Open Access Research Article
THE STUDY OF COLLECTION AND PRESERVATION OF DIGITAL EVIDENCE IN CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION
Abstract
The quick
development of technological devices for communication and information has made
digital evidence a crucial part of contemporary criminal investigations. Mobile
phones, computers, CCTV cameras, emails, social media platforms, cloud storage,
and GPS systems are examples of modern electronic devices that produce useful
data that can help identify and prove criminal offenses. Investigating agencies
can use digital data to reconstruct crime scenes, identify suspects, create
timelines, and support court processes. However, due to its extreme
fragility and ease of alteration, deletion, or damage, electronic data must be properly
collected and preserved in order to guaranty its authenticity and admissibility
in court.
The concept,
significance, gathering, and storage of digital evidence in criminal
investigations within the Indian judicial system are all
examined in this paper. It examines the legal recognition and procedural
protections for electronic evidence found in the Information Technology Act,
2000, the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023, and the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha
Sanhita, 2023. The study also emphasizes how important it is to
uphold the chain of custody, employ forensic methods, and adhere to established
protocols while conducting an investigation.
Both
conceptual and empirical approaches are used in the study. While secondary data was gathered from books, legal journals,
court rulings, government papers, and research articles, primary data was
gathered from 102 respondents, including advocates and government workers,
using a standardized Google Forms questionnaire. The findings indicate that
although digital evidence has significantly improved the efficiency of criminal investigations, challenges such
as inadequate forensic infrastructure, the
efficient use of electronic gadgets is nevertheless hampered by a lack of technical know-how
and careless handling. The study comes
to the conclusion that maintaining the integrity, dependability, and admissibility
of digital evidence in the criminal justice system requires bolstering cyber
forensic capabilities, improving investigator training, and guaranteeing strict
adherence to legal procedures.
Published Paper
Author Details
Authors: KRISHNA VENI.DRegistration ID: 1013389 | Published Paper ID: IJLRA13389Approved ISSN: 2582-6433 | Country: Delhi, IndiaPage No.: 1477- 1493
Article Information
THE STUDY OF COLLECTION AND PRESERVATION OF DIGITAL EVIDENCE IN CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION
Authors: KRISHNA VENI.D
- Journal IJLRA
- ISSN 2582-6433
- Volume 3
- Issue 7
About Journal
International Journal for Legal Research and Analysis
- AbbreviationIJLRA
- ISSN2582-6433
- AccessOpen Access
- LicenseCC 4.0
All research articles published in International Journal for Legal Research and Analysis are open access and available to read, download and share, subject to proper citation of the original work.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of International Journal for Legal Research and Analysis.