Question: The development of a forensic lab for computers and mobile devices involves numerous specialized tools.? 1. Describe

Software Tools for Digital Forensics Labs

Three software tools digital forensics labs might employ include The Sleuth Kit, Mac-Daddy, and the CRCMd5 Data Validation Tool. The Sleuth Kit is a UNIX-based analysis tool and is unique in that it does not depend upon on the operating system to perform examination activities such as viewing hidden and deleted drive content. Mac-Daddy is a tool designed to examine Macintosh computers based on the Coroner’s Toolkit. Mac-Daddy can be used in a fixed or mobile forensic lab and is a Mac time collector. Lastly, the CRCMd5 Data Validation Tool may be used as the first forensic tool used by investigators to protect the integrity of evidentiary media. This tool applies a hash to the original and copies of media generating a unique number for each file on the media providing a means to identify whether the contents of the media were altered. And then there are the two most well-known tools, FTK and Encase. These are arguable considered to be “the best” in this arena. FTK is made by Access Data and is a court-accepted digital investigations platform that is fast, effective and scalable. In addition, there is a wealth of open source digital forensics tools. See  https://www.sleuthkit.org/  for more information in this regard. Encase is a similarly effective product produced by Guardian Software. Similar to FTK, Encase lets digital forensics analysts acquire data from a wide variety of devices, unearth potential evidence with disk level forensic analysis, and create comprehensive reports on their findings, all while maintaining the integrity of their evidence. There are excellent You Tube demonstrations of both of these products.

So, it is clear that a crucial aspect when developing a forensic lab is the cost involved, including the work space and office areas needed, as well as test equipment, supplies, training, personnel, and other requirements. While “an entry-level system of forensic hardware and software can be purchased for less than $20,000,” it may prove more cost effective to seek the use of an existing forensics lab, such as the Engineering Research Facility in Quantico, Virginia as published by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Smaller law enforcement entities frequently avail themselves of this option due to the costs of initially establishing their own digital forensics lab as well as the regular upkeep of this facility and it’s personnel. It can easily cost in excess of $500,000 to maintain a small digital forensics lab, not including initial setup costs.

Hardware Tools for Professional Forensics Labs

Also, when considering the hardware tools required for a professional forensic lab, these productions can be either hardware or software based, or both and are imaging products for the hard drives being investigated. Logicube and Intelligence Computer Solutions (ICS) are two companies that offer such hardware-/software-based solutions. The Logicube system supports hard drive duplication and computer forensics systems. They are in use by a wide variety of organization types. ICS offers products that perform hard disk duplication and their primary product is the Image Master Solo2 System, with a large complement of interfaces and cables. In conclusion, there is now a wealth of both software and hardware/software suites available now to choose from. You simply develop your list of requirements including cost and then use those to select the most appropriate toolset.

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