CHFI Computer Forensics Fundamentals and Process Practice Question

A forensic examiner is testifying in a U.S. court about a disk image acquired from a suspect's computer. The defense attorney argues that the image is not admissible because it is a copy, not the original. The examiner explains that the image was created using a write-blocker and verified with SHA-256 hashes. Which legal principle supports the admissibility of the disk image?

⚠ Common exam trap

The trap here is assuming the Best Evidence Rule absolutely requires the original drive in court, overlooking that Rule 1003 allows duplicates under specific conditions.

Answer choices

Why each option matters

Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.

Correct answer & explanation

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The Federal Rules of Evidence, specifically Rule 1003 (Admissibility of Duplicates)

Federal Rule of Evidence 1003 permits duplicates to be admitted unless there is a genuine dispute about the original's authenticity or fairness concerns. The disk image, created with a write-blocker and verified by SHA-256 hashes, qualifies as a duplicate. Because the defense has not raised a specific authenticity challenge, the image can serve as evidence, provided the examiner can authenticate it and demonstrate the imaging process was reliable.

Answer analysis

Option-by-option breakdown

For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.

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The Federal Rules of Evidence, specifically Rule 1003 (Admissibility of Duplicates)
Why this is correct
Federal Rule of Evidence 1003 allows a duplicate to be admitted to the same extent as an original unless a genuine question is raised about the original's authenticity or the circumstances make it unfair to admit the duplicate. Here, the disk image is a duplicate created with a write-blocker and verified by SHA-256 hashes, ensuring its accuracy. The defense has not raised a specific authenticity challenge, so the duplicate is admissible.
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The Chain of Custody Doctrine
Why it's wrong here
Chain of custody is a documentation process that tracks evidence handling to ensure integrity. While essential for admissibility, it is not a legal principle that independently allows a copy to substitute for an original. In this case, chain of custody records would support the image's authenticity, but they do not provide the legal basis for admitting the duplicate instead of the original drive.
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The Best Evidence Rule
Why it's wrong here
The Best Evidence Rule generally requires the original document or recording to prove its content, but it has been adapted for digital evidence. It does not automatically make a copy admissible; rather, it requires a justification for why the original is not available. In this scenario, the original drive might be available, but the examiner is using the image. The Best Evidence Rule alone would not support admissibility without additional explanation.
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The Hearsay Rule
Why it's wrong here
The Hearsay Rule prohibits out-of-court statements offered to prove the truth of the matter asserted. Digital evidence like a disk image is not typically considered hearsay because it is generated by a machine process, not a person's assertion. Therefore, the Hearsay Rule is irrelevant to whether the image can replace the original drive in court.

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CHFI Computer Forensics Fundamentals and Process Practice Question

Why each option matters

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