Using purpose-built functions and block hashes to enable small block and sub-file forensics

Abstract

This paper explores the use of purpose-built functions and cryptographic hashes of small data blocks for identifying data in sectors, file fragments, and entire files. It introduces and defines the concept of a “distinct” disk sector—a sector that is unlikely to exist elsewhere except as a copy of the original. Techniques are presented for improved detection of JPEG, MPEG and compressed data; for rapidly classifying the forensic contents of a drive using random sampling; and for carving data based on sector hashes.