Setting up a proper lab environment is an essential part of a forensic process. Android forensic setup usually involves the following:
Start with a fresh or forensically sterile computer environment. This means that other data is not present on the system or is contained in a manner that it cannot contaminate the present investigation.
Install basic software necessary to connect to the device. Android forensic tools and methodologies will work on Windows, Linux, and OS X platforms.
Obtain access to the device. An examiner must be able to enable settings or bypass them in order to allow the data to be extracted from the Android device.
Issue commands to the device through the methods defined in this chapter and in Chapter 9, Android Data Extraction Techniques.
The following sections provide guidance on setting up a basic Android forensic workstation.