This CHFI practice question tests your understanding of computer forensics fundamentals and process. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A first responder arrives at a crime scene where a computer is turned on. What should the responder do FIRST?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "first"
Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
Run antivirus software to check for malware
Why wrong: Running software alters evidence.
Immediately disconnect the power cord
Why wrong: Disconnecting power may destroy volatile evidence.
Copy all files from the hard drive
Why wrong: Imaging should occur after proper documentation and preservation.
Photograph the scene and document everything
Documentation is critical before any action.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Photograph the scene and document everything
Option D is correct because the first priority at a live crime scene is to preserve the state of the evidence through proper documentation and photography. This ensures an accurate record of the computer's condition, including screen contents, peripheral connections, and environmental context, before any volatile data is lost or altered. The CHFI methodology emphasizes that documentation precedes any seizure or data acquisition steps to maintain chain of custody and evidentiary integrity.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Run antivirus software to check for malware
Why it's wrong here
Running software alters evidence.
Immediately disconnect the power cord
Why it's wrong here
Disconnecting power may destroy volatile evidence.
Copy all files from the hard drive
Why it's wrong here
Imaging should occur after proper documentation and preservation.
Photograph the scene and document everything
Why this is correct
Documentation is critical before any action.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
EC-Council often tests the misconception that immediate power disconnection is the safest action to prevent data alteration, but the trap is that this destroys volatile evidence and can trigger encryption lockouts, whereas proper documentation and live response preserve the most fragile data first.
Detailed technical explanation
Under the hood, volatile data resides in RAM (e.g., encryption keys, open network sockets, process lists) and is lost within seconds of power loss. The order of volatility (RFC 3227) dictates that memory and network state must be captured before powering down. In a real-world scenario, a first responder might encounter a system running full-disk encryption (e.g., BitLocker or FileVault); disconnecting power would lock the drive, making data unrecoverable without the key that was present in RAM.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the CHFI exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Computer Forensics Fundamentals and Process — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
Computer Forensics Fundamentals and Process practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
All CHFI questions
1,000 questions across all exam domains
Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator CHFI study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
CHFI practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Practise CHFI questions linked to Computer Forensics Investigation Process.
Practise CHFI questions linked to Computer Forensics Fundamentals and Process.
Practise CHFI questions linked to Storage Forensics and File System Analysis.
Practise CHFI questions linked to Incident Response and First Responder Skills.
Practise CHFI questions linked to Computer Forensics Lab.
Practise CHFI questions linked to Evidence Acquisition and Duplication.
Practise CHFI questions linked to OS and Network Forensics.
Practise CHFI questions linked to OS and File System Forensics.
Practise CHFI questions linked to Application, Email and Cloud Forensics.
Practise CHFI questions linked to Mobile and Malware Forensics.
Practise CHFI questions linked to Network and Cloud Forensics.
Practise CHFI questions linked to Database and Application Forensics.
Practice this exam
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Computer Forensics Fundamentals and Process — This question tests Computer Forensics Fundamentals and Process — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Photograph the scene and document everything — Option D is correct because the first priority at a live crime scene is to preserve the state of the evidence through proper documentation and photography. This ensures an accurate record of the computer's condition, including screen contents, peripheral connections, and environmental context, before any volatile data is lost or altered. The CHFI methodology emphasizes that documentation precedes any seizure or data acquisition steps to maintain chain of custody and evidentiary integrity.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Yes — watch for: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Last reviewed: Jun 30, 2026
This CHFI practice question is part of Courseiva's free EC-Council certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the CHFI exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.