A forensics analyst is attempting to read file metadata during the course of an investigation. Which tool could they use?

Exiftool is a powerful and widely used utility that specializes in reading, writing, and manipulating metadata in various file formats, including images, audio, video, and documents. In forensic investigations, this tool can extract vital information such as timestamps, camera settings, and other metadata that can help establish timelines and context surrounding digital evidence. Its ability to handle a broad range of file types makes it particularly useful for forensic analysts who need detailed insights into the properties of files they are examining.

In contrast, the other tools listed serve different purposes. For instance, a statically linked library is a programming construct used in software development rather than a forensic tool. Nmap is a network scanning utility designed for discovering hosts and services on a computer network, which does not pertain to file metadata analysis. Volatility is a memory forensics tool used for analyzing memory dumps to detect activities or extracted information from the system's RAM. While important within forensic analysis, it is not suitable for examining file metadata. Therefore, Exiftool stands out as the preferred choice for the specific task of reading file metadata during a forensic investigation.