According to the CHFI v11 objectives under Analyzing Various File Types and Image File Analysis (BMP) , understanding bitmap (BMP) file structure is critical for identifying hidden data, detecting tampering, and validating file integrity during forensic investigations. A BMP file is composed of multiple structured components, each serving a specific purpose.
The Information Header (also known as the DIB header ) is the component that contains detailed metadata about the bitmap image. This includes essential attributes such as image width and height, color depth (bits per pixel), compression method, image size, resolution, and pixel layout . These attributes define how the image data should be interpreted and rendered, making the information header central to forensic analysis. Investigators rely on this header to verify whether image properties are consistent with expectations or have been manipulated.
The File Header (Option A) primarily identifies the file as a BMP and provides the offset to the image data, but it does not describe the image layout in detail. Image data (Option B) contains the actual pixel values, while the RGBQUAD array (Option D) defines the color palette for indexed images and does not describe file structure.
The CHFI Exam Blueprint v4 explicitly covers BMP file analysis and hex-level examination , highlighting the Information Header as the key structure for understanding bitmap characteristics, making Option C the correct and exam-aligned answer
