CHFI Computer Forensics Fundamentals and Process Practice Question
This CHFI practice question tests your understanding of computer forensics fundamentals and process. Compare every option against the stated constraints before choosing — the best answer satisfies all requirements, not just the most obvious one. 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.
During an investigation, a forensic analyst must preserve a hard drive that is part of a RAID array. Which of the following is the MOST appropriate method to preserve the evidence?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Image each physical drive individually using a write blocker
Option C is correct because imaging each physical drive individually with a write blocker preserves the exact bit-for-bit state of every disk in the RAID array, including metadata, parity, and superblock information. This approach ensures that the logical volume can be reconstructed later in a controlled environment without altering the original evidence, which is critical for maintaining chain of custody and forensic integrity.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Power off the system and remove only the drive with the operating system
Why it's wrong here
All drives in the array are important; leaving some behind may lose evidence.
✗
Disconnect all drives and image a logical volume after the RAID controller
Why it's wrong here
Imaging after the controller may not capture metadata and could alter data.
✓
Image each physical drive individually using a write blocker
Why this is correct
This preserves each drive's contents without modification, maintaining the ability to reconstruct the array.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Rebuild the array in a different system and then image
Why it's wrong here
Rebuilding may alter data; it is not a preservation method.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
EC-Council often tests the misconception that imaging a logical volume or rebuilding the array is acceptable, but the trap here is that any operation that allows the RAID controller or OS to write to the drives (even during a read) can alter evidence, making individual physical imaging with a write blocker the only forensically sound method.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In RAID configurations, especially RAID 5 or 6, parity data is distributed across all drives, and the superblock contains array metadata such as stripe size and member order. Imaging each drive individually with a hardware write blocker (e.g., Tableau T35es) ensures that the ATA/SCSI commands sent are read-only, preventing any writes that could occur if the controller initializes or rebuilds the array. A real-world scenario is a failed RAID controller where forensic analysts must reconstruct the logical volume manually using tools like mdadm or ReclaiMe, relying on the raw images of each physical disk.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this CHFI question in full detail.
Computer Forensics Fundamentals and Process — This question tests Computer Forensics Fundamentals and Process — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Image each physical drive individually using a write blocker — Option C is correct because imaging each physical drive individually with a write blocker preserves the exact bit-for-bit state of every disk in the RAID array, including metadata, parity, and superblock information. This approach ensures that the logical volume can be reconstructed later in a controlled environment without altering the original evidence, which is critical for maintaining chain of custody and forensic integrity.
What should I do if I get this CHFI question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
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 →
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.
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.