Answer:
Preserving the verifiable integrity of digital evidence is a crucial aspect of digital forensics. The process typically involves creating a forensic copy, often referred to as a bit-for-bit copy or a forensic image, of the original data or device. This copy is generated using specialized software to ensure that every bit of data is faithfully duplicated. By using cryptographic hash functions, such as MD5 or SHA-256, forensic experts can calculate a unique digital signature for both the original evidence and the copy. This hash value acts as a digital fingerprint, and any modification to the data, no matter how small, will result in a different hash value. To show that the original evidence is modified, forensic analysts can compare the hash value of the original evidence with the hash value of the copy. If they differ, it indicates that the original evidence has been altered in some way, which could have legal implications and impact the integrity of the evidence in court. Therefore, maintaining the integrity of the original evidence and demonstrating any potential modifications is fundamental in digital forensics to ensure the validity and trustworthiness of the evidence in legal proceedings.
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