IY4S732 - Advanced Digital Forensics Techniques 01 Jul 2022 - 31 Aug 2028 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: IY4S732
Module Title: Advanced Digital Forensics Techniques
Faculty: Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science
Faculty Group: Cyber Security
Faculty Sub Group: Cyber Security
Module Leader: Rachael Medhurst
Module Team: Sharan Johnstone, Christopher Tubb, Mamoun Qasem, Nisha Rawindaran, Rachael Medhurst, Arun Kumar, Beth Jenkins, Richard Ward, Peter Eden, Joshua Richards, Emma Derbi, Madhu Khurana, Christopher Manley, Andrew Bellamy, Chelsea Cooper
First Intended Intake: SEP 2022 Final Year of Intake:
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 7
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100385 - computer forensics
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 01 Jul 2022
Valid To 31 Aug 2028

Module Aims

To critically evaluate and analyse at an advanced level, both practical and theoretical principles regarding digital forensics and data recovery for a range of sources

Content Summary

Introduction to Advanced Forensic Techniques/ OS forensics

  • Cloud Forensics – Magnet AXIOM
  • Linux Forensics P1 – SIFT Workstation
  • IoT Forensics
  • Anti-Forensic Techniques
  • Encryption –?Passware/Magnet Word List Generator/Encrypted Disk Detector/Hash Cat
  • Common Defence arguments – Malware Analysis/Remote Access
  • Role of an expert witness/appropriate standards/ethics


Particular emphasis will be made throughout the module to existing legal, social, professional and ethical
challenges that may arise during acquisition and investigation of such disparate devices.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 12
Tutorial 12
Practical classes and workshops 24
Independent Study 78
Directed Study 48
Formative Assessment - Scheduled 2
Interdisciplinary work 12
Problem / challenge based learning 12
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 To?critically evaluate and apply?digital forensic techniques concentrating on analysis, interpretation, and extraction of digital evidence on a range of sources
LO2 To?critically evaluate?at an advanced level the ability to investigate unfamiliar data sources using?appropriate tools?and techniques.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Report 1 Technical?Report?on Advanced Digital Forensic Techniques. 0 4000 100 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Report 1 ✔ ✔

Reading List

https://rl.talis.com/3/southwales/lists/D6C2A847-9ABA-21CB-C38C-6905EEAAA74D.html?lang=en&login=1

Essential Reading:

  • Bazzell, M, (2016), Open-Source Intelligence Techniques: resources for searching and analysing online information, (5th Edition), US, Independent Publishing Platform.
  • Forensic Focus, (2022), www.forensicfocus.com, (accessed 18/03/2022)
  • Ligh, H, M. and Case, A. (2014), The art of memory forensics: detecting malware and threats in Windows, Linux and Mac Memory, Indianapolis, John Wiley & Sons.
  • Magnet Forensics, (2022), www.magnetforensics.com, (accessed 18/03/2022)
  • Parasram, S, (2020), Digital Forensics with Kali Linux: Perform Data Acquisition, Data Recovery, Network Forensics and Malware Analysis with Kali Linux, (2nd Edition), Birmingham, Packt Publishing.