Any technologies exist that let you have multiple encrypted OS's on multiple keys? For example, 1 key could boot up one OS and another key could boot up a different OS. Seems like it'd be difficult to prove that you booted one or the other...
Truecrypt ALSO does full disk encryption...which is a very very good security precaution corporations everywhere are implementing.
The problem there is that the "hidden" OS is (by definition) undetectable from within the "decoy" OS. Therefore, you risk accidentally overwriting it. Some encryption software has workarounds for this, but that typically leaves you exposed while it's in use.
Whole-disk encryption is great for protecting credit card numbers, embarrassing information, and trade secrets from someone who should happen to steal your laptop. If you actually have anything so secret that you're worried about being coerced into decrypting it, I don't know how to help you.
I'm wondering what the legal ramifications might be if you set a secondary key that would wipe the drive in the most secure method possible and then provide that key. Or even the alternate boot sequence as suggested.
Destruction of evidence. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spoliation_of_evidence
I have to say that I somewhat agree with the ruling because there are similar situations with physical objects, not true one-to-one but they are there. I'm just wondering how the courts would react to the destruction of digital evidence that was not directly initiated by the defendant, but indirectly by preparing for the possibility.
There would be copies made and the drive that has the encrypted volume would likely be accessed with a "Write Blocker" forensic device, or in a virtual environment, etc.
This technique would only tip your hand that the volume contents changed after entering the password.