The answer is 1 GB. This is calculated by taking the total number of sectors shown in the `dstat` output—2,097,152—and multiplying it by the standard sector size of 512 bytes, yielding 1,073,741,824 bytes, which converts to exactly 1 GB (1024 MB). The `fsstat` and `dstat` commands from The Sleuth Kit provide file system and disk statistics, and on the CHFI exam, this calculation tests your ability to interpret raw forensic output rather than relying on a tool’s summary. A common trap is forgetting that sector size defaults to 512 bytes unless otherwise specified, or mistakenly using 1000-based decimal units instead of 1024-based binary units. To remember, think “sectors times 512 equals bytes, then divide by 1024 three times for GB.”
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.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
# fsstat /dev/sdb1
FILE SYSTEM INFORMATION
--------------------------------------------
File System Type: NTFS
Volume Serial Number: 1234ABCD5678EF90
Volume Name: Evidence
Number of MFT Records: 1024
MFT Record Size: 1024 bytes
# dstat /dev/sdb1
DETAILS OF DISK STATISTICS
--------------------------------------------
Total Sectors: 2097152
Sector Size: 512 bytes
Cluster Size: 4096 bytes
Free Clusters: 524288
Refer to the exhibit. An investigator runs fsstat and dstat on a captured image. What is the total capacity of the volume?
Refer to the exhibit.
# fsstat /dev/sdb1
FILE SYSTEM INFORMATION
--------------------------------------------
File System Type: NTFS
Volume Serial Number: 1234ABCD5678EF90
Volume Name: Evidence
Number of MFT Records: 1024
MFT Record Size: 1024 bytes
# dstat /dev/sdb1
DETAILS OF DISK STATISTICS
--------------------------------------------
Total Sectors: 2097152
Sector Size: 512 bytes
Cluster Size: 4096 bytes
Free Clusters: 524288
A
512 MB
Why wrong: This is half the correct capacity; perhaps confusing sector size.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
1 GB
The `fsstat` and `dstat` commands from The Sleuth Kit (TSK) provide file system and disk statistics. In the exhibit, `dstat` shows the total disk size as 2097152 sectors, and each sector is 512 bytes. Multiplying 2097152 × 512 = 1073741824 bytes, which equals exactly 1 GB (1024 MB). This is the total capacity of the volume.
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.
✗
512 MB
Why it's wrong here
This is half the correct capacity; perhaps confusing sector size.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
1 MB
Why it's wrong here
This is too small; MFT record count times record size gives 1 MB, which is irrelevant.
✗
4 GB
Why it's wrong here
This incorrectly multiplies total sectors by cluster size (2097152 * 4096 = 8 GB, not 4 GB).
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
EC-Council often tests the candidate's ability to multiply sectors by sector size correctly, and the trap here is that candidates may misread the sector count or forget that the default sector size is 512 bytes, leading them to pick 512 MB (confusing the sector size with total capacity) or 4 GB (multiplying by 2048 instead of 512).
Trap categories for this question
Similar concept trap
This is half the correct capacity; perhaps confusing sector size.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, `dstat` reports the total number of sectors in the disk image, and `fsstat` confirms the file system type and layout. The sector size is typically 512 bytes for legacy MBR disks, though modern 4K native drives use 4096-byte sectors. In forensic imaging, the total capacity is always calculated as sectors × sector size, and this calculation is critical for verifying image integrity and determining storage allocation for evidence.
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.
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: 1 GB — The `fsstat` and `dstat` commands from The Sleuth Kit (TSK) provide file system and disk statistics. In the exhibit, `dstat` shows the total disk size as 2097152 sectors, and each sector is 512 bytes. Multiplying 2097152 × 512 = 1073741824 bytes, which equals exactly 1 GB (1024 MB). This is the total capacity of the volume.
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.
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Question Discussion
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