Case study: AOL instant messenger trace evidence

This article provides a case study showing the investigative usefulness of trace evidence relating to America Online Instant Messenger (AIM). Digital forensic examiners were provided with two computers and tasked to find any evidence of AIM conversations occurring between two AIM screen names. The examiners found evidence of communications and other linkages between the two computers related to AIM. This article details the tests conducted, the evidence found, and the outcome of the case.