Integrated computer forensics investigation process model (ICFIPM) for computer crime investigations

Abstract

Contrary to traditional crimes for which there exists deep-rooted standards, procedures and models upon which courts of law can rely, there are no formal standards, procedures nor models for digital forensics to which courts can refer. Although there are already a number of various digital investigation process models, these tend to be ad-hoc procedures. In order for the case to prevail in the court of law, the processes followed to acquire digital evidence and terminology utilised must be thorough and generally accepted in the digital forensic community. The proposed novel process model is aimed at addressing both the practical requirements of digital forensic practitioners and the needs of courts for a formal computer investigation process model which can be used to process the digital evidence in a forensically sound manner. Moreover, unlike the existing models which focus on one aspect of process, the proposed model describes the entire lifecycle of a digital forensic investigation.