During an investigation, what should a technician do to maintain the chain of custody for a mobile device?

Maintaining the chain of custody is crucial during an investigation, particularly for mobile devices that may contain sensitive or critical data. The correct approach involves documenting the collection of the device and requiring a sign-off whenever possession changes.

This documentation serves as a formal record of who has handled the device, the dates and times of transfers, and the condition of the device when it was turned over. Each entry in this record helps to establish a clear and verifiable timeline, which is essential for ensuring that the evidence has not been tampered with, altered, or otherwise compromised throughout the investigation process. This rigorous documentation method helps protect the integrity of the evidence and supports its admissibility in court.

In contrast, while locking the device in a safe location provides physical security, it does not address the need for thorough documentation associated with the transfer of custody. Similarly, placing the device in a Faraday cage may help in preventing remote access or data alteration but does not assist in tracking changes in possession. Recording collection in a blockchain ledger offers an innovative approach but is not a standard practice recognized for maintaining chain of custody in traditional investigations. Thus, thorough documentation and sign-off procedures are the cornerstone of maintaining chain of custody for any evidence, including mobile devices.