Final answer:
The most likely method to succeed for firmware acquisition is using forensic memory acquisition techniques, which capture the executable firmware directly from the device's RAM without altering the data.
Step-by-step explanation:
If Michael wants to acquire the firmware from a running device for analysis, the method that is most likely to succeed would be to use forensic memory acquisition techniques. This method involves capturing the data directly from the device's RAM, where the firmware is actively running, to ensure that the firmware is copied in its executed form. To do this effectively, specialized tools and software are required that can interface with the live system and extract the pertinent information without altering it.
Attempting to shut down the system and boot to the firmware can result in loss of data, and copying it to a removable device might not capture the firmware in the state that Michael needs for his analysis. Using disk forensic acquisition techniques might not be suitable either because firmware is not always stored on a disk in a readily accessible manner, and might require interpretation of the code from hardware chips. Lastly, removing the firmware chip can be destructive, risks damaging the chip or the device, and may not provide the firmware in its executable form.