Homegrown devices make crime scene data extraction easier
KUALA LUMPUR: From data extraction to detailed reports and ensuring that information is admissible as court evidence, Malaysian digital forensic investigators often face a daunting task when gathering data from devices found at crime scenes.
Data duplication and extraction devices are available, but the cost of importing just one device could set authorities back by at least RM10,000.
Cybersecurity Malaysia has developed a solution – two affordable digital forensic products that will not only allow investigators to preserve data gathered at a crime scene, but also provide output that can be used in the litigation process.
The Kloner, a device about the size of an iPad Mini, is a lightweight portable external storage duplicator that comes with cloning, imaging and wiping capabilities.
Another useful device is the PenDua, a portable digital document duplicator in the shape of a USB pendrive, which contains forensic duplicator software that can copy data from a suspect’s computer.
Cybersecurity Malaysia chief executive officer Datuk Dr Amirudin Abdul Wahab said investigators would usually have to bring a suspect’s digital device back to their lab, run extraction, filter the files and then come up with a report – a process that could take days.
“Our machines simplify the process by allowing investigators to extract the data at the crime scene itself without having to take the computer back to their lab first.
“The best part is the result of the entire process is good enough to be admissible in court, which saves investigators the job of having to painstakingly document each process at the scene.
“Not only are the Kloner and PenDua portable and lightweight, they are also easily chargeable. All you need is a power bank and cable,” he said.
The machines can take between five minutes and 13 hours to conduct data extraction and generate reports, depending on storage capacity and the amount of data processed.
“We target to get these products in the commercial market sometime next year.
“The price of the products depends on the storage and processing capacity, but the range is estimated to be between RM1,000 and RM6,000,” Dr Amirudin said.