Equipping a digital forensic lab on a budget

Digital forensic laboratory is indispensable in supporting the investigative process and performing forensically sound investigations. In order to perform efficient investigations, the laboratory must be designed properly. Hence, purchase of proper yet expensive the hardware and software equipment is necessary. In this paper, we demonstrate that Law Enforcement agencies can create and maintain a digital forensic lab with a relatively small budget. Computer and mobile device forensic science examinations can be completed utilizing inexpensive hardware and/or software solutions. A suggested list of the essential items is provided for the reader. While this paper is intended to help smaller police departments create digital forensic labs consisting of one or two examiners, agencies of all size can scale their labs to greater size utilizing these options. Enhancing lab capabilities, including advanced forensic techniques, will increase the budget needed to equip such a lab.