exactly as it is, without altering it. This is critical for legal investigations where the integrity of the original data must be maintained for use in court.

Why is the chain of custody important in forensic imaging?

The chain of custody ensures that the evidence, in this case, the forensic image, has been handled properly from the moment it is collected, ensuring it remains untampered with and remains legally admissible in court.

What role do write blockers play in the forensic imaging process?

Write blockers prevent any data from being written back to the source drive during the imaging process, ensuring that no changes are made to the original data and maintaining the integrity of the evidence.

How does FTK Imager assist in the forensic imaging process?

FTK Imager is a software tool used to create forensic images of hard drives. It allows examiners to create a bit-for-bit copy of the source drive, while maintaining the integrity of the data by using hashing techniques such as MD5 and SHA-1.

What are the common image formats supported by FTK Imager?

FTK Imager supports several image formats, including RAW (uncompressed), SMART (not widely used), and E01 (the standard format used in forensic imaging due to its inclusion of metadata and integrity checks).

Why is it recommended to use E01 as the image format in forensic imaging?

E01 is recommended because it is an open-source format that includes metadata like hash values, case number, and examiner details, which help verify the integrity of the image and ensure that the forensic process is documented correctly.

What is the role of the destination drive in the imaging process?

The destination drive is where the forensic image will be stored. It is crucial to ensure that this drive has sufficient space and is formatted to accept the image files, which are often split into multiple chunks for easier storage.

What is the significance of using a 4GB chunk size for the forensic image?

The 4GB chunk size is often chosen because it is compatible with FAT32 formatted drives, which have a 4GB file size limit. This ensures that the image can be easily transferred and stored on such drives without issues.

Why is verifying the forensic image important during the process?

Verifying the forensic image ensures that the copied data matches the original source exactly, preserving its integrity. This verification is typically done using hash values (MD5, SHA-1) to ensure no changes were made during the imaging process.

What is the expected outcome after the forensic imaging process is complete?

After the forensic imaging process is complete, the outcome includes multiple image files (e.g., E01) along with a report that details the imaging process, case metadata, and hash values. This ensures that the image can be authenticated and used in legal proceedings.