Which tools are used for imaging?

The word digital is slowly proliferating every walks of life. The field of forensics and investigation is no exception. Computer forensics is now the new buzzword in the field of investigation. Law enforcement agencies are gradually understanding the importance of technology and hardware in the field of criminal proceedings. In forensics, the key is to ensure that all evidence are maintained in their original form as per the industry standards. To make sure that the original evidence is not tampered, it is best to create a copy or image of it. This is known as forensic imaging.

In computer forensics and investigations, imaging is a direct copy of the original physical storage device. It copies every bit and part of the physical device including free spaces. Forensic images not only include the existing visible files, but also the deleted ones. Forensic imaging is one part of computer forensics where computer hardware is used to present the evidence at the court of law. It ensures that the evidence remains tamper-proof. There are different hardware that is used to store a forensic image, but one has to make sure that the process used to create the image is correct and full-proof.

Advantages of forensic imaging

In computer forensic analysis, forensic imaging has many advantages. Over the decades, several tools have been developed to make sure that forensic imaging, especially live imaging is made more accurate. Here are the few benefits of forensic imaging:

• Creation of forensic images: A tool like Atola Taskforce can run on an automated program to create a forensic copy without any further manual intervention. A complete image of the internal storage device is created including an audit that involves keeping track of the model and a serial number of the system and all the details that a forensic expert would gather onsite.
• Create an image of the RAM: If you are going to execute live imaging, then an image of the RAM can also be created, giving you an idea of how the system has been used. This is a unique quality of live imaging—in a static approach, this data is lost when the system is closed.
• Bypass encryption: In computer forensic analysis encryption can be a huge hindrance to data capture and analysis. If you are using live imaging data encryption can be defeated once you log on to the system that would be encrypted. In static imaging, you need IT people to decrypt the protected codes.

A suitable tool for forensic imaging

Over the last decade, several tools have come into the market that are used for imaging in computer forensics and investigations. One of the most reliable devices in the market is Atola Taskforce. It is a high-performance forensic imaging tool. Its best feature is, it can create copies of both good and damaged media. The copy is created in such a manner that is suitable for forensic purposes. There are eighteen ports to this device that supports several drives like SDD, IDE, USB, and SATA. It also supports other storage devices using Apple, PCIe, Thunderbolt, and M.2 SDD extension modules. A unique feature of Atola Taskforce is that it is equipped with a RAID auto-detection module that enables it to reassemble RAID arrays and then image them.

You can use it as a standalone device or connect it to different users within a local network. The 10 GB ethernet connection ensures a fast connection to the network.

The bottom line

If you are into forensic imaging then grab your Atola Taskforce now! To get the true feel of the device and understand its potential, request a demo from Pelorus.