Adapting FTK Imager CLI to Evolving Disk Environments

Practice Exams:

In digital forensics, imaging tools are crucial for preserving and analyzing data from various storage media. As disk technologies evolve—shifting from traditional mechanical hard drives to complex configurations like NVMe SSDs, hybrid drives, BitLocker-encrypted volumes, and RAID arrays—the challenges facing forensic professionals multiply. FTK Imager, developed by AccessData, is a widely respected tool in the field, and its Command-Line Interface (CLI) version is especially valuable for automating imaging tasks, performing headless operations, or integrating into forensic workflows.

This article series explores how to leverage the power of FTK Imager’s CLI to handle emerging disk technologies. In Part 1, we’ll introduce the CLI version of FTK Imager, review its core capabilities, and walk through the basic process of imaging a conventional disk. Later parts of the series will tackle challenges posed by encrypted disks, SSD wear-leveling, RAID configurations, and more.

Understanding FTK Imager CLI

FTK Imager CLI, often referred to as ftkimager.exe, is the command-line counterpart to the FTK Imager GUI. While the graphical version is ideal for user-friendly interaction, the CLI offers scriptability, speed, and flexibility, especially useful in remote or automated forensic environments.

Why Use the CLI?

There are several reasons forensic practitioners prefer using FTK Imager via the command line:

Automation: The CLI version allows for integration into scripts for batch processing or automated evidence collection.
Remote Access: When accessing systems over SSH or other terminal-based connections, the CLI is essential.
Low Overhead: GUI tools consume more system resources; CLI tools are leaner, often required in restricted or low-performance environments.
Repeatability: Commands and output can be logged and repeated precisely, ensuring consistency in forensic procedures.

Download and Setup

FTK Imager CLI is included with the standard FTK Imager package available from Exterro (formerly AccessData). After downloading and installing the full suite:

The CLI tool ftkimager.exe is located in the installation directory.
It can be copied to a USB drive or other media for use in field investigations.
It runs on Windows and is typically executed from an Administrator Command Prompt.

Ensure that the environment variable for the path is set or that you navigate directly to the tool’s folder when executing commands.

Basic FTK Imager CLI Syntax

The general syntax for imaging a disk is:

php-template

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ftkimager <source> <destination image path> <image type> [options]

Let’s break it down with a practical example. Suppose we want to create an E01 forensic image of physical disk 0:

bash

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ftkimager \\.\PhysicalDrive0 D:\Images\drive0.E01 E01 –compress 9 –evidence-number 001 –case-number 2025-DF001 –examiner-name “Jane Forensic” –description “Suspect laptop – SSD”

Key Parameters Explained:

\\.\PhysicalDrive0: Specifies the source disk.
D:\Images\drive0.E01: Destination path and filename.
E01: Type of image file to be created (E01 is an EnCase image format widely used in forensics).
–compress 9: Sets the maximum compression level.
–evidence-number, –case-number, –examiner-name: Metadata for case tracking.
–description: A textual description of the evidence.

Other optional flags include:

–verify: Automatically verify the image hash after imaging.
–hash: Choose hash type (md5, sha1, sha256).
–frag: Split image into segments (useful for FAT32 or DVD media).
–logfile: Specify a log file to store the imaging session’s output.

Imagining a Traditional HDD

Let’s begin by practicing on a traditional spinning disk (HDD). Forensic analysts often start with this type because of its predictable behavior and standard interfaces (usually SATA or USB).

Step-by-Step Process

Identify the Disk
Use diskpart, wmic diskdrive, or third-party tools like WinObj to find the correct physical drive designation (PhysicalDrive0, PhysicalDrive1, etc.).
Prepare Storage
Ensure the destination has enough free space. An uncompressed image will be the same size as the original disk; compressed images can be smaller but require processing time.

Run FTK Imager CLI
Execute your command carefully. For example:

bash
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ftkimager \\.\PhysicalDrive1 E:\Images\EmployeeLaptop.E01 E01 –compress 6 –evidence-number 002 –case-number HR2025 –examiner-name “Alex Smith” –description “Employee laptop HDD”

Monitor Imaging
FTK Imager CLI displays real-time status, showing read speed, progress, hash calculations, and errors, if any.

Verify Image
Us– -verify to perform automatic verification. This ensures the hash of the source matches the hash of the image.

bash
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ftkimager \\.\PhysicalDrive1 E:\Images\EmployeeLaptop.E01 E01 –verify

Check Logs and Hashes
Always inspect the generated log file and confirm hash values to validate the integrity of your evidence.

Limitations of Traditional Imaging

While traditional HDDs are straightforward, they represent only a small slice of modern forensic work. Many storage challenges now stem from:

Encryption: Disks encrypted with BitLocker or VeraCrypt prevent raw imaging unless decrypted or proper keys are provided.
SSDs: Solid-state drives introduce wear-leveling and TRIM functions that may render deleted data unrecoverable.
RAID/NVMe: Disks using RAID arrays or NVMe interfaces may not appear as standard devices to imaging tools.
Cloud-based Storage: Increasing use of virtual drives and cloud-hosted environments makes physical imaging less effective alone.

These challenges require a deeper understanding of hardware, encryption, and advanced forensic techniques—topics we’ll explore in future parts.

Advantages of CLI in Emerging Scenarios

The CLI version of FTK Imager offers multiple advantages when confronting modern storage issues:

Remote Execution: In volatile situations, CLI allows imaging over SSH or remote shells, reducing the risk of evidence loss.
Custom Scripting: Investigators can automate disk identification, logging, imaging, and verification in one script.
Minimal Interface Footprint: CLI tools can be executed in read-only environments or minimal-boot systems (like WinPE) without full Windows support.

Best Practices for CLI Imaging

Write Protection
Always ensure write-blocking, either via hardware (write-blocker devices) or software (read-only mounting). FTK Imager respects Windows write protections, but it doesn’t prevent BIOS or firmware-level modifications.
Hash Everything
Use SHA-256 or SHA-1 and verify hashes both pre- and post-imaging. This step is critical in court-admissible digital forensics.
Maintain a Chain of Custody
FTK CLI allows insertion of case metadata directly into the image header, reducing dependency on external documentation.
Log and Audit
Save terminal output and use– logfile to keep a permanent record of the imaging process, which is essential during legal scrutiny.

Troubleshooting CLI Challenges

Problem: “Access Denied” Errors

Cause: FTK Imager must be run with administrative privileges to access raw disks.
Fix: Right-click Command Prompt and choose “Run as Administrator.”

Problem: “Invalid Drive Path”

Cause: You may have mistyped the source path, or the disk is encrypted/hidden.
Fix: Recheck the physical drive identifier using diskpart or wmic.

Problem: Incomplete Images or Read Errors

Cause: Failing drives often throw read errors.
Fix: Use imaging tools with built-in error handling, or retry with options that skip unreadable sectors and log them.

The command-line version of FTK Imager is a powerful ally for forensic practitioners facing both conventional and emerging disk technologies. Its flexibility and reliability make it indispensable for tasks where GUI tools may be impractical. In this first part of the series, we’ve covered the fundamentals of FTK Imager CLI, how to image a traditional hard disk, and how to prepare for common challenges.

In Part 1, we explored the basics of FTK Imager’s command-line interface and how to use it to image traditional hard drives. While imaging unencrypted drives is straightforward, today’s forensic landscape presents more complex scenarios, especially when it comes to encrypted volumes.

Encryption has become standard in modern computing environments. From Windows BitLocker to Apple FileVault, VeraCrypt, and hardware-based disk encryption, investigators must often confront locked volumes that resist traditional imaging techniques.

This second part of the series focuses on identifying, handling, and imaging encrypted disks using FTK Imager CLI, including preparation steps, live imaging strategies, and considerations for post-imaging analysis.

The Challenge of Encrypted Volumes

Encryption is designed to protect data confidentiality, even if the physical drive is stolen or accessed outside its host system. For forensic investigators, this means that: Imagining an encrypted disk as-is usually results in an unreadable blob of ciphertext.

Decryption keys or credentials are often required before or after imaging.
Some tools and workflows may be ineffective without live system access.

Therefore, working with encrypted disks requires a blend of technical awareness, legal understanding, and strategic timing.

Common Encryption Types Encountered

Before diving into techniques, it’s essential to recognize the encryption technologies most frequently encountered:

1. BitLocker (Windows)

Built into Windows Pro and Enterprise editions.
Can encrypt entire volumes.
Uses TPM, PINs, passwords, or USB keys for unlocking.
Encrypted volumes appear as raw, unreadable partitions unless decrypted.

2. FileVault (macOS)

Full-disk encryption for Macs.
Managed via the T2 chip or FileVault-enabled user accounts.
FileVault 2 encrypts APFS partitions using user credentials or tokens.

3. VeraCrypt/TrueCrypt

Open-source full-disk and volume encryption.
Uses containers or encrypts partitions directly.
It must be mounted with a password before the content is accessible.

4. Hardware-Based Encryption

Found in self-encrypting drives (SEDs).
Decryption occurs at the firmware level if credentials are available.
Often transparent during live usage but inaccessible outside host systems.

Imagining an Encrypted Volume: What Happens?

Let’s say you imagine a BitLocker-protected drive with FTK Imager CLI like this:

bash

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ftkimager \\.\PhysicalDrive1 D:\Images\bitlocker.E01 E01 –compress 6 –verify

You will get a valid E01 image, but the data inside will be encrypted. Without the proper recovery keys or access to a live, decrypted session, the image will not be useful in most investigations.

Important Note: FTK Imager does not decrypt volumes during imaging. It simply creates a sector-by-sector copy. If the disk is encrypted, you’re copying encrypted data.

Strategy 1: Image After Decryption (Live Imaging)

If the target disk is mounted and decrypted (e.g., the user is logged in), FTK Imager CLI can be used to capture the logical volume rather than the physical disk. This method allows the capture of decrypted content:

Example (BitLocker-unlocked Volume):

Identify the Volume Letter:
Use diskpart or wmic logicaldisk to find the correct volume (e.g., D:).
Image the Logical Volume:

bash

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ftkimager D: D:\Images\DecryptedVolume.E01 E01 –compress 6 –hash sha256 –verify

This command will capture the live, decrypted contents of the D: volume.

Pros:

Captures usable data.
Bypasses the encryption barrier if the system is already unlocked.

Cons:

Requires access to the live system.
Risk of data volatility or manipulation during runtime.
Must ensure the system isn’t altered during acquisition.

Strategy 2: Acquire Encrypted Image + Key Material

If you cannot perform live imaging, you can still capture the encrypted image and attempt to recover the decryption keys later using various methods:

Step 1: Acquire the Full Disk Image

bash

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ftkimager \\.\PhysicalDrive0 D:\Images\EncryptedDisk.E01 E01 –compress 6 –verify

Step 2: Collect Decryption Metadata

For BitLocker, this may include:

Recovery Key File: Often exported via manage-bde or found on enterprise network shares.
Key Package: Found in Windows’ C:\Windows\System32\Recovery folder.
TPM Data: If the system uses TPM, it may be necessary to extract TPM keys (difficult without access).

Step 3: Attempt Decryption in Lab

Once you have the encrypted image and recovery keys:

Use Mount Image Pro, X-Ways, or Elcomsoft Forensic Disk Decryptor to mount and decrypt.
BitLocker images can be unlocked in FTK, X-Ways, or Autopsy with the recovery key or password.

BitLocker: Practical CLI Workflow

Scenario: Laptop with BitLocker, User Logged In

Goal: Image the decrypted logical volume.

Identify the unlocked volume:

lua
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manage-bde -status

Run FTK Imager CLI:

bash
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ftkimager D: E:\Images\DecryptedUserVolume.E01 E01 –verify –description “BitLocker unlocked”

Capture the RAM using tools like DumpIt.exe to extract keys (optional but recommended).

FileVault Imaging (macOS)

On macOS, FTK Imager CLI is not natively available, but strategies mirror those used in Windows environments.

General Steps:

Boot into a live environment (MacQuisition, Paladin, etc.).
If FileVault is unlocked (user logged in or password entered), image the logical volume.
Alternatively, use T2 chip tools or M1/M2-compatible forensic workflows to extract decrypted content.

VeraCrypt Imaging

VeraCrypt volumes can be imaged either while mounted or as encrypted containers.

Mounted Volume Imaging:

If the volume is mounted and decrypted:

bash

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ftkimager X: D:\Images\VeraCrypt_Mounted.E01 E01 –verify

Where X is the assigned drive letter after mounting.

Imaging Encrypted Container:

bash

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ftkimager C:\Users\User\Documents\secret.vc D:\Images\EncryptedVC.E01 E01 –verify

This produces an image of the encrypted file. You’ll need the password later for analysis.

Best Practices for Encrypted Disk Imaging

Capture Memory
- RAM may contain encryption keys, especially if the system is active.
- Use memory dump tools before shutdown.
- Analyze RAM with Volatility or Rekall for potential keys.
Avoid Shutdowns
- Shutting down can lock encrypted drives or clear the PM.
- Prefer live imaging or hibernation analysis.
Preserve Decryption Material
- Look for recovery keys in cloud accounts, USB drives, or system folders.
- Interview custodians for PINs or passwords.
Document Everything
- Chain of custody, unlock state, disk status, and all interactions must be logged.
- Encrypted imaging must be clearly labeled to avoid confusion.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Imaging only encrypted volume without keys: Results in unreadable image unless keys are acquired.
Failing to validate unlock state: Assuming a volume is decrypted when it’s not leads to wasted effort.
Overwriting key material: Mishandling live systems may destroy the keys in RAM or hibernation files.

Imaging encrypted volumes requires a forensic investigator to be both technically adept and strategically patient. FTK Imager CLI remains a crucial tool in this space, especially when used in tandem with system knowledge, proper preparation, and a deep understanding of encryption mechanisms.

In this part, we explored multiple strategies for handling encrypted disks, including live logical imaging, capturing encrypted images, and recovering decryption keys. We emphasized the importance of timing, documentation, and memory analysis in dealing with encrypted environments.

Solid-state drives (SSDs) have become the standard storage medium across consumer laptops, enterprise systems, and mobile devices due to their speed, low power consumption, and durability. However, from a forensic perspective, SSDs introduce new challenges that traditional imaging tools and workflows, developed for spinning disks, were not designed to handle.

In this part of the series, we will explore how FTK Imager’s Command-Line Interface (CLI) handles SSDs, what forensic investigators need to know about SSD behavior (especially TRIM and wear-leveling), and how to develop effective strategies for preserving and acquiring evidence from these high-speed storage devices.

Understanding SSD Architecture and Behavior

Unlike traditional hard drives, SSDs store data on NAND flash memory chips. These chips have no moving parts and allow for rapid access to data. However, their underlying mechanisms complicate forensic acquisition:

1. TRIM Command

Modern operating systems use the TRIM command to notify the SSD which blocks of data are no longer needed (e.g., when a file is deleted).
TRIM allows the SSD to erase these blocks in the background, which improves performance, e—but it also prevents recovery of deleted files.

2. Wear-Leveling

SSDs distribute writes across the disk to avoid wearing out specific cells.
This means that logical sectors do not map directly to physical sectors.
Even a forensic image of the full logical volume may not reflect how or where data is physically stored.

3. Garbage Collection

SSDs perform background cleanup of unused space, potentially eliminating evidence from deleted sectors even if TRIM is disabled.

FTK Imager CLI and SSDs

FTK Imager CLI performs logical and physical acquisitions of drives, depending on how the source is specified:

\\.\PhysicalDriveX → Physical acquisition (sector-by-sector)
C: or D: → Logical acquisition (visible file system)

When dealing with SSDs, the logical view may not include deleted data due to TRIM, and even physical images may lack deleted sectors if the SSD’s firmware has already wiped them.

Basic SSD Imaging Command:

bash

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ftkimager \\.\PhysicalDrive0 D:\Images\SSD_Image.E01 E01 –compress 6 –hash sha256 –verify

Important Consideration:

While this command creates a bit-for-bit image, the result may not include recently deleted data, even though the image is complete from a logical standpoint.

Effects of TRIM on Forensics

The TRIM command is usually enabled by default in modern OS/SSD combinations (e.g., Windows 10/11 with NTFS on SSD). Once a file is deleted:

The OS marks the file as deleted.
The OS issues a TRIM command to the SSD for that block.
The SSD firmware clears that block in the background.

Result: Even a sector-by-sector image won’t contain the deleted data.

Confirming TRIM Status (Windows):

bash

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fsutil behavior query DisableDeleteNotify

DisableDeleteNotify = 0 → TRIM is enabled
DisableDeleteNotify = 1 → TRIM is disabled

If TRIM is enabled, deleted data is likely unrecoverable, even with advanced tools.

FTK Imager CLI Imaging Workflow for SSDs

Step 1: Identify the SSD

Use Windows tools like diskpart, wmic, or third-party utilities to determine which physical drive represents the SSD:

bash

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wmic diskdrive get index, model, interface type,mediatype

Look for SSDs listed under MediaType.

Step 2: Decide on Imaging Approach

Live logical image (e.g., drive C:) → Captures active data, files, and metadata.
Physical image (\\ PhysicalDriveX) → Captures entire addressable storage, but not raw NAND or erased blocks.

Step 3: Execute the Imaging Command

bash

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ftkimager \\.\PhysicalDrive1 E:\Images\LaptopSSD.E01 E01 –compress 9 –verify –description “SSD acquisition”

Step 4: Document TRIM and File System State

Use fsutil and system metadata to record TRIM settings.
Note the time of deletion (if applicable).
Record user activity and system uptime if available.

Can Deleted Data Still Be Recovered?

It depends on several conditions:

Possibly Recoverable:

TRIM was disabled or not supported (e.g., on older systems).
The SSD’s firmware had not yet wiped TRIMmed blocks.
The system was in sleep/hibernation mode and had not triggered garbage collection.
Deleted data was cached in system memory or slack space.

Likely Unrecoverable:

TRIM was enabled and processed.
SSD has overwritten the previously deleted blocks.
Garbage collection had time to complete before imaging.

In short: act quickly if there’s a chance of deleted data on an SSD.

Tips for Effective SSD Imaging

1. Minimize Booting and System Activity

Every write or login may trigger TRIM and background cleanup.
Use a forensic boot environment (e.g., WinPE) if possible.

2. Use Write Blockers or Read-Only Mounts

Prevent unintended writes that could destroy volatile data.

3. Capture RAM

SSDs may use RAM-based caches.
Decryption keys and temporary file data may reside in memory.

4. Document SSD Model and Firmware

Some SSDs behave differently regarding TRIM and data retention.
Documenting model numbers can help correlate forensic behavior.

5. Monitor SMART Data

Use tools to view SSD health and usage stats.
SSD wear-leveling counters and power-on hours provide context.

Live Imaging vs Dead Box Imaging on SSDs

Approach	Pros	Cons
Live Imaging	Access to decrypted, mounted filesystems	Data volatility, risk of overwrites
Dead Imaging	Minimal risk of altering data	May miss decrypted files, lose TRIMmed data

Combining both methods, when possible, provides a more complete picture.

Imaging NVMe SSDs with FTK Imager CLI

NVMe SSDs are connected over PCIe instead of SATA and offer much higher speeds. Fortunately, FTK Imager recognizes these drives similarly to SATA drives.

Detecting NVMe Drives

bash

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wmic diskdrive get index, model, interface type

Look for NVMe or PCIe-based interfaces.

Imaging Command Example:

bash

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ftkimager \\.\PhysicalDrive2 F:\Images\NVMe_Forensic.E01 E01 –compress 6 –verify –hash sha1

Note: NVMe drives may be inaccessible from older forensic boot disks. Ensure driver support is available.

When FTK CLI Isn’t Enough

There are cases where the standard FTK Imager CLI cannot provide access to hidden SSD artifacts:

Wear-leveling algorithms
Overprovisioned areas
Bad block pools

These areas are managed by the SSD controller and not exposed to the OS or standard imaging tools.

For advanced investigations, tools like PC-3000 SSD, X-Ways, or custom firmware analysis may be necessary.

Forensic Tools for SSD-Specific Analysis

While FTK Imager CLI is excellent for acquisition, SSD-specific analysis benefits from:

X-Ways Forensics: Detailed slack space and file system analysis.
EnCase: SSD image parsing and file carving.
Autopsy/Sleuth Kit: Open-source investigation of logical and physical images.
PC-3000 SSD: Hardware-level analysis and recovery of hidden NAND sectors.

These tools can be used after an FTK CLI acquisition to extend analysis capabilities.

Summary: SSD Forensics with FTK Imager CLI

Challenges:

TRIM removes deleted data permanently.
Wear-leveling obscures logical-physical mapping.
Background processes can erase evidence over time.

Solutions:

Acquire images as early as possible.
Prefer physical images but understand their limits.
Collect memory and system metadata for context.
Use FTK Imager CLI in tandem with advanced forensic tools.

Solid-state drives represent a significant shift in how data is stored and accessed. While FTK Imager CLI remains a trusted imaging tool, investigators must account for the unique behaviors of SSDs—especially TRIM and wear-leveling, which can dramatically impact evidence preservation.

In Part 3, we discussed how to properly image SSDs, when deleted data might be recoverable, and how FTK CLI can fit into broader SSD forensic workflows. While some limitations are inherent to the technology, proper planning, quick action, and tool integration can help mitigate data loss risks.

Forensic imaging is no longer limited to standalone, single-disk systems. In today’s enterprise and personal computing environments, investigators increasingly encounter complex storage configurations such as RAID arrays, hybrid storage systems, and virtual disks used in virtualization or cloud environments.

These setups introduce layers of abstraction that can make direct forensic acquisition more complicated—or even impossible—without proper preparation and tool support. In this final part of the series, we examine how FTK Imager CLI performs in these advanced storage environments, identify its limitations, and outline practical workarounds to support forensic goals.

RAID Configurations

RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) is a method of combining multiple physical drives into one logical unit to improve performance, redundancy, or both. Common RAID levels include:

RAID 0 (striping): High performance, no redundancy.
RAID 1 (mirroring): Redundant, but no performance gain.
RAID 5 (striped with parity): Balance between performance and redundancy.
RAID 10 (stripe + mirror): High performance and redundancy.

From a forensic perspective, the challenge is accessing the logical volume presented by the RAID controller. FTK Imager CLI does not reconstruct RAID at the hardware level; it can only image what the operating system exposes.

Scenario 1: Software RAID (OS-Managed)

If the RAID is managed by the OS (e.g., Windows Storage Spaces or Linux mdadm), and the system is bootable, FTK Imager CLI can image the logical volume like so:

bash

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ftkimager D: E:\Images\SoftwareRAID.E01 E01 –compress 6 –verify –hash sha256

This captures the entire assembled RAID volume.

Scenario 2: Hardware RAID (Controller-Managed)

If a hardware RAID controller is used (e.g., Dell PERC, Intel RST):

The operating system sees one logical volume (e.g., \\ PhysicalDrive0), even though multiple disks are involved.
FTK CLI can image this logical unit directly:

bash

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ftkimager \\.\PhysicalDrive0 F:\Images\RAID5.E01 E01 –compress 6 –verify

However, if the array is degraded or the controller is not recognized, the RAID may not mount. In such cases, forensic reconstruction of the RAID becomes necessary, typically using specialized tools like:

X-Ways Forensics (manual RAID reconstruction)
R-Studio Technician (automatic detection and reconstruction)
UFS Explorer (extensive RAID recovery tools)

FTK CLI is not capable of assembling raw RAID disks into a functional volume—it depends on the OS to present a coherent volume.

Tips for Working with RAID

Capture Controller Configuration
- Document RAID level, disk order, block size, and parity settings.
- BIOS screenshots or RAID utility exports are valuable.
Capture Disk Images Individually

In case of failed RAID assembly, image each disk with:

bash
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ftkimager \\.\PhysicalDrive1 D:\Images\Disk1.E01 E01 –verify

ftkimager \\.\PhysicalDrive2 D:\Images\Disk2.E01 E01 –verify

RAID Reconstruction in the Lab
- Use reconstructed parameters in forensic tools to reassemble the array virtually.
- Mount the resulting virtual image for analysis.

Hybrid Drives and Tiered Storage

Hybrid drives (SSHDs) combine a spinning hard drive with a small SSD cache to improve performance. Likewise, enterprise environments often use tiered storage, where hot data lives on SSDs and cold data on slower disks.

Forensic Implications:

Cached content may not be exposed to the OS or imaging tools.
FTK Imager CLI will image the main volume, not the hidden SSD cache.
In some SSHDs, the SSD cache is non-persistent, meaning the data is lost at power-off.

Imaging Recommendation:

Use live imaging when possible to capture cached content before powering down.
Include RAM acquisition to catch cache-related data.
Document storage type and configuration thoroughly.

Virtual Volumes and Disk Images

Virtual machines (VMs) are now ubiquitous. Disk images like VMDK (VMware), VHD/VHDX (Hyper-V), or QCOW2 (KVM) represent entire virtualized file systems. These images may be:

Stored on disk (offline analysis possible)
Mounted as live systems (requiring agentless acquisition)

Imagining a Virtual Disk File

If you have access to the virtual disk file, FTK Imager CLI can image it as a file:

bash

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ftkimager “C:\VMs\Server1.vhdx” “D:\Images\Server1_Virtual.E01” E01 –verify

This captures the virtualized disk into a forensic image, which can later be mounted and analyzed.

Imagining a Live Virtual Machine

If the VM is running, FTK CLI can be run inside the guest OS to perform logical or physical imaging of the virtual drive:

bash

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ftkimager C: \\network-share\image.E01 E01 –compress 6 –verify

Considerations:

VM snapshots may not capture volatile data.
VM suspension (sleep mode) may cause inconsistencies.
Hypervisors often support direct export of VMs for lab analysis.

Imagining iSCSI and SAN Volumes

In enterprise environments, investigators may need to image storage volumes provided over:

iSCSI (Internet Small Computer System Interface)
SAN (Storage Area Networks)

These appear to the OS as local disks. FTK Imager CLI can image them like any other volume:

bash

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ftkimager \\.\PhysicalDrive3 G:\Images\SAN_Volume.E01 E01 –verify

However, care must be taken to ensure:

The volume is mounted read-only.
Other systems are not actively writing to the volume (risking data volatility).
Access credentials and logs are preserved.

Challenges in Virtualized and Complex Environments

1. Hidden Volumes

Nested virtual disks inside encrypted containers (e.g., VHD inside VeraCrypt) complicate acquisition.
FTK Imager CLI can image files, but not detect or decrypt layers.

2. Cloud-Based Disks

Many virtual environments rely on cloud disks (e.g., Amazon EBS).
Acquisition may require API-based snapshots or cloud-native forensic tools.

3. Logical Volume Managers (LVMs)

In Linux environments, LVM abstracts physical disks into logical volumes.
FTK CLI on Linux must target the mapped volume (e.g., /dev/mapper/ubuntu–vg-root).

Technique	Description	Benefit
Live System Imaging	Imagine the logical volume while mounted (when possible)	Captures decrypted, active state
Offline Disk Image	Image raw VMDK/VHD/XFS/LVM device	Preserves structure for reconstruction
Snapshot Acquisition	Use hypervisor tools to create and export VM states	Consistent system image
Controller Documentation	Record RAID or LVM configurations	Enables lab-based reconstruction
RAM and Metadata Capture	Capture volatile data from live systems	Aids in decryption and state recovery

FTK Imager CLI Limitations in Complex Scenarios

While FTK Imager CLI is a powerful acquisition tool, it has limitations:

Cannot reconstruct RAID arrays from raw disks
Cannot mount or interpret virtual volumes
Cannot access overprovisioned SSD space or hidden firmware areas
Lacks built-in decryption or key extraction features

Thus, FTK CLI is often one piece of a larger forensic toolkit. Complementary tools like X-Ways, Magnet Axiom, EnCase, and hardware-based platforms (e.g., PC-3000, Atola) are necessary in more complex cases.

Modern storage systems are increasingly abstract, distributed, and complex. While FTK Imager CLI provides a robust way to create verified forensic images, its effectiveness in advanced configurations depends on understanding what the tool can see—and what it cannot.

In this final part of our series, we’ve explored the challenges and strategies for imaging RAID arrays, hybrid drives, and virtual volumes. The key takeaway is this: successful forensic acquisition in such environments hinges on a combination of technical awareness, detailed documentation, and layered tooling.

Whether you’re working with a virtual disk image or a 12-drive RAID array, FTK Imager CLI remains a critical component in the forensic investigator’s toolkit—but it must be used with care, complemented by specialized methods, and deployed within a broader investigative strategy.

Final Thought

As storage technologies evolve—bringing higher speeds, greater capacities, and more sophisticated abstractions—digital forensics must evolve in parallel. FTK Imager CLI remains a cornerstone tool in forensic acquisition due to its reliability, flexibility, and efficiency. However, its true effectiveness depends not just on technical execution, but on the examiner’s deep understanding of the underlying storage architecture.

From traditional spinning disks to SSDs, from virtual machines to complex RAID arrays, each scenario demands careful planning, precise documentation, and sometimes creative problem-solving. The command-line interface empowers professionals with greater control and automation, but it also requires clarity of purpose and awareness of limitations.

Ultimately, successful forensic imaging is less about tools alone and more about strategy. FTK Imager CLI, when combined with expert knowledge and supplemental tools, provides a strong foundation for digital evidence preservation—even in the face of challenging and emerging disk technologies

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