Digital Forensics

Overview

Digital forensics involves the preservation, identification, extraction, documentation, and interpretation of computer media for evidentiary purposes and root cause analysis.

Types of Forensics

1. Memory Forensics (RAM)

• Running processes
• Network connections
• Open files
• Malware in memory
• Encryption keys

2. Disk Forensics

• Deleted files
• File system analysis
• Timeline analysis
• Hidden data
• Partition recovery

3. Network Forensics

• Packet capture
• Connection logs
• Traffic analysis
• Protocol analysis

4. Mobile Forensics

• Call logs
• Messages
• App data
• Location history

Key Concepts

Chain of Custody

Digital Forensics Evidence Workflow

flowchart TD
    A["🚔 Evidence Seized"] --> B["📝 Documented"]
    B --> C["🔐 Stored Securely"]
    C --> D["🔬 Analyzed"]
    D --> E["⚖️ Returned or Presented in Court"]

    %% Styling
    classDef stage fill:#2c3e50,color:#ffffff,stroke:#0b1a2a,stroke-width:2px;
    class A,B,C,D,E stage;

Write Blockers

• Hardware write blockers
• Software write blockers
• Prevents evidence tampering

Imaging Types

• Physical: Bit-for-bit copy
• Logical: Files and folders only
• Live: Running system capture

Forensic Workflow

Digital Forensics Process

flowchart TD
    A["📥 Acquire"] --> B["✅ Verify"]
    B --> C["🔍 Analyze"]
    C --> D["📝 Report"]
    D --> E["⚖️ Present"]

    %% Supporting actions
    A --> A1["💾 Create Forensic Image"]
    B --> B1["🔑 Hash Verification"]
    C --> C1["🛠️ Forensic Tools"]
    D --> D1["📄 Document Findings"]
    E --> E1["🏛️ Court Presentation"]

    %% Styling
    classDef main fill:#34495e,color:#ffffff,stroke:#1b2631,stroke-width:2px;
    classDef support fill:#d6eaf8,color:#000000,stroke:#2e86c1,stroke-width:1.5px;

    class A,B,C,D,E main;
    class A1,B1,C1,D1,E1 support;

Best Practices

1. Never work on original evidence
2. Document every keystroke
3. Use verified tools
4. Maintain integrity with hashes
5. Follow legal procedures