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◆ Digital Forensics & Incident Response

The Sleuth Kit

sleuthkit-4.14.0 open-source

Open source forensic toolkit for analyzing Microsoft and UNIX file systems and disk images to identify and recover evidence.

Summary

The Sleuth Kit is an open-source library and command-line toolkit for analyzing disk images and file systems, free to use, and run either directly from the command line or embedded as a library inside larger forensics tools. It works at the volume and file system layer across Microsoft and UNIX formats including NTFSNTFSThe default file system format for Windows, developed by Microsoft, storing files with rich metadata and access controls; cyber tools target it to parse artifacts like timestamps, alternate data streams, and the MFT., FAT, EXT2, and FFS, letting investigators recover and examine evidence gathered during incident response or from live systems. It is built for digital forensics practitioners, and its own documentation recommends pairing it with Autopsy, a graphical front end that automates image searching and integrity checks. First committed in 2008, it remains active with 171 contributors and 285 commits in the past year.

Open source forensic toolkit for analyzing Microsoft and UNIX file systems and disk images to identify and recover evidence.

How The Sleuth Kit helps

What files existed on this disk image before it was wiped or reformatted?

walks the file system layer directly, bypassing the operating system, to find and list entries the volume's own directory structures no longer point to

Which files were deleted, and can their original content still be recovered?

reads the file system's metadata structures for entries marked unallocated and pulls back the data blocks they still reference, when those blocks have not been overwritten

What happened on this machine, in what order, based on the timestamps left on its files?

extracts the modified, accessed, and created times recorded in file system metadata across the image so an investigator can lay out a timeline of activity

Is this disk image internally consistent with what a live system would report?

walks the same volume and file system structures a live OS would use, letting a second independent tool recreate and check the same results before they're relied on

Which partitions and file systems are actually present on a raw disk image, regardless of what the partition table claims?

inspects the volume layer itself, identifying the partitions and the file system type inside each one directly from disk structures

Can evidence gathered from this image be trusted to reflect what was really on disk, unmodified by the analysis itself?

operates read-only at the volume and file system layer and is open source, so the exact steps taken against the image can be inspected or rerun by a second party

all 19 features, with the evidence for each →

Languages

Japanese Release notes: Japanese Japanese added in sleuthkit-4.11.1 (Nov 11, 2021) · Japanese added in sleuthkit-4.10.2 (Mar 23, 2021) · Japanese added in sleuthkit-4.10.1 (Nov 9, 2020)

Features

19 capabilities across 2 capability groups

Built from The Sleuth Kit's releases, docs, README and our own runs. “Seen” marks the month we first spotted a release the vendor didn't date. Group names and tags are our labels.

Compare with peers →

  • The Sleuth Kit covers 2 of the 8 investigation and response capabilities we track.

What The Sleuth Kit offers you

  • Command-line interface3
  • JSON data export1
Disk and filesystem forensics 10 features Investigation and response since 2017
Logical Folder Caching shipped Improves performance when traversing directory structures by caching logical folder metadata. 6 releases · 1 other source · first seen Aug 2017

Shared capability: Disk and filesystem forensics

Also counts toward: Command-line interface

release

  • Updated logical folder caching to improve performance when traversing directory structures. sleuthkit-4.13.0 · Mar 2025 · source · release history
  • Creates virtual files to expose APFS unallocated space content within the analysis framework sleuthkit-4.9.0 · May 2020 · source · release history
  • Adds Pool class and associated infrastructure to support APFS file systems in both C/C++ (libtsk) and Java APIs sleuthkit-4.8.0 · Jan 2020 · source · release history
  • Adds memory-based caching in the detection logic to optimize checking if an object has children. sleuthkit-4.6.2 · Aug 2018 · source · release history
  • Adds increased locking in the Java bindings to prevent handle closure conflicts during multi-threaded access. sleuthkit-4.6.2 · Aug 2018 · source · release history
  • usnjls command-line tool added for parsing NTFS USN logs sleuthkit-4.4.2 · Aug 2017 · source · release history

example

  • Parse an NTFS USN journal to track file modifications and deletions. usnjls -f /path/to/image.img sleuthkit-4.4.2 · Aug 2017 · source
File Extension Tracking shipped Enables querying and identifying files within the database based on their file extension. 4 releases · 1 other source · first seen Oct 2017

Shared capability: Disk and filesystem forensics

release

  • Improves file search performance in the Java API by using indexed extension lookups in findFile methods sleuthkit-4.11.0 · Aug 2021 · source · release history
  • Adds graph_view APIs to the Java bindings to generate communication graphs. sleuthkit-4.6.1 · May 2018 · source · release history
  • Adds new Communications-related Java classes to expose communication data via the Java API sleuthkit-4.6.0 · Feb 2018 · source · release history
  • Adds the extension column to the tsk_files table in the database. sleuthkit-4.5.0 · Oct 2017 · source · release history

example

  • Query the database for files with a specific extension using the new tsk_files.extension column sqlite3 tsk_db.db "SELECT name, extension FROM tsk_files WHERE extension = '.log';" sleuthkit-4.5.0 · Oct 2017 · source
Logical File System Support shipped Parses folder structures directly from disk images using a logical file system representation. 3 releases · first seen Oct 2017

Shared capability: Disk and filesystem forensics

release

  • Adds Logical File System support to parse folder structures directly from disk images sleuthkit-4.12.0 · Jan 2023 · source · release history
  • Changes parent_path for logical files to match FS file paths sleuthkit-4.6.3 · Oct 2018 · source · release history
  • Enables reading sector size directly from E01 images instead of assuming 512 bytes. sleuthkit-4.5.0 · Oct 2017 · source · release history
BitLocker Support shipped Enables the reading of encrypted BitLocker volumes in Windows disk images on Windows hosts. 2 releases · first seen Mar 2025

Shared capability: Disk and filesystem forensics

release

  • Adds BitLocker support for Windows disk images (Windows host only) sleuthkit-4.14.0 · Apr 2025 · source · release history
  • Added BitLocker support for Windows images, enabling the tool to read encrypted volumes. sleuthkit-4.13.0 · Mar 2025 · source · release history
BTRFS and XFS Parsing shipped Adds experimental support for parsing btrfs and xfs file systems within disk images. 2 releases · first seen Jan 2020

Shared capability: Disk and filesystem forensics

release

  • Added support for btrfs (experimental) and xfs (experimental) file system parsing. sleuthkit-4.13.0 · Mar 2025 · source · release history
  • Adds Pool class and associated infrastructure to support APFS file systems in both C/C++ (libtsk) and Java APIs sleuthkit-4.8.0 · Jan 2020 · source · release history
Image Format Detection shipped Provides a command-line utility to detect supported disk image formats and encryption status before analysis. 1 release · 1 other source · first seen Aug 2021

Shared capability: Disk and filesystem forensics

Also counts toward: Command-line interface

release

  • Adds the tsk_imageinfo command-line utility to detect supported image formats and encryption status sleuthkit-4.11.0 · Aug 2021 · source · release history

example

  • Check if a disk image is supported and whether it is encrypted before attempting full analysis. tsk_imageinfo -e /path/to/image.dd sleuthkit-4.11.0 · Aug 2021 · source
Automated Acquisition shipped Enables automated forensic acquisition of disk images via command line interface. 2 releases · first seen Aug 2019

Shared capability: Disk and filesystem forensics

Also counts toward: Command-line interface

release

  • Logical Imager no longer saves files in VHD by default; individual file format is now the standard sleuthkit-4.7.0 · Oct 2019 · source · release history
  • Introduces the logical_imager CLI tool as a new capability for automated forensic acquisition sleuthkit-4.6.7 · Aug 2019 · source · release history
LVM Support shipped Enables parsing of Logical Volume Manager volumes within disk images on non-Windows systems. 1 release · first seen Jan 2023

Shared capability: Disk and filesystem forensics

release

  • Adds LVM support (non-Windows) to enable parsing of Logical Volume Manager volumes within disk images sleuthkit-4.12.0 · Jan 2023 · source · release history
Inline Data Parsing shipped Enables the parsing of inline data within file systems such as Ext4 via C/C++ bindings. 1 release · first seen Mar 2021

Shared capability: Disk and filesystem forensics

release

  • Added C/C++ support for reading Ext4 inline data sleuthkit-4.10.2 · Mar 2021 · source · release history
HFS LZVN Decompression shipped Provides support for decompressing HFS files using the LZVN codec. 1 release · first seen Oct 2017

Shared capability: Disk and filesystem forensics

release

  • Adds lzvn decompression support for HFS files via the LZVN codec. sleuthkit-4.5.0 · Oct 2017 · source · release history
Forensic timeline analysis 1 feature Investigation and response since 2020
GPS Timeline Ingestion shipped Supports the creation and storage of GPS location artifacts within timeline events. 1 release · first seen May 2020

Shared capability: Forensic timeline analysis

release

  • Inserts GPS artifacts into the timeline events table via the updated TimelineManager sleuthkit-4.9.0 · May 2020 · source · release history
Other / not yet classified 8 features Features we have not matched to a capability yet. A suggested match is marked.
Examiner Management shipped suggested Supports tracking Examiner identities and associating metadata such as tags within the database schema. 6 releases · first seen Oct 2018

Suggested capability: Incident case management. This is our guess, not confirmed.

release

  • Added TaggingManager class and concept of a TagSet to support ProjectVic categories sleuthkit-4.10.0 · Sep 2020 · source · release history
  • Updates DB schema to support pools, JSON in Blackboard Attributes, and cascading deletes for data source removal sleuthkit-4.8.0 · Jan 2020 · source · release history
  • Adds new artifacts and attributes definitions to expand detection surface for digital forensics cases sleuthkit-4.6.5 · Jan 2019 · source · release history
  • Adds new fields for hash values and acquisition details in the SleuthKit case database (SleuthkitCase) sleuthkit-4.6.5 · Jan 2019 · source · release history
  • Allows tags to be associated with Examiners sleuthkit-4.6.3 · Oct 2018 · source · release history
  • Adds the Examiner table to the database schema sleuthkit-4.6.3 · Oct 2018 · source · release history
Case Database Management shipped suggested Provides APIs to manage case database operations including volume/file system insertion, acquisition details, and file layout. 5 releases · first seen Jan 2019

Suggested capability: Incident case management. This is our guess, not confirmed.

release

  • Adds Java callback support so that database inserts are done in Java sleuthkit-4.10.0 · Sep 2020 · source · release history
  • Adds --pool command line arguments to all command line tools for handling disk images as pools sleuthkit-4.9.0 · May 2020 · source · release history
  • Adds api method to CaseDbManager for adding LayoutFile for allocated files sleuthkit-4.6.6 · Apr 2019 · source · release history
  • Adds api methods to CaseDbManager for adding volume and file systems to the database sleuthkit-4.6.6 · Apr 2019 · source · release history
  • Stores the created schema version string in the case database to track schema origins sleuthkit-4.6.5 · Jan 2019 · source · release history
Hierarchical Blackboard Artifacts shipped Allows blackboard artifacts stored in the database to have parent-child relationships, supporting structures like message attachments. 5 releases · first seen Oct 2017

release

  • Adds attachment support to the blackboard helper package in the Java API sleuthkit-4.8.0 · Jan 2020 · source · release history
  • Adds postArtifact() method to Blackboard Helper packages for adding event data to database and broadcasting listeners sleuthkit-4.7.0 · Oct 2019 · source · release history
  • Changes Blackboard artifacts to inherit from Content in the Java API, stored in the tsk_objects database table sleuthkit-4.6.0 · Feb 2018 · source · release history
  • Blackboard artifacts are now represented as Content objects instead of their previous artifact-specific class structure in the Java API sleuthkit-4.6.0 · Feb 2018 · source · release history
  • Allows blackboard artifacts in the DB to have hierarchical parent-child relationships for message attachments. sleuthkit-4.5.0 · Oct 2017 · source · release history
File Repository Storage shipped Provides a concept in the Java bindings for storing files in an alternative location outside the default repository. 3 releases · 1 other source · first seen Mar 2021

release

  • Adds File Repository concept in the Java bindings for storing files in an alternative location sleuthkit-4.12.1 · Aug 2023 · source · release history
  • Adds new Java API tables and classes for OS Accounts, Realms (Domains), Host Addresses (IP/MAC), and File Attributes sleuthkit-4.11.0 · Aug 2021 · source · release history
  • Changed TimelineManager to generate events for any artifact with a timestamp sleuthkit-4.10.2 · Mar 2021 · source · release history

example

  • Access the new File Attribute table in Java to store and retrieve custom metadata for each file artifact. FileAttrTable attrTable = db.openFileAttrTable(); attrTable.addRow(fileObj, "custom_key", "custom_value"); sleuthkit-4.11.0 · Aug 2021 · source
Complex Data Querying shipped Enables the execution of advanced queries against the underlying data source via API. 2 releases · first seen Aug 2018

release

  • Updates DB schema to support pools, JSON in Blackboard Attributes, and cascading deletes for data source removal sleuthkit-4.8.0 · Jan 2020 · source · release history
  • Adds new API support for executing more complex queries against the data source. sleuthkit-4.6.2 · Aug 2018 · source · release history
Local Directory Type Support shipped Introduces a distinct database schema type for local directories to differentiate them from virtual directories. 1 release · 1 other source · first seen Oct 2017

release

  • Adds a new Local Directory DB schema type to distinguish from Virtual Directories. sleuthkit-4.5.0 · Oct 2017 · source · release history

example

  • Check the database schema to verify the new Local Directory type is available alongside standard types sqlite3 tsk_db.db "SELECT DISTINCT obj_type FROM tsk_objects WHERE obj_type IN ('Local Directory', 'Virtual Directory');" sleuthkit-4.5.0 · Oct 2017 · source
File Metadata Storage shipped Allows storage and retrieval of custom metadata for file artifacts via dedicated database tables. 1 release · first seen Mar 2021

release

  • Added SHA256 column to the files table in the Java DB layer sleuthkit-4.10.2 · Mar 2021 · source · release history
CASE/UCO Export shipped Enables the generation of JSON-LD artifacts based on TSK objects for CASE/UCO compliance. 1 release · first seen Sep 2020

Also counts toward: JSON data export

release

  • Added a CASE/UCO JAR file that creates JSON-LD based on TSK objects sleuthkit-4.10.0 · Sep 2020 · source · release history

Lines in monospace are the tool's own words: help text parsed from its source, or an endpoint from its API document. Under release, a line is our summary of a dated release. Under docs, it is quoted from the tool's own documentation or website. Each links back to the source it came from.

Score card

  1. Shipping velocity releases a month, last 12 months
  2. Documentation quality release-notes rubric, 0–100
  3. Breaking-change discipline how rarely a release breaks users, and notice given
  4. Maintenance risk quiet time against its own cadence, maintainers
  5. Innovation & surface new capabilities, API and MCP surface
  6. Community health
  7. Contributor trend distinct committers, this year against last
  8. Maintainer concentration bus factor now against a year ago
  9. Issue backlog trend issues closed per issue opened, 12 months
  10. Responsiveness median time to a maintainer’s first reply

Nine scores for The Sleuth Kit, each built from the releases, notes and API history this site tracks — and, on Researcher and Business, where it stands among every measured tool in its category and how that has moved.

Score cards are part of every paid plan.

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Each score is 0–100 on a published rubric, derived from data this site already shows. A dimension we cannot measure says so — it is never scored 0 and never enters a rank.

How this is scored
  • Shipping velocity — releases a month over the last 12 months, on a log scale where 16 a month scores 100. Needs 3 releases in the window.
  • Documentation quality — the release-notes rubric published on the analytics page, unchanged.
  • Breaking-change discipline — the share of releases carrying a breaking change (none scores 100, half or more scores 0). Only projects that label breaking changes are measured: a clean record cannot be told from an unlabelled one.
  • Maintenance risk — quiet time measured against the tool's own release cadence (quiet longer than 90 days and three typical gaps scores 0), plus the number of active maintainers and whether contributors are growing, where known. Higher is lower risk.
  • Innovation & surface — new capabilities in the feature ledger this year, API and MCP operations added, and the share of commits that are features: the mean of whichever we hold.
  • Community health (open-source tools only) — each is a direction, not a size: contributors this year against last, the bus factor now against a year ago, and issues closed per issue opened, where steady scores 50, doubled 100 and halved 0; plus the median time to a maintainer's first reply (an hour scores about 100, a month or more 0). A commercial card has no repository and carries none of the four.
  • Documented delivery (commercial tools) — when a vendor's documented new capabilities have slowed against its own baseline, that counts against the overall standing as heavily as two low dimensions. Steady delivery, or too little history to judge, leaves the standing alone; it is never a sixth score.
  • Open-source tools are scored on repository signals; commercial tools on their published changelog. Ranks compare tools within one category and one profile and need at least five measured peers; the overall standing needs three ranked dimensions. Best-in-breed or consolidator is a shape, not a quality, and is never scored.

Release-note detail over time

See how much detail The Sleuth Kit puts in its release notes, quarter by quarter, and compare it with tracked tools in the same category. This history uses up to ten retained, reviewed notes per tool; sparse or blank older quarters may reflect that limit.

Checking release-note history…

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Releases

Show

19 entries

  1. April 20251
  2. March 20251
  3. August 20231
  4. January 20231
  5. August 20211
  6. March 20211
  7. September 20201
  8. May 20201
  9. January 20201
  10. October 20191
  11. August 20191
  12. April 20191
  13. January 20191
  14. October 20181
  15. August 20181
  16. May 20181
  17. February 20181
  18. October 20171
  19. August 20171
    Show

    19 entries

    Project health

    Issue, contributor and maintainer activity in sleuthkit/sleuthkit, 2023-10 – 2026-09, as of 2026-09-25. Twelve-month figures first; the trend lines run the whole window.

    1. Contributors 10 +2 vs prior 12 months
    2. Maintainers 2 +1 joined · −3 left, last 12 months
    3. Bus factor 1 committers behind half the commits
    4. Community-filed 98% of issues opened, last 12 months
    5. Median time to close 118 days first maintainer reply 122 days
    6. Open backlog 441 of 739 issues ever filed
    1. Issues opened / month 3 · 0 communitymaintainers
    2. Open backlog 441
    3. Contributors / month 2
    4. Commits / month 4
    5. Stars 3,152
    Issue themes, last 12 months
    • features 2%
    • other 98%

    Counts from the project's public repository and git history; no individuals are identified. Maintainers are the committers covering 80% of the last year's commits. how we measure this

    Libraries its release ships

    What its latest release locks, checked against known advisories.

    None of its release's images build from a lockfile we can read.

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