Deployment Kits

There are many tools and supplies that a forensic examiner needs to gather before heading to the crime scene. Some vendors offer kits with most everything an examiner needs for a typical scenario. What is contained in some of the stock kits? What other items might you need that are not included in the kit? Start your research with the resources below. Because tech is changing constantly, ask your instructor on ways to keep your knowledge current.

This is an area where a detailed checklist and a high level of organization can pay off. You need to be able to safely and securely transport your kit and potentially the evidence. The items you may need will comprise a very long list. Some of the things you will need include blank, formatted hard disks, a camera (with a fresh battery and plenty of room on internal storage), a forensic laptop that is fully charged and prepped with all software needed, write blockers, and cables of all shapes and sizes. Don’t forget the labels, Magic Markers, resealable zipper storage bag, and perhaps even rubber gloves should you choose not to touch the keyboard.

References

US Department of Justice. (2004). Forensic examination of digital evidence: A guide for law enforcement. https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/199408.pdf

VPER-Versatile Preservation & Examination Responder Kit. (n.d.). Digital Intelligence. http://www.digitalintelligence.com/products/vper/

Resources

For quick coverage, see the section on equipment in Preparation for Incident Response.

A hands-on demonstration video of The Seizure Environment: Imaging Best Practices, including tools useful at the scene and in the lab.

This resource offers comprehensive coverage of Investigative Uses of Technology: Devices, Tools, and Techniques, a start to your research on deployment kits. It’s a large resource, so try using Ctrl-F to search for key terms.

Check Your Knowledge

Choose the best answer to each question:
Question 1
What items below should you not include in your deployment kit?
markers and labels
camera
forensic computer
extra hard drives with unknown contents
Question 2
Checklists are helpful to ensure all items in your deployment kit are remembered and not left behind accidentally.
True
False