To preserve digital evidence, an investigator should ________.

To preserve digital evidence, an investigator should ________.

• A. make two copies of each evidence item using different imaging tools
• B. make a single copy to save time
• C. copy only to cloud storage
• D. avoid copying to preserve chain of custody

Answer: (A)

Preserving digital evidence hinges on creating independent, verifiable image copies so the original remains untouched and its integrity can be proven later. Making two copies using different imaging tools provides redundancy and helps detect tool-specific biases or errors. If both copies hash the same value and match the original, you’ve demonstrated bit-for-bit fidelity across independent processes, increasing confidence in the evidence. Having two tools also guards against a scenario where one imaging method fails to capture certain metadata or artifacts; the other copy may still preserve them intact. Throughout, use write-blockers to prevent modification of the source, compute and record hash values for each copy, and document the chain of custody for every item and copy. Why the other options don’t fit: creating only a single copy risks losing original data integrity if that copy is corrupted or flawed, and offers no independent verification. Copying only to cloud storage raises custody, access, and jurisdiction concerns and can complicate verification and recoverability. Avoiding copying to preserve chain of custody is counterproductive— preserving the original and its copies with documented handling is essential to maintaining admissibility and reliability.

Preserving digital evidence hinges on creating independent, verifiable image copies so the original remains untouched and its integrity can be proven later. Making two copies using different imaging tools provides redundancy and helps detect tool-specific biases or errors. If both copies hash the same value and match the original, you’ve demonstrated bit-for-bit fidelity across independent processes, increasing confidence in the evidence. Having two tools also guards against a scenario where one imaging method fails to capture certain metadata or artifacts; the other copy may still preserve them intact. Throughout, use write-blockers to prevent modification of the source, compute and record hash values for each copy, and document the chain of custody for every item and copy.

Why the other options don’t fit: creating only a single copy risks losing original data integrity if that copy is corrupted or flawed, and offers no independent verification. Copying only to cloud storage raises custody, access, and jurisdiction concerns and can complicate verification and recoverability. Avoiding copying to preserve chain of custody is counterproductive— preserving the original and its copies with documented handling is essential to maintaining admissibility and reliability.