A digital forensic investigator is examining a computer system suspected to contain evidence of unauthorized access. In this context, which principle is critical for the investigator to adhere to during the investigation?

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BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

Question and options are:
- a. Sharing investigation findings publicly before the court trial
- b. Documenting and maintaining the integrity of the evidence
- c. Conducting the investigation without proper authorization
- d. Altering or modifying the evidence to support a specific hypothesis

Option a: Sharing investigation findings publicly before the court trial would compromise the confidentiality and admissibility of evidence, potentially tainting the judicial process and violating chain-of-custody and disclosure rules. This undermines impartiality and could jeopardize the case.

Option b: Documenting and maintaining the integrity of the evidence is a core principle in digital forensics. It ensures that evidence remains reliable, admissible, and traceable from collection through presentation in court. Proper documentation supports chain of custody, repeatability, and verifiability of findings, which are essential for a credible investigation.

Option c: Conducting the investigation without proper authorization would violate legal and organizational policies, potentially leading to illegal access concerns and lack of legitimacy. Investigations require authorization to ensure legality and proper scope, and proceeding without it can invalidate results.

Option d: Altering or modifying the evidence to support a specific hypothesis is a form of contamination and fraud. It destroys the integrity of the evidence, misleads the forensic process, and is unethical and illegal. Forensic practices demand preserving original data and avoiding manipulation.

Overall, option b stands out as the fundamental principle that preserves evidence integrity and reliability during a digital forensic investigation, while the other options describe actions that would compromise legality, ethics, or evidentiary value.

Introduction to Security and Forensic Technologies (CT046-3-1-ISFT-25-RESIT)

A digital forensic investigator is examining a computer system suspected to contain evidence of unauthorized access. In this context, which principle is critical for the investigator to adhere to during the investigation?

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