What role does system imaging play in forensics?

System imaging in forensic investigations involves creating a bit-by-bit copy of a storage device’s entire contents, including the operating system, files, and metadata. This imaging process ensures that the original evidence remains intact and unaltered for analysis. It allows investigators to examine the data without affecting the original device, enabling a thorough investigation while maintaining the integrity of the evidence. System imaging is crucial in preserving digital evidence to establish a chain of custody, analyze the data for malware, track user activities, and recover deleted information. Additionally, these images serve as a reference point for further forensic analysis and can be used as evidence in legal proceedings.