Open Access Research Article
“CYBER FORENSICS AND DIGITAL EVIDENCE: LEGAL AND PRACTICAL CHALLENGES”
Abstract
Cyber forensics has become an essential component
of modern criminal
investigation because
computers, mobile phones, cloud platforms, networks, surveillance systems and
digital payment applications routinely generate evidence relevant to disputes
and offences. At the same time, digital evidence is unusually vulnerable to
alteration, deletion, encryption, remote access and loss of contextual
information. The legal system therefore has to address two connected questions:
how digital material can be collected and preserved scientifically, and how the
resulting record can be proved reliably before a court.
This project examines
the legal and practical framework
governing cyber forensics
and digital evidence in India, with particular attention to the Bharatiya
Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (BSA),
the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita,
2023 (BNSS), the Information Technology Act, 2000,
constitutional safeguards and leading judicial decisions. The study considers
acquisition, preservation, hashing, metadata, chain of custody, forensic
imaging, cloud evidence, mobile-device evidence, CCTV, call-detail records and
electronic communications. It also examines admissibility, authenticity, certificates, expert evidence, privacy, jurisdiction and investigative
capacity.
The central finding is that legal recognition of electronic records is no
longer the principal difficulty. The more demanding problems concern reliable
collection, preservation, documentation, forensic competence, access to third-party data and the ability of investigators
and courts to evaluate technical
evidence without compromising fairness. A legally
admissible digital record must therefore be supported by a trustworthy
evidentiary process. The project concludes with suggestions for standardised
forensic protocols, stronger training, better preservation mechanisms, clearer inter-agency procedures and continued
judicial engagement with emerging technologies.
Published Paper
Author Details
Authors: K. RAMANJANEYULURegistration ID: 1013413 | Published Paper ID: IJLRA13413Approved ISSN: 2582-6433 | Country: Delhi, IndiaPage No.: 1869-1884
Article Information
“CYBER FORENSICS AND DIGITAL EVIDENCE: LEGAL AND PRACTICAL CHALLENGES”
Authors: K. RAMANJANEYULU
- 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
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