Review Article

A Comprehensive Study of Data Storage Technologies and Forensic Imaging

Number: 6 July 22, 2026

A Comprehensive Study of Data Storage Technologies and Forensic Imaging

Abstract

The rapid evolution of data storage technologies and the increasing complexity of digital artifacts have significantly transformed the field of digital forensics. This review systematically examines the evolution of data storage technologies, from punch cards to modern optical media, with a particular emphasis on forensic imaging, major file systems (FAT, NTFS, EXT, HFS+, and APFS), and digital artifacts relevant to forensic investigations. The study analyzes how advances in storage technologies influence evidence acquisition, preservation, integrity verification, and forensic analysis while highlighting the forensic significance of Internet history, metadata, registry artifacts, deleted data, and volatile evidence in reconstructing user activities and supporting legal investigations. Furthermore, the review discusses current challenges, including data volume, storage diversity, encryption, and the dynamic nature of digital evidence, emphasizing the need for advanced forensic tools and methodologies. By integrating the evolution of storage technologies, forensic imaging techniques, modern file systems, and digital artifacts into a unified framework, this review bridges the gap between fragmented educational resources and contemporary forensic practice. The study provides a comprehensive reference for researchers, students, and digital forensic practitioners while highlighting emerging challenges and future directions in digital forensic investigations.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Ethical Statement

This study is based exclusively on the review and analysis of secondary academic literature, technical standards, and published documentation in digital forensics. It involved no direct interaction with human participants, active systems, or private personal data. Consequently, institutional ethics committee approval and informed consent were not required. All source materials were reviewed and cited in accordance with academic research ethics and standard publication standards.

Thanks

The authors sincerely express their gratitude to the Editor-in-Chief and the anonymous reviewers of the Journal of Emerging Computer Technologies for their valuable comments and constructive suggestions. Their insightful feedback contributed significantly to improving the methodological clarity, analytical framework, discussion, and overall academic quality of this manuscript.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Digital Electronic Devices, Microelectronics

Journal Section

Review Article

Publication Date

July 22, 2026

Submission Date

May 19, 2026

Acceptance Date

July 20, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Number: 6

APA
Selim, A., & Ali, İ. (2026). A Comprehensive Study of Data Storage Technologies and Forensic Imaging. Journal of Emerging Computer Technologies, 6, 77-89. https://doi.org/10.57020/ject.1954843
AMA
1.Selim A, Ali İ. A Comprehensive Study of Data Storage Technologies and Forensic Imaging. JECT. 2026;(6):77-89. doi:10.57020/ject.1954843
Chicago
Selim, Aybeyan, and İlker Ali. 2026. “A Comprehensive Study of Data Storage Technologies and Forensic Imaging”. Journal of Emerging Computer Technologies, nos. 6: 77-89. https://doi.org/10.57020/ject.1954843.
EndNote
Selim A, Ali İ (July 1, 2026) A Comprehensive Study of Data Storage Technologies and Forensic Imaging. Journal of Emerging Computer Technologies 6 77–89.
IEEE
[1]A. Selim and İ. Ali, “A Comprehensive Study of Data Storage Technologies and Forensic Imaging”, JECT, no. 6, pp. 77–89, July 2026, doi: 10.57020/ject.1954843.
ISNAD
Selim, Aybeyan - Ali, İlker. “A Comprehensive Study of Data Storage Technologies and Forensic Imaging”. Journal of Emerging Computer Technologies. 6 (July 1, 2026): 77-89. https://doi.org/10.57020/ject.1954843.
JAMA
1.Selim A, Ali İ. A Comprehensive Study of Data Storage Technologies and Forensic Imaging. JECT. 2026;:77–89.
MLA
Selim, Aybeyan, and İlker Ali. “A Comprehensive Study of Data Storage Technologies and Forensic Imaging”. Journal of Emerging Computer Technologies, no. 6, July 2026, pp. 77-89, doi:10.57020/ject.1954843.
Vancouver
1.Aybeyan Selim, İlker Ali. A Comprehensive Study of Data Storage Technologies and Forensic Imaging. JECT. 2026 Jul. 1;(6):77-89. doi:10.57020/ject.1954843
Journal of Emerging Computer Technologies
is indexed and abstracted by
Harvard Hollis, Scilit, ROAD, Google Scholar, OpenAIRE

Publisher
Izmir Academy Association

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