Which scanning tool can be used to identify hidden data in sectors of a hard drive?

FTK Imager is a powerful tool used in digital forensics to create disk images and perform analysis on various types of storage devices. One of its key features is the ability to scan and analyze raw data sectors on a hard drive. This capability allows forensic examiners to uncover hidden data, such as deleted files or data stored in unallocated space, which may not be readily visible through standard file browsing methods.

The effectiveness of FTK Imager in revealing hidden data lies in its ability to read the low-level structure of a hard drive, including all sectors, regardless of whether they are marked as used or deleted. This access enables forensic investigators to recover critical evidence that could be significant for an investigation, such as remnants of deleted files that could tie a suspect to criminal activity.

Other tools listed might provide some capabilities in the context of analyzing a hard drive, but they do not specifically emphasize hidden data sector scanning to the same extent as FTK Imager. For instance, while Forensic Explorer and ProDiscover offer useful features for software analysis and investigation, FTK Imager is particularly renowned for its comprehensive imaging and ability to examine every nook and cranny of the hard drive’s data structure.