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Digital Investigation Process

Definition

Digital Forensic is a branch of Forensic Science that focuses on identifying, acquiring, processing, analysing and reporting data stored electronically in a forensic manner to be accepted in a court of law.

Types of forensic investigations

  1. Normal police investigation — digital devices are part of evidence, but the crime was not carried solely via those devices.
  2. Cybercrime investigation — digital devices were used to commit the crime and form the core of the investigation.

Investigation phases

  1. Data acquisition
  2. Evidence preservation
  3. Evidence analysis
  4. Evidence presentation and reporting

DF first responder

Officers trained to collect and preserve digital forensic evidence from the crime scene.

Chain of Custody

A chain of custody is established and documented during this stage. Each time evidence changes hands, it is noted next to a description of that piece of evidence at that point in time.

Documentation and reporting

  • Documentation serves two purposes: internal case transfer and court presentation
  • Documentation must be detailed enough for others to replicate all findings
  • Reports must specify exact programs and versions used for examination
  • Court reports include: title page, table of contents, executive summary (1–2 pages), introduction, detailed analysis, background, methods, conclusions, and findings
  • Evidence must be validated with literature support, not just tool outputs
  • Investigators cannot simply state a tool found evidence — must provide technical validation through research papers or documentation

Sample chain of custody

[Diagram — add to assets/ if available]