Secure Hashing Methods in Digital Forensics

Introduction: Explains how secure hashing ensures data integrity during digital forensic investigations.

Hash Function Basics: Describes how hash algorithms convert digital evidence into unique fixed-size values.

Role in Chain of Custody: Shows how hashing maintains evidence authenticity across every handling stage.

Collision Resistance: Highlights the importance of preventing two different inputs from producing the same hash.

Popular Hash Algorithms: Covers commonly used forensic algorithms like MD5, SHA-1, and SHA-256.

Hashing in Evidence Imaging: Explains how hashes verify that forensic copies exactly match original data.

Real-Time Hash Verification: Describes hashing performed during live data acquisition for instant integrity checks.

Challenges in Hashing: Points out issues like outdated algorithms and increasing risks of hash collisions.

Conclusion: Summarizes how secure hashing strengthens reliability and trustworthiness of forensic evidence.