Digital forensics (sometimes Digital forensic science) is a branch of forensic science encompassing the recovery and investigation of material found in digital devices, often in relation to computer crime.[1][2] The term digital forensics was originally used as a synonym for computer forensics but has expanded to cover all devices capable of storing digital data and is now used to describe the entire field.[1] The discipline evolved in a haphazard manner during the 1990s and it was not until the early 2000s that national policies were created.
Investigations can fall into four categories. The most common category is forensic analysis, where evidence is recovered to support or oppose a hypothesis before a criminal court, this is closely related to intelligence gathering, where material is intended to identify other suspects/crimes. eDiscovery is a form of discovery related to civil litigation and intrusion investigation is a specialist investigation into the nature and extent of an unauthorized network intrusion. The technical side of investigations is divided into several sub-branches; computer forensics, network forensics, database forensics and mobile device forensics. Any number of the fields may be utilised in an investigation.
As well as identifying direct evidence of a crime, digital forensics can be used to attribute evidence to specific suspects, confirm alibis or statements, determine intent, identify sources (for example, in copyright cases) or authenticate documents.[3] Investigations are much broader in scope than other areas of forensic analysis (where the usual aim is to provide answers to a series of simpler questions) often involving complex time-lines or hypothesis.[4]
The digital forensic process encompasses the seizure, forensic imaging (acquisition) and analysis of digital media. Finally producing a report of the digital evidence for the courts or an employer. Computer devices tend to store large amounts of information in cache/log files and... [continues]
Investigations can fall into four categories. The most common category is forensic analysis, where evidence is recovered to support or oppose a hypothesis before a criminal court, this is closely related to intelligence gathering, where material is intended to identify other suspects/crimes. eDiscovery is a form of discovery related to civil litigation and intrusion investigation is a specialist investigation into the nature and extent of an unauthorized network intrusion. The technical side of investigations is divided into several sub-branches; computer forensics, network forensics, database forensics and mobile device forensics. Any number of the fields may be utilised in an investigation.
As well as identifying direct evidence of a crime, digital forensics can be used to attribute evidence to specific suspects, confirm alibis or statements, determine intent, identify sources (for example, in copyright cases) or authenticate documents.[3] Investigations are much broader in scope than other areas of forensic analysis (where the usual aim is to provide answers to a series of simpler questions) often involving complex time-lines or hypothesis.[4]
The digital forensic process encompasses the seizure, forensic imaging (acquisition) and analysis of digital media. Finally producing a report of the digital evidence for the courts or an employer. Computer devices tend to store large amounts of information in cache/log files and... [continues]
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