Forensic Tool

Type: Concept

As of November 2026, Forensic Tool has been mentioned in one podcast episode on 48 Hours (Nov 2025). DNA is explicitly described as a forensic tool whose evolution re-opened and advanced the cold case investigation.

During the 1980s, most digital forensic investigations consisted of "live analysis", examining digital media directly using non-specialist tools. In the 1990s, several freeware and other proprietary tools were created to allow investigations to take place without modifying media. This first set of tools mainly focused on computer forensics, although in recent years similar tools have evolved for the field of mobile device forensics. This list includes notable examples of digital forensic tools.