Managing Digital Evidence in Cybercrime: Efforts Towards a Sustainable Blockchain-Based Solution

Md Hasibul Alam Ratul, Sepideh Mollajafari and Martin Wynn ()
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Md Hasibul Alam Ratul: School of Business, Computing and Social Sciences, University of Gloucestershire, Cheltenham GL50 2RH, UK
Sepideh Mollajafari: School of Business, Computing and Social Sciences, University of Gloucestershire, Cheltenham GL50 2RH, UK
Martin Wynn: School of Business, Computing and Social Sciences, University of Gloucestershire, Cheltenham GL50 2RH, UK

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 24, 1-20

Abstract: Digital evidence plays a crucial role in cybercrime investigations by linking individuals to criminal activities. Data collection, preservation, and analysis can benefit from emerging technologies like blockchain to provide a secure, distributed ledger for managing digital evidence. This study proposes a blockchain-based solution for managing digital evidence in cybercrime cases in the judicial domain. The proposed solution provides the basis for the development of a new model that leverages a consortium blockchain, allowing secure collaboration among judicial stakeholders, while ensuring data integrity and admissibility in court. An extensive literature review demonstrates blockchain’s potential to create a more secure, efficient evidence management system. The proposed model was implemented in a test environment using a localised blockchain for developing and testing smart contracts, as well as integrating a web interface, with off-chain storage for managing evidence data. The system was subsequently deployed in both the Polygon and Ethereum test networks, simulating real-world blockchain environments, revealing that the operational cost in the Polygon network is reduced by 99.96% compared to Ethereum, thereby offering scalability without compromising security. This study underscores blockchain’s potential to revolutionise the chain of custody procedures, improving dependability and security in evidence management and providing more sustainable solutions within the criminal justice system.

Keywords: blockchain; chain of custody; data integrity; sustainability; secure distribution; access control (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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