When should an MD5 hash check be performed when processing evidence?
When should an MD5 hash check be performed when processing evidence?
An MD5 hash check should be performed both before and after evidence examination. Before the examination, it establishes a baseline hash value to ensure the original evidence has not been altered. After the examination, a second hash check is done to verify that the evidence remained unchanged during the examination process. This double-check ensures the integrity of the evidence throughout the entire examination procedure.
The correct answer is C. Before and after evidence examination. An MD5 hash check is a digital fingerprinting technique used to verify the integrity of evidence. It's essential to perform an MD5 hash check: Before evidence examination: To create a baseline hash value of the original evidence, ensuring it hasn't been altered or tampered with. After evidence examination: To recalculate the hash value and compare it to the original baseline, verifying that the evidence hasn't been modified during the examination process. This ensures the integrity of the evidence and detects any potential tampering or changes.