Building a Digital Forensic Laboratory

Chapter 4. Scoping the Requirement for the Laboratory

Introduction

This chapter draws upon the experience of the authors to provide guidance on how to scope out the various requirements of a laboratory. This will include guidance on the potential throughput, the number of staff, and the quantity and type of equipment required to satisfy the anticipated workload.

The first assumption that can be made is that no matter what type of laboratory is being set up, the overriding need to maintain the forensic process is paramount. If you are thinking of setting up a laboratory that aspires to anything less than this, you are not setting up a digital forensics laboratory. Ultimately, even a routine compliance case may yield illicit materials or illegal ...