What term describes a digital file shaped by human craft that holds investigative interest?

The term "digital artifact" is used to describe a digital file shaped by human craft that holds investigative interest because it encompasses a wide range of data types created through human interaction with digital devices. This can include documents, images, emails, social media posts, and more. Each of these items can provide important insights and evidence regarding a particular case or incident in a digital forensics investigation.

Digital artifacts are particularly significant because they not only represent the actions and intents of individuals but can also reveal patterns of behavior, timestamps, metadata, and links to other pieces of information. This makes them crucial in piecing together narratives or establishing timelines during investigations.

In contrast, the term "digital evidence" is broader and refers to any data that can be used in legal proceedings, but it does not specifically denote the crafted nature of the information as highlighted by "digital artifact." A "computer system" denotes the hardware and software composition itself, rather than the data contained within it. Lastly, an "investigator's notebook" typically refers to the physical or digital records kept by an investigator, which do not inherently carry the crafted or shaped nature associated with digital artifacts.