Which area of physical security is the most crucial in a digital forensics facility according to a crime lab auditor's review?

In a digital forensics facility, enforcing access control is paramount to maintaining the integrity of evidence and ensuring that only authorized personnel can enter sensitive areas. This aspect of physical security helps protect against unauthorized access, which could lead to tampering, contamination, or loss of critical data. Proper access control measures can include badge systems, biometric scanners, and visitor logs, which are essential for tracking who has entered and exited the facility.

While securing exit doors and locking windows are also important components of physical security, they do not address the primary concern of access control that is critical to a forensic environment. Blocking an exit door, however, represents a breach of security protocol and could lead to serious safety hazards, making it an inappropriate choice in the context of a facility that strives to uphold the highest security standards. Access control ensures the chain of custody is maintained, which is vital for the validity of any forensic investigation.