On Integrating Mobile Applications into the Digital Forensic Investigative Process

Abstract

What if a tool existed that allowed digital forensic investigators to create their own apps that would assist them with the evidence identification and collection process at crime scenes? First responders are responsible for ensuring that digital evidence is examined in such a way that the integrity of the evidence is not jeopardized. Furthermore, they play a pivotal part in preserving evidence during the collection of evidence at the crime scene and transport to the laboratory. This paper proposes the development of a mobile application that can be developed for or created by a first responder to assist in the identification, acquisition, and preservation of digital evidence at a crime scene. Keywords—mobile device forensics; digital forensics; forensic process, forensic models; MIT App Inventor I. INTRODUCTION Digital Forensics involves the identification, preservation, collection, examination, and analysis of digital devices. These devices include, but are not limited to, digital cameras, flash drives, computers, internal and external memory drives, mobile devices, etc. Some mobile devices that can be examined include graphic tablets, cell phones, smart phones, CDs, DVDs, and MP3s. Digital evidence has to be collected under certain parameters as to maintain the integrity of the investigation. This process is referred to as a forensic process. While there is not a concrete set of rules for the forensic process there are models that have been proposed to aid in trying to eliminate damage and contamination that can occur at crime scenes. This paper identifies the types of damage and contamination that can occur at crime scenes when inexperienced first responders arrive at the scene; in addition, we discuss the models that address the preservation and acquisition of evidence at crime scenes, and also explore possible solutions to aid first responders in utilizing techniques to preserve digital evidence at the scene of the crime. In this paper, we propose the development and implementation of a mobile application that first responders can create and use as a guide when identifying, preserving, collecting, and securing evidence. As a result, this application would be useful in assisting first responders during the acquisition process of a digital forensics investigation.