The digital landscape has grown exponentially, providing numerous opportunities for businesses and individuals alike. However, with every advancement comes its array of challenges. Among these, cybercrime has been continually escalating and evolving. The 2019 Official Annual Cybercrime Report predicts that cybercrime will cost $6 trillion annually by 2021, up from $3 trillion in 2016. This post aims to seek an answer to the question 'how many steps are involved in the forensic investigation process' in addressing these crimes.

Digital forensic science is a critical component in combating cybercrime and addressing cybersecurity incidents. It involves revisiting the crime scene by investigating, capturing, and analyzing the digital evidence. In essence, it entails understanding the occurrence of the crime by following a systematic sequence of steps. This piece will divulge the comprehensive 6-Step Forensic Investigation process in Cybersecurity and unveil its criticality in combating threats in modern digital infrastructure.

Step 1: Identification

The first step in the forensic investigation process is identifying that an incident has taken place. Whether a minor or significant breach, it requires the deployment of tools and techniques to detect unusual activities and log anomalies. This step essentially cues detection and complex pattern delineation from a wide array of log and event information.

Step 2: Preservation

Post identification, preservation ranks high in practical importance. The goal remains to prevent any modification, deterioration, or loss of evidence. This stage involves capturing system images, take a hash of the system image, and systematically store and protect the evidence for future reference. Also ensuring the documentation of every action and changes to maintain the chain of custody.

Step 3: Examination

The third step involves an in-depth examination of the digital evidence. It is necessary to piece together the events using the data collected, to develop theories about the possible incident. In this, the evidence undergoes thorough analysis using various forensic tools, revealing vital details such as the source of the breach or the actions taken during the incident.

Step 4: Analysis

Analysis revolves around testing the hypotheses established during the examination stage. Using a host of digital forensic tools and specialized techniques, the investigator extracts and rigorously analyzes the potential evidence. They must be able to both corroborate or refute these initial presumptions, and uncover crucial insights that tell the crime story.

Step 5: Reporting

Post analysis, extensive documentation and reporting of the findings begin. Each finding, discrepancies, tools used, methods, and strategies get included in the report. This document serves as an essential entity as it can act as a legal proof in the court of law. Maintaining the explicitness, consistency, and integrity of the report is crucial.

Step 6: Presentation

The final step of the process involves presenting these findings in an understandable and straightforward manner to various stakeholders - be it clients, peers, or a court of law. The objective here is to convincingly narrate and explain the entire timeline of the incident, proving or disproving the hypothesis in question. It necessitates clear communication skills, as the complexity surrounding forensic investigations can be overwhelming for non-technical individuals.

In conclusion, keeping up the pace with rapidly evolving cyber threats requires understanding 'how many steps are involved in the forensic investigation process' and how precisely they interweave to form a robust defense mechanism. The six stages - Identification, Preservation, Examination, Analysis, Reporting, and Presentation - form the crux of any forensic investigation process, each critical in its way to combat cybercrimes. Remember, foundation in understanding and following these steps can significantly enhance the efficiency of addressing cyber threats and ultimately safeguard the integrity of digital infrastructure.