What does the term "data carving" mean in the context of digital forensics?

Data carving refers to the process of recovering files from unallocated space on a storage device by identifying and using file signatures to reconstruct those files. When a digital device is used, data is written to specific locations on a storage medium. Over time, files may be deleted or modified, which can create unallocated space. Despite this space being marked as available, remnants of files can often be found within it.

The process of data carving does not rely on the file system structure because it works directly with the raw data. Instead of using metadata to locate files, data carving analyzes the byte patterns of the data itself, looking for recognizable signatures or headers that correspond to specific file types. This technique is crucial in digital forensics as it allows investigators to recover potentially valuable data that has been deleted or damaged, providing insight into user activities and preserving evidence that may be relevant to a case.

The other options relate to data handling but do not capture the essence of data carving within the realm of digital forensics.