What command should a forensic scientist use to obtain the network configuration from a Windows PC before seizing it?

Using the ipconfig command is the correct approach for a forensic scientist to obtain the network configuration from a Windows PC before seizing it. The ipconfig command provides critical information about the current state of the network interfaces on the machine, including details such as IP address, subnet mask, default gateway, and DNS servers. This information is vital for understanding the network environment of the device and can assist in the forensic investigation by establishing the device's network presence and connectivity status at the time of examination.

The other options do not serve the immediate purpose of quickly gathering the essential network configuration directly from the Windows PC itself. Logging into the router is typically not feasible in a situation where immediate action is required, as it requires access credentials and might not provide the specific details needed about the PC’s network configuration. The tracert command is used to trace the route that packets take to reach a specific destination rather than to gather configuration information of the local machine. Installing a network packet sniffer would be more intrusive and complex than necessary when all that is needed is a straightforward summary of the network settings, which can be efficiently obtained with the ipconfig command.