The results of the evaluation could potentially change if the devices were running different versions of the operating systems or if the backup process was performed under different environmental conditions.
Different OS Versions:
Newer versions of the operating systems may introduce changes in the way data is stored, accessed, or backed up. This could impact the reliability and accuracy of the backup process. For example, new security features or encryption methods in the OS could affect the ability to access certain types of data or the integrity of the backup.
Changes in the file structure, file naming conventions, or data storage locations between OS versions could lead to discrepancies in the backup process. This could result in missing data, altered data, or difficulties in mapping backup data to its original location on the device.
Environmental Conditions:
Variations in environmental conditions during the backup process, such as network connectivity, device settings, or background processes, could influence the quality of the backup data.
Factors like network interruptions, device performance issues, or concurrent activities on the device could impact the completeness and accuracy of the backup. These conditions could introduce errors, data corruption, or missing data in the backup.
In summary, different OS versions and environmental conditions can introduce variables that may affect the reliability and integrity of the data acquisition process through local backups. It is essential to consider these factors when evaluating forensic data acquisition methods on smartphones.