In This Running Exercise We Will Go Through The Steps To Cre

In This Running Exercise We Will Go Through The Steps To Create And P

In this exercise, you are instructed to go through the process of creating and processing a new case in Axiom. The task involves setting up case files, loading evidence, applying keywords, searching archives, calculating hash values, categorizing artifacts, and analyzing evidence. The process culminates in processing the case and obtaining a report with the results. Your objective is to follow all the specified steps meticulously, ensure the case is fully processed, and submit a screenshot of the completed case dashboard showing the processing results.

Paper For Above instruction

The procedural workflow described in this exercise exemplifies the standard methodology employed in digital forensic investigations using Axiom. This comprehensive process ensures meticulous case management, thorough evidence analysis, and reliable outcome documentation, which are crucial for investigative integrity and legal admissibility.

Initiation of a forensic case within Axiom begins with creating a structured environment for evidence analysis. The investigator starts by establishing a dedicated folder titled “Justine_Beaufort” on the desktop, which serves as the central repository for all case-related data. Launching Axiom, the investigator creates a new case labeled “01_JustineBeaufortCase,” selecting the appropriate case type, such as Major Crimes. The folder paths for case files and acquired evidence are specified, with particular attention to pointing these paths to the created “Justine_Beaufort” directory, facilitating organized storage and retrieval of digital assets.

Critical to the process is the accurate addition of evidence sources. The investigator loads evidence from relevant image files, specifically locating and selecting the “Lab – Full Case Process” and “Lab-Chat Image Files” folders, and choosing the primary image “JustineBeaufort.E01.” Ensuring all partition copies are selected guarantees comprehensive analysis of all data segments. The evidence is then renamed to descriptive labels, such as “Item 1: WD hard drive of suspect,” which streamlines tracking and referencing throughout the investigation.

The next phases involve configuring search parameters to enhance evidence discovery. The addition of keyword lists, exemplified by “owlKeywords.txt,” refines the search process, enabling targeted data retrieval within the evidence set. Enabling searches for archives and mobile backups ensures cross-platform data extraction, encompassing compressed files and backup images often encountered in diverse digital environments.

Hash value calculation is a fundamental step to verify data integrity, supporting forensic soundness. By activating hash calculations and applying relevant hash sets—including non-relevant file detection lists—investigators can filter out irrelevant artifacts and concentrate on pertinent evidence pieces. Categorization of chats for grooming or sexual content is deliberately omitted in this case, aligning with the investigation’s scope. Instead, picture and video categorization, along with optional hash sets from Project Vic or custom sources, aid in classifying multimedia artifacts.

The addition of Computer Artifacts, particularly cloud-based artifacts like Dropbox, facilitates the collection of cloud-stored data if user credentials are available. In this scenario, no passwords are entered, but the process remains adaptable based on case specifics. Ultimately, the analysis phase involves reviewing all selected evidence sources, assessing their relevance and completeness before initiating the processing step.

The final step in this workflow involves executing the evidence analysis, which processes the case data within Axiom. This phase may be time-consuming, often spanning several hours, depending on the case volume and system capabilities. Once completed, the investigator must capture a screenshot of the fully processed case dashboard that displays the results, confirming successful case processing and data extraction.

In summary, this procedural outline outlines a structured approach for digital forensic investigators employing Axiom. It emphasizes careful case setup, methodical evidence loading, targeted searches, integrity checks, artifact categorization, and thorough analysis. Mastery of these steps ensures comprehensive evidence collection, maximizes investigative efficiency, and supports the credibility of the findings in judicial proceedings.

References

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