Which sequence lists the core stages of digital forensics: Identification, Collection, Analysis, Reporting, Imaging, and File Carving?

• A. Imaging, File Carving, Analysis, Identification, Collection, Reporting
• B. Identification, Collection, Analysis, Reporting, Imaging, File Carving
• C. Collection, Analysis, Identification, Imaging, Reporting, File Carving
• D. Analysis, Identification, Imaging, Collection, Reporting, File Carving

Answer: (B)

In digital forensics, evidence handling follows a clear, defensible progression from deciding what to examine to preserving the data, then analyzing it and documenting what was found, with specialized techniques used as you go deeper. The sequence starts by identifying the scope and sources, then collecting the relevant data with proper custody, moving into analysis to extract artifacts and meaning from what was gathered, and then producing a report that communicates the findings to stakeholders. After that, imaging is performed to create exact, unaltered copies of the data so the original remains pristine for verification and further examination, and file carving is a technique used within that preserved data to recover additional content that may not be immediately visible.

So, identifying what to examine sets the direction for collection. Collecting ensures you have all pertinent data while maintaining integrity. Analyzing allows you to interpret artifacts and build a narrative of what occurred. Reporting documents the conclusions and supports any required action or presentation. Imaging then creates exact copies of the evidence state for robust preservation and later review, and file carving leverages those copies to recover files based on data patterns, expanding what you can prove without touching the originals.