28. Introduction to Digital Forensics
28.1 What Digital Forensics Is
Digital forensics is the scientific process of identifying, preserving, analysing and presenting digital evidence – in a way that stands up in court or in a formal investigation.
Where it is used:
- Cyber crime investigations (fraud, hacking, data theft).
- Incident response – after a breach, finding what the attacker did (ties into Part 11).
- Corporate cases – policy violations, insider misuse, data leaks.
- Legal disputes – recovering and verifying digital records.
The forensic mindset is the opposite of the attacker's: slow, careful, documented, and reproducible. Another examiner following your steps must reach the same result.
Ravindra Bagale's Tip
Forensics mhanje "delete zaleli file parat aanne" evadhech nahi. To ek shastrashuddha, documented process aahe – konta purava, kuthun, kevha, koni gola kela, sagla lihun thevaycha. Ha shistbaddhpana nasel tar purava court madhe tikat nahi.
Practice task
In your notes, list four places digital forensics is used, and write one line on why the process must be documented and reproducible.