BLOCKCHAIN-BASED DIGITAL EVIDENCE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS

Abstract

The rapid growth of digital technologies has significantly increased the amount of digital evidence used in criminal investigations. However, traditional evidence management systems face challenges related to data integrity, security, transparency, and chain of custody management. Digital evidence stored in centralized databases is vulnerable to tampering, unauthorized access, and data loss, which can compromise the reliability of evidence presented in legal proceedings.This research proposes a Blockchain-Based Digital Evidence Management System designed to enhance the security, transparency, and reliability of criminal evidence handling. Blockchain technology provides a decentralized and immutable ledger that records all evidence-related transactions, ensuring that once evidence data is stored, it cannot be altered or deleted without detection. The system maintains a secure chain of custody by recording every access, modification, and transfer of digital evidence in a transparent and tamper-proof manner. The proposed framework integrates cryptographic techniques, smart contracts, and distributed ledger technology to ensure secure storage, authentication, and controlled access to digital evidence. Investigators, forensic experts, and legal authorities can securely upload, verify, and retrieve evidence while maintaining full accountability and traceability of all activities. Smart contracts automate evidence verification and authorization processes, reducing human errors and improving operational efficiency. By leveraging blockchain technology, the proposed system enhances trust, transparency, and accountability in criminal investigations while protecting the integrity of digital evidence. This approach can significantly improve the management of forensic data and strengthen the credibility of digital evidence in judicial systems