The correct forensic technique is to perform a tail-log backup, then restore the full backup and all subsequent transaction log backups, stopping before the DROP TABLE statement. This works because SQL Server’s full recovery model logs every transaction, allowing point-in-time recovery to a specific moment—here, just before the destructive DDL command. The tail-log backup captures any transactions after the last scheduled log backup, ensuring no data loss, while the STOPAT or STOPBEFOREMARK clause lets you halt the restore process precisely before the DROP TABLE executes, preserving the table’s data and database consistency. On the CHFI exam, this tests your understanding of forensic database recovery under the full recovery model, a common scenario in incident response. A frequent trap is assuming a simple restore from a full backup will suffice, but that would lose all subsequent changes. Memory tip: think “Tail, Full, Logs, Stop—before the drop, the data won’t flop.”
CHFI Database and Application Forensics Practice Question
This CHFI practice question tests your understanding of database and application forensics. 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.
An organization uses Microsoft SQL Server 2019 with full recovery model. A database administrator accidentally executed a DROP TABLE statement. The transaction log was backed up immediately after the incident. Which forensic technique would allow the analyst to restore the dropped table?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "immediately / without restart"
Why it matters: Time or reboot constraint — the correct answer must take effect right away without requiring a reboot or reload.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Perform a tail-log backup, then restore the full backup and all subsequent transaction log backups, stopping before the DROP TABLE.
Option C is correct because, under the full recovery model, point-in-time recovery is required to undo the DROP TABLE. By performing a tail-log backup (to capture any transactions after the last log backup), then restoring the full backup and all subsequent transaction log backups with STOPAT or STOPBEFOREMARK to the moment just before the DROP TABLE, the analyst can recover the table without losing other transactions. This is the only method that preserves the dropped table's data while maintaining database consistency.
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.
✗
Restore the transaction log backup taken after the DROP TABLE and apply it to the database.
Why it's wrong here
That log includes the DROP, so the table would be dropped again.
✗
Use the RESTORE LOG statement with the NO_TRUNCATE option to recover the table.
Why it's wrong here
NO_TRUNCATE is used for tail-log backup, not for recovery of dropped objects.
✓
Perform a tail-log backup, then restore the full backup and all subsequent transaction log backups, stopping before the DROP TABLE.
Why this is correct
Point-in-time restore allows recovery to just before the drop.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "immediately / without restart" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Restore the most recent full backup and ignore subsequent transaction log backups.
Why it's wrong here
This would lose all changes after the full backup.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often think a simple transaction log restore (Option A) or a full backup restore (Option D) will suffice, failing to recognize that point-in-time recovery with a tail-log backup and STOPAT is required to skip the destructive DDL statement.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the full recovery model, SQL Server logs every transaction, including DDL statements like DROP TABLE. The tail-log backup (WITH NORECOVERY) captures the final log records after the last regular log backup, ensuring no data loss. The RESTORE LOG command with STOPAT or STOPBEFOREMARK uses the log sequence number (LSN) to halt recovery at a specific point, effectively skipping the DROP TABLE transaction while applying all prior changes. In real-world forensics, this technique is critical when an accidental DROP occurs and the database must be restored to a specific point in time without restoring from a full backup that may be hours old.
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 small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this CHFI question in full detail.
Database and Application Forensics — This question tests Database and Application Forensics — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Perform a tail-log backup, then restore the full backup and all subsequent transaction log backups, stopping before the DROP TABLE. — Option C is correct because, under the full recovery model, point-in-time recovery is required to undo the DROP TABLE. By performing a tail-log backup (to capture any transactions after the last log backup), then restoring the full backup and all subsequent transaction log backups with STOPAT or STOPBEFOREMARK to the moment just before the DROP TABLE, the analyst can recover the table without losing other transactions. This is the only method that preserves the dropped table's data while maintaining database consistency.
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: "immediately / without restart". Time or reboot constraint — the correct answer must take effect right away without requiring a reboot or reload.
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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