US Patent 8438174 Automated forensic document signatures

Methods and systems are provided for a proactive approach for computer forensic investigations. The invention allows organizations anticipating the need for forensic analysis to prepare in advance. Forensic signatures are created including a digital fingerprint and other information associated with a file. In one aspect, informational signatures are created, which may assist in determining what information is included in a file. In another aspect, the digital fingerprint may represent contents of the file and is resistant to minor modification of the file. In another aspect, fingerprints can be compared in parallel on different computers.