Research Best Practices In Handling And Storing Digital Evid

Research Best Practices In Handling And Storing Digital Evidence

Research best practices in handling and storing digital evidence: Using your preferred Internet browser, perform a search for best practices in handling and storing digital evidence in a forensic investigation. Focus specifically on removable media. Using at least three credible references, prepare a one-paragraph summary of your findings, document your sources. include a title page and a references page. references page written in APA citation style.

Paper For Above instruction

In forensic investigations, the handling and storage of digital evidence—particularly removable media—require strict adherence to best practices to preserve the integrity and admissibility of evidence in court. It is vital to implement proper collection procedures, such as using write-blockers to prevent alteration of data and ensuring that evidence is documented meticulously through chain-of-custody forms (Casey, 2011). Proper storage involves maintaining evidence in secure, climate-controlled environments to prevent damage or tampering, with evidence stored in tamper-evident containers to maintain integrity. Additionally, digital evidence should be replicated through bit-by-bit imaging to prevent real-time manipulation and ensure that investigators work on copies rather than original media (Rogers, 2018). Overall, following established protocols like those outlined by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) enhances the reliability of digital evidence handling, promoting forensic soundness and judicial confidence (NIST, 2016). Adhering to these practices minimizes risks of contamination or loss, ultimately ensuring that digital evidence remains viable and credible in legal proceedings.

References

Casey, E. (2011). Digital evidence and computer crime: Forensic science, computers, and the law (3rd ed.). Academic Press.

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). (2016). Guidelines on Media Sanitization. NIST Special Publication 800-88 Rev. 1. https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-88r1

Rogers, M. K. (2018). Digital Evidence: A Critical Analysis of Handling Procedures. Journal of Digital Forensics, Security and Law, 13(2), 45–60.