- A
Shut down the server, remove the disk, connect it to a write-blocker, and acquire the disk image using FTK Imager; RAM is lost but disk acquisition is verified.
Why wrong: Shutting down loses volatile data, which may be critical for the investigation.
- B
Use FTK Imager over the network to acquire RAM first, then use dd to image the disk to the external drive via write-blocker.
Why wrong: RAM acquisition over network is slow and may not be feasible with 64 GB RAM; also dd does not automatically compute hashes.
- C
Run win32dd locally to capture RAM to the external drive, then use FTK Imager over the network to create a physical disk image with verification.
win32dd captures RAM locally quickly; FTK Imager over network can image the disk with hash verification.
- D
Use dd over netcat to acquire RAM and disk simultaneously, then compute hashes separately.
Why wrong: dd over netcat for RAM is unreliable and slow; hashing must be done separately, increasing risk of error.
Quick Answer
The correct answer is to run win32dd locally to capture RAM to the external drive, then use FTK Imager over the network to create a physical disk image with verification. This sequence follows the order of volatility in forensic evidence acquisition, which dictates that the most volatile data—system memory (RAM)—must be captured first before any less volatile data, such as the hard drive, because RAM contents are lost the instant the system loses power or is shut down. On the CHFI exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the Locard’s Exchange Principle applied to live system forensics, where the examiner must balance evidence integrity with minimal system disruption. A common trap is choosing to capture the disk image first or using network-based RAM acquisition, which would either destroy volatile evidence or be impractical due to bandwidth constraints. Remember the mnemonic “RAM before Disk, Local before Network” to lock in the correct priority for volatile data collection.
CHFI Evidence Acquisition and Duplication Practice Question
This CHFI practice question tests your understanding of evidence acquisition and duplication. 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.
You are a forensic investigator responding to a data breach at a financial institution. The compromised server is a Windows Server 2019 running a custom trading application. The server is still powered on and connected to the production network. The incident response team has instructed you to acquire forensic evidence while minimizing downtime. The server has 2 TB of storage with 500 GB used. You have a forensic workstation with a write-blocker and an empty 2 TB external drive. The server's RAM is 64 GB. You need to acquire both volatile data (RAM) and a forensic image of the disk. However, the legal team requires a verified bit-for-bit copy with cryptographic hash verification. Additionally, the server's performance is critical; acquiring RAM via network is not feasible due to bandwidth constraints. Which of the following is the best course of action?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"best"Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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
Run win32dd locally to capture RAM to the external drive, then use FTK Imager over the network to create a physical disk image with verification.
Option C is correct because it prioritizes capturing volatile RAM first using win32dd (a memory acquisition tool) locally to the external drive, which preserves the most volatile evidence before any shutdown or network transfer. After RAM capture, FTK Imager over the network creates a verified physical disk image, satisfying the legal requirement for cryptographic hash verification while minimizing downtime. This approach avoids the risk of losing RAM data (as in shutdown) and avoids bandwidth constraints (as in network RAM acquisition).
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.
- ✗
Shut down the server, remove the disk, connect it to a write-blocker, and acquire the disk image using FTK Imager; RAM is lost but disk acquisition is verified.
Why it's wrong here
Shutting down loses volatile data, which may be critical for the investigation.
- ✗
Use FTK Imager over the network to acquire RAM first, then use dd to image the disk to the external drive via write-blocker.
Why it's wrong here
RAM acquisition over network is slow and may not be feasible with 64 GB RAM; also dd does not automatically compute hashes.
- ✓
Run win32dd locally to capture RAM to the external drive, then use FTK Imager over the network to create a physical disk image with verification.
Why this is correct
win32dd captures RAM locally quickly; FTK Imager over network can image the disk with hash verification.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use dd over netcat to acquire RAM and disk simultaneously, then compute hashes separately.
Why it's wrong here
dd over netcat for RAM is unreliable and slow; hashing must be done separately, increasing risk of error.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
EC-Council often tests the misconception that network-based RAM acquisition is always feasible or that shutting down the server is acceptable, but the trap here is that candidates overlook the bandwidth constraint and the critical need to preserve volatile data before disk imaging.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
win32dd (now often superseded by DumpIt or Magnet RAM Capture) uses a kernel driver to read physical memory directly, writing a raw memory dump to a file; it is designed for live Windows systems and can output to an external drive via a write-blocker to ensure integrity. FTK Imager over the network uses a TCP/IP connection to create a logical or physical image with built-in hash verification (MD5/SHA1), but it requires the target to have the FTK Imager Agent running; this method is suitable for disk imaging when network bandwidth is adequate, but RAM acquisition over the same link would be too slow for 64 GB of RAM. The key subtlety is that RAM must be captured first because it is volatile, and local capture avoids network bottlenecks.
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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CHFI question test?
Evidence Acquisition and Duplication — This question tests Evidence Acquisition and Duplication — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Run win32dd locally to capture RAM to the external drive, then use FTK Imager over the network to create a physical disk image with verification. — Option C is correct because it prioritizes capturing volatile RAM first using win32dd (a memory acquisition tool) locally to the external drive, which preserves the most volatile evidence before any shutdown or network transfer. After RAM capture, FTK Imager over the network creates a verified physical disk image, satisfying the legal requirement for cryptographic hash verification while minimizing downtime. This approach avoids the risk of losing RAM data (as in shutdown) and avoids bandwidth constraints (as in network RAM acquisition).
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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 →
Same concept, more angles
2 more ways this is tested on CHFI
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. You are a forensic examiner responding to a data breach incident at a medium-sized company. The incident response team has identified a Windows Server 2019 that may contain evidence of unauthorized access. The server is running and logged in with administrative privileges. The server has 32 GB of RAM, a 1 TB SSD (bitlocker encrypted, but unlocked), and is connected to the corporate network. The server is running several critical business applications, and the IT manager asks you to minimize downtime. You have a forensic workstation with write blockers, a hardware acquisition tool, and various software tools. What is the best course of action to acquire evidence while preserving integrity and minimizing downtime?
hard- A.Use a network acquisition tool like Guymager to image the drive over the network
- ✓ B.Dump RAM and capture network connections, then create a logical image of the SSD using FTK Imager while the server remains on
- C.Immediately power off the server, remove the SSD, and image it using a hardware write blocker
- D.Pull the power cord, remove the SSD, and use a forensic bridge to image the drive
Why B: Option B is correct because it prioritizes capturing volatile data (RAM and network connections) first, which would be lost on shutdown, then creates a logical image of the unlocked BitLocker SSD while the server remains online to minimize downtime. This approach preserves the integrity of volatile evidence and allows critical business applications to continue running, aligning with the IT manager's request to minimize downtime.
Variation 2. You are a forensic investigator responding to a suspected data breach at a financial institution. The incident response team has isolated a Windows 10 workstation used by a former employee. The system is still powered on, and the login screen is displayed. Your task is to acquire forensic evidence in a defensible manner. The following actions are available: A. Immediately pull the power cord to perform a cold acquisition of the hard drive. B. Capture volatile data (RAM, network connections, running processes) using a trusted tool on a USB drive, then shut down normally and remove the hard drive for imaging. C. Boot the system from a forensic live CD and create a forensic image of the hard drive while the system is running. D. Use the built-in Windows backup to create a system image to an external drive. Which action is the most appropriate first step in this scenario?
hard- A.Use the built-in Windows backup to create a system image to an external drive
- ✓ B.Capture volatile data using a trusted tool on a USB drive, then shut down normally and remove the hard drive for imaging
- C.Boot the system from a forensic live CD and create a forensic image of the hard drive while the system is running
- D.Immediately pull the power cord to perform a cold acquisition of the hard drive
Why B: Option B is correct because the system is still powered on with the login screen displayed, meaning volatile data (RAM, network connections, running processes) is present and will be lost if the system is powered off. Capturing this data first using a trusted forensic tool (e.g., FTK Imager or DumpIt) from a write-blocked USB drive preserves critical evidence such as encryption keys, active network connections, and malware in memory. Only after volatile data is secured should the system be shut down normally and the hard drive removed for forensic imaging, ensuring a defensible chain of custody.
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.
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