What is the difference between file carving and file recovery in digital forensics?

File carving and file recovery are both techniques used in digital forensics to retrieve data from storage devices. However, there are some key differences between the two:

1. Definition: File carving is the process of extracting files or fragments of files from a storage device without relying on the file system metadata. It involves searching for specific file signatures or patterns to identify and extract files. On the other hand, file recovery refers to the process of restoring deleted or lost files from a storage device by analyzing the file system metadata and identifying the associated data blocks.

2. Purpose: File carving is typically used when the file system metadata is damaged, corrupted, or unavailable. It is useful in recovering files that have been intentionally or accidentally deleted, as well as fragmented or partially overwritten files. File recovery, on the other hand, is primarily used to retrieve files that have been deleted or lost due to logical or physical issues with the storage device.

3. Approach: File carving involves scanning the storage device at a low level, searching for specific file signatures or patterns that indicate the presence of files. It does not rely on the file system's directory structure or metadata. File recovery, on the other hand, relies on the file system metadata to locate and restore deleted or lost files. It analyzes the file allocation table or equivalent data structures to identify the location of the deleted files.

4. Output: File carving typically produces individual files or fragments of files that are extracted from the storage device. These files may not have their original filenames or directory structure intact. File recovery, on the other hand, aims to restore the deleted files to their original state, including their filenames, directory structure, and metadata.

In summary, file carving is a technique used to extract files or fragments of files from a storage device without relying on the file system metadata, while file recovery focuses on restoring deleted or lost files by analyzing the file system metadata.