What are the basic steps for securing digital evidence from a computer or smartphone?

What are the basic steps for securing digital evidence from a computer or smartphone?

• A. Scene isolation, data imaging with write blockers, hashing, preserving volatile data, documenting chain of custody, and secure storage
• B. Routinely sharing the data with the media
• C. Deleting suspicious files to protect privacy
• D. Only imaging the device and discarding original

Answer: (A)

Securing digital evidence from a computer or smartphone hinges on preserving integrity and admissibility through a disciplined sequence of steps. Start by isolating the device from networks and other potential tampering sources to prevent remote changes. Then create a forensic image of the storage using a write blocker so the original data isn’t altered during collection, producing a bit-for-bit copy for analysis. Generate cryptographic hashes for both the original and the image to prove later that the copy matches exactly and remains unchanged. Capture volatile data from memory and live system state before powering down, since contents like RAM, running processes, and network connections can vanish and hold crucial clues. Document the chain of custody to show who handled the evidence and when, maintaining a clear, unbroken record. Finally, store the evidence securely with proper access controls and logging to protect it from tampering or loss. Practices like sharing data with the media, deleting suspicious files to protect privacy, or only imaging and discarding the original would compromise integrity and admissibility, which is why they don’t fit.