What should a digital forensics investigator do with evidence collected during an investigation?

In digital forensics, the highest priority is to maintain the integrity and authenticity of evidence. Securing, preserving, and documenting the evidence meticulously ensures that it remains unchanged and can be relied upon in legal contexts. This process involves creating a digital copy of the data and storing it in a secure environment to protect against tampering or loss. Additionally, proper documentation is essential, as it provides a clear chain of custody and helps establish the evidence's reliability in judicial proceedings. By following these steps, an investigator ensures that the findings can withstand scrutiny and support an accurate investigation outcome. This approach underscores the fundamentals of forensic work where maintaining evidence in its original state is critical to the integrity of the investigation and any subsequent legal actions.