Digital evidence recovery is a critical field within digital forensics, constantly evolving with new tools and techniques. Here are some of the latest and most recommended tools for digital evidence recovery, based on insights from Redditors:

General Digital Forensics Tools

• FTK Imager: A free tool for creating forensic images of drives. "First tool was FTK Imager. Spent time learning it by reading its official documentation."

• EnCase: A comprehensive forensic tool used for data acquisition, analysis, and reporting. "Started with EnCase and Cellebrite. Now use more Magnet and Cellebrite"

• X-Ways Forensics: Known for its efficiency and powerful features in data recovery and analysis. "Then moved to x-ways which I love and axiom which I think is too cumbersome and I don't like the interface"

• Magnet Axiom: A popular tool that combines artifacts from multiple sources into a single case file. "Learned on FTK, Encase, and X-Ways in school. Then over to Axiom with FTK as a backup once I got landed a spot."

Mobile Forensics Tools

• Cellebrite UFED: A leading tool for extracting and analyzing data from mobile devices. "For mobile devices, it was Cellebrite UFED."

• Magnet Cellebrite Inseyets: Provides deep insights into mobile device data. "Current Shop is an X-Ways shop. We also use Axiom, Recon ITR and Recon Lab, Cellebrite Inseyets."

Specialized Tools

• Velociraptor: A powerful open-source endpoint monitoring and digital forensics tool. "Collections at scale - Velociraptor or the like"

• Kape: A toolkit for collecting and processing artifacts from Windows, Linux, and macOS. "FTK, leverage different EDRs mostly, kape, velociraptor and currently going through hawks.ps1 for azure acquisition of logs"

• Nirsoft Tools: A collection of small, free utilities for various digital forensics tasks. "These days I use Zimmerman tools mainly to quickly pull out artefacts and do a more focussed examination that way. X-ways is there for filtering, hashes, directory searches, keywords etc. I also use Nirsoft occasionally."

Educational and Community Resources

• DFIR Discord Server: A community with numerous resources and experts. "Join the DFIR discord server and have your account verified via your LE email."

• NW3C Training: Free training for law enforcement on digital forensics. "NW3C has a lot of LE trainings you can take advantage of for free."

• 13Cubed YouTube Channel: Offers valuable insights and tutorials on digital forensics. "13Cubed has good resources. Many praise it alongside SANS GIAC"

Considerations

• Certifications: While certifications can be helpful, practical experience and continuous learning are often more valued. "Get some certificates and when you have an interview, make sure you can speak to AT A MINIMUM all things Windows."

• Legal and Ethical Implications: Ensure that any tools and methods used comply with legal standards and ethical guidelines. "The issue here becomes will your tool stand up to a court of law."

For more personalized advice and community support, consider visiting these subreddits:

• r/digitalforensics

• r/computerforensics

• r/datarecovery