What is EnCase LEF File?
Learn the concept of LEF Files & How LEF Files are useful in Forensics
What is LEF EnCase File?
LEF files are the logical evidence files generated by the most efficient EnCase. It helps the investigators to extract the digital image of evidence to the local system. At the time of investigating a forensics case, the expert can choose to save the analyzed information in the form of an image file. The EnCase LEF files maintain an exact copy of the evidence without manipulating the files in terms of consistency and integrity.
MIME Type of LEF File
application/octet-stream
Full Form of LEF File Extension
LEF File Format stands for EnCase Logical Evidence File
Supported Format
The experts can choose to create logical evidence files in the following two different formats:
- E01 File – This proprietary file format saves the complete evidence from the disk and extracts the sensitive information in image file.
- L01 File – These files allow the extraction of the selected folders instead of entire recovered information.
Significance of LEF Files for Investigators
Knowing what is LEF file format and its significance in forensics is really interesting.EnCase being one of the prominent digital forensic solution is used by most of the forensics experts. Using the tool, the digital evidence can be extracted from hard drives, emails or other physical devices. The digital information being the most crucial factor in every investigation should be preserved and protected carefully. Investigators cannot afford to use copying of files for data preserving as it may lead to loss or corruption of sensitive digital proofs. The tool itself provides a reliable feature that permits to generate image file of the extracted data. The experts can conveniently choose to create an image based copy of the artifacts in logical evidence files. These files preserves the data without any loss or manipulation in the sensitive information. It provides an efficient solution for preserving the crucial data, which can be further used in court proceedings.
Moreover, the LEF L01 files serve to be beneficial in a way that the experts can choose to save only the required files from the evidences instead of complete disk image. They carry the original copy of selected evidences along with meta information such as file name, file size, last accessed time, logical size, physical size etc. It can be used by the examiner where a large amount of information is extracted, but only the particular evidences need to be preserved. So, saving the image files in L01 format helps to extract selected evidences and saving the memory storage. Almost every digital forensics expert practice to maintain an image copy of evidences in the form of logical file to preserve the sensitive data in its original format.
Features of LEF L01 Files: Encase Evidence File
Some of the important features offered by LEF files are:
- The LEF L01 files can be created to extract image of the selected files or folders depending on user’s requirement.
- It assures to maintain complete data consistency i.e., all the extracted evidences are saved in the original format.
- The image of selected evidences is complete in every sense. It extracts all the data to maintain integrity.
- The files can also save information from other EnCase sources such as records and snapshots.
- To maintain the data integrity, each extracted evidence item undergoes MD5 rehashing algorithms.
The above features will give you an overall idea about what is LEF file format in detail and what features it possess.
Common Queries Regarding LEF File Format
How to create EnCase Logical evidence file for saving the sensitive information?
You can extract and save the selected evidences using in-built Acquire option provided by the tool.
Is it possible to save multiple evidence into a single LEF file?
Yes, you can easily extract and save multiple evidences into a single logical evidence file.
What is LEF File? How L01 is different from E01 File?
LEF files are the logical evidence files generated by the most efficient EnCase digital forensics tool. It helps the investigators to extract the digital image of evidence to the local system. E01 saves the complete evidence from the disk and extracts the sensitive information in image file.L01 extract selected folders instead of entire recovered information.
Does LEF file maintain the associated meta data of the extracted evidence?
Yes, the LEF file format maintains complete meta data such as file location, size, last modified time etc in a consistent manner.
How can I view LEF file contents?
The LEF file saves the evidences in non human readable format. So, you need to take help of third party LEF viewer to access data conveniently.
What is the location of the LEF file?
The EnCase Logical Evidence File(LEF) is saved at the location specified by user at the time of creating the file.
Is there any issue of data loss or data alteration while saving the evidences in LEF file?
No, the LEF files make sure to extract complete data without any evidence loss. Moreover, the evidences are saved in actual formatting without any data alteration or corruption.