In digital forensics, what does the term 'extraction' refer to?

Extraction in digital forensics specifically describes the process of pulling relevant data from a digital image or data source, such as a hard drive or a memory card. This is a critical step in forensic investigations, as it allows forensic experts to isolate pertinent information that can be used as evidence in legal proceedings, while avoiding alterations to the original data.

The extraction process typically involves imaging the entire storage medium to create a bit-for-bit copy, followed by analyzing that copy to identify and retrieve the data of interest. The goal is to ensure the integrity and authenticity of the evidence while complying with forensic practices and standards.

In contrast, the rebuilding of deleted files focuses on recovering lost data rather than simply extracting existing information. Encoding data for storage refers to methods used to prepare data for storage, which does not fall under the retrieval aspect of digital forensics. Writing data to a new medium pertains to the transfer or backup of data but does not align with the definition of extraction, which is concerned with retrieving data from an existing source.