Which tool is commonly used for disk imaging in digital forensics?

FTK Imager is a widely recognized tool used for disk imaging in digital forensics. Disk imaging is the process of creating a bit-for-bit copy of a hard drive or any storage device, preserving all data, including deleted files and unallocated space. This is crucial in forensic investigations as it allows investigators to analyze the data without risking alteration or destruction of the original evidence.

FTK Imager provides several useful features, such as the ability to create images in various formats (including E01 and raw formats), the option to verify the integrity of the data through hashing, and the capability to preview files within the image prior to analysis. It’s designed specifically for forensic purposes, making it a preferred choice among professionals in the field.

Other tools listed may serve different purposes within the realm of digital forensics. For instance, EnCase is a robust forensic suite that includes various functions, including disk imaging, but is more comprehensive in scope. Wireshark is primarily a network protocol analyzer used for capturing and analyzing network traffic. Autopsy is a digital forensics platform used for analyzing disk images but does not specialize primarily in the imaging process itself, as FTK Imager does.