In digital forensics, the term logical extraction is typically used to refer to extractions that do not recover deleted data, or do not include a full bit-by-bit copy of the evidence. However, a more correct definition of logical extraction, also defined in Chapter 1, Introducing Android Forensics, is any method that requires communication with the base operating system. Because of this interaction with the operating system, a forensic examiner cannot be sure that they have recovered all of the data possible; the operating system is choosing which data it allows the examiner to access.

In traditional computer forensics, logical extraction is analogous to copying and pasting a folder in order to extract data from a system; this process will only copy files that the user can access and see. If any hidden or deleted files are present in the folder being copied, they will not be in the pasted version of the folder.

As you will see, however, the line between logical...