What type of tools is essential for an investigator focused on deleted digital evidence?

For an investigator focused on deleted digital evidence, file recovery tools are essential because their primary function is to scan storage devices for traces of deleted files and recover them. When files are deleted, the operating system typically removes references to the file rather than erasing the file's data, meaning that there is still a possibility for recovery if the data has not been overwritten. File recovery tools employ various techniques, such as deep scanning and using file signatures, to locate and restore these deleted files, making them crucial for forensic investigations where retrieving lost data is necessary.

The other tools mentioned serve different purposes that do not directly address the recovery of deleted evidence. File integrity tools help ensure that the content of files has not been altered, focusing on data validation rather than recovery. File journaling tools track changes to files and directories, providing a log of operations but not facilitating the recovery of deleted content. File sharing tools enable the distribution of files between users and do not involve any functionality for recovering deleted data. Therefore, file recovery tools stand out as the specialized instruments needed for accessing and examining deleted digital evidence.