Assessment item 2
Assignment 2 - Tasks and Forensics Report
Value: 30%
Due date: 19-May-2017
Return date: 09-Jun-2017
Submission method options
Alternative submission method
Task
Task 1: Recovering scrambled bits (5 Marks)
For this task I will upload a text file with scrambled bits on the Interact site closer to the assignment
due date. You will be required to restore the scrambled bits to their original order and copy the plain
text in your assignment.
Deliverable: Describe the process used in restoring the scrambled bits and insert plain text in the
assignment.
Task 2: Revealing hidden information from an image (5 Marks)
For this task I will provide an image with hidden information in it. You will be required to reveal the
hidden information.
Deliverable: Describe the process used to reveal the hidden information from the image and copy the
revealed information in the assignment in plain text.
Charles Sturt University Subject Outline
ITC597 ****** SM I-28 January 2017-Version 1 Page 9 of 17
Task 3: Forensics Report (20 Marks)
In this major task assume you are a Digital Forensics Examiner. Considering a real or a hypothetical
case you are required to produce a formal report consisting of facts from your findings to your attorney
who has retained you. You are free to choose a forensics scenario which can be the examination of a
storage media (HDD, USB Drive, etc), email or social media forensics, mobile device forensics, cloud
forensics or any other appropriate scenario you can think of.
Deliverable: A forensics report of 1800-2000 word.
Rationale
This assessment task covers data validation, e-discovery, steganography, reporting and presenting,
and has been designed to ensure that you are engaging with the subject content on a regular basis.
More specifically it seeks to assess your ability to:
determine the legal and ethical considerations for investigating and prosecuting digital
crimes
analyse data on storage media and various file systems
collect electronic evidence without compromising the original data;
evaluate the functions and features of digital forensics equipment, the environment and the
tools for a digital forensics lab;
compose technical tactics in digital crimes and assess the steps involved in a digital forensics
investigation;
prepare and defend reports on the results of an investigation
Marking criteria
Task 1: Recovering scrambled bits (5 Marks)
Criteria HD
100% - 85%
DI
84% - 75%
CR
74% - 65%
PS
64% - 50%
Successfully
recovering the
scrambled bits to
their original order
(5 marks)
Scrambled bits are
restored to the
original text. Tool
used to decode the
text is mentioned and
justification to use
the tool is also
provided. The
process to restore the
scrambled bits is
clearly described
with screenshots
inserted of all steps.
Scrambled bits are
restored to the
original text. Tool
used to decode the
text is mentioned but
the justification is
not very clear. The
process to restore the
scrambled bits is
described with some
screenshots.
Scrambled bits are
restored to the
original text. Tool
used to decode the
text is mentioned but
the justification is
not very clear. The
process to restore the
scrambled bits is
described but no
screenshots
provided.
Scrambled bits are
restored to the
original text. No
justification of tool
used is provided,
process seems to
be somewhat vague.
Scrambled bits are
restored but not
matching with the
original text. Tool is
not mentioned and
process is not
described.
Possible marks 5.0 – 4.25 4.24 – 3.75 3.74 – 3.25 3.24 – 2.5
Task 2: Revealing hidden information from an image (5 Marks)
Criteria HD
100% - 85%
DI
84% - 75%
CR
74% - 65%
PS
64% - 50%
Successfully
revealing hidden
text from an image
Hidden text is
revealed. Tool used
to reveal the text is
Hidden text is
revealed. Tool used
to reveal the text is
Hidden text is
revealed. Tool used
to reveal the text is
Hidden text is
revealed. No
justification of tool
Hidden text is
revealed but not
matching with the
Charles Sturt University Subject Outline
ITC597 ****** SM I-28 January 2017-Version 1 Page 10 of 17
(5 marks) mentioned and
justification to use
the tool is also
provided. The
process to reveal the
text is clearly
described with
screenshots inserted
of all steps.
mentioned but the
justification is not
very clear. The
process to restore the
text is described with
some screenshots.
mentioned but the
justification is not
very clear. The
process to restore the
text is described but
no screenshots
provided.
used is provided,
process seems to
be somewhat vague.
original text. Tool is
not mentioned and
process is not
described.
Possible marks 5.0 – 4.25 4.24 – 3.75 3.74 – 3.25 3.24 – 2.5
Task 3: Forensics report (20 Marks)
Criteria HD
100% - 85%
DI
84% - 75%
CR
74% - 65%
PS
64% - 50%
Introduction:
Background, scope
of engagement, tools
and findings
(3 marks)
All elements are
present, well
expressed,
comprehensive and
accurate.
All elements are
present and largely
accurate and well
expressed.
All elements are
present with few
inaccuracies.
Most elements are
present possibly with
some inaccuracies.
Possible marks 3.0 – 2.55 2.54 – 2.25 2.24 – 1.95 1.94 – 1.5
Analysis: relevant
programs,
techniques, graphics
(5 marks)
Description of
analysis is clear and
appropriate programs
and techniques are
selected. Very good
graphic image
analysis.
Description of
analysis is clear and
mostly appropriate
programs and
techniques are
selected. Good
graphic image
analysis.
Description of
analysis is clear and
mostly appropriate
programs and
techniques are
selected.
Reasonable graphic
image analysis.
Description of analysis
is not completely
relevant. Little or no
graphics image
analysis provided.
Possible marks 5.0 – 4.25 4.24 – 3.75 3.74 – 3.25 3.24 – 2.5
Findings:
specific
files/images, type of
searches, type of
evidence, indicators
of ownership
(5 marks)
A greater detail of
findings is
provided. Keywords
and string searches are
listed very
clearly. Evidence
found is very
convincing. Indication
of ownership is very
clear.
Findings are
provided, keywords
and string searchers
are listed. Evidence is
sound. Ownership is
clear.
Findings are
provided, some
keywords are
listed. Evidence is
reasonable which
relates to the
ownership.
Findings are provided
but are somewhat
vague. Keywords
and strings are not
very clear. Evidence
found may be
questionable.
Possible marks 5.0 – 4.25 4.24 – 3.75 3.74 – 3.25 3.24 – 2.5
Conclusion:
Summary, Results
(3 marks)
High level summary
of results is provided
which is consistent
with the report.
Well summarised
results and mostly
consistent with the
findings.
Good summary of
results.
Able to relate the
results with findings.
No new material is
included.
Satisfies the minimum
requirements. Results
are not really
consistent with the
findings.
Possible marks 3.0 – 2.55 2.54 – 2.25 2.24 – 1.95 1.94 – 1.5
References:
Must cite references
to all material used
as sources for the
content
(2 marks)
APA 6th edition
referencing applied to
a range of relevant
resources. No
referencing errors.
Direct quotes used
sparingly. Sources all
documented.
APA 6th edition
referencing applied to
a range of relevant
resources. No more
than 2 referencing
errors.
Direct quotes used
sparingly. Sources all
documented.
APA 6th edition
referencing applied
to a range of relevant
resources. No more
than 3 errors. Direct
quotes used
in-context. Sources
all documented.
APA 6th edition
referencing applied
to a range of relevant
resources.
No more than 4 errors.
Direct quotes used
in-context. Some
sources documented.
Charles Sturt University Subject Outline
ITC597 ****** SM I-28 January 2017-Version 1 Page 11 of 17
Possible marks 2.0 – 1.7 1.6 – 1.5 1.4 – 1.3 1.2 – 1.0
Glossary /
Appendices:
(2 marks)
Glossary of technical
terms used in the
report is provided
which has generally
acceptable source of
definition of the terms
and appropriate
references are
included. Relevant
supporting material is
provided in
appendices to
demonstrate the
evidence.
Glossary of technical
terms used in the
report is provided
which has mostly
acceptable source of
definition of the
terms and appropriate
references are
included. Some
supporting material is
provided in
appendices to
demonstrate the
evidence.
Glossary of some
technical terms used
in the report is
provided which has
mostly acceptable
source of definition
of the terms and
appropriate
references are
included. Some
supporting material
is provided in
appendices to
demonstrate the
evidence.
Glossary of some
technical terms
used in the report is
provided however
terms are not generally
common and some
references are
missing. Some
supporting material is
provided in
appendices.