A Blockchain-based tool for enhancing digital evidence integrity in the chain of custody

Abstract

Digital evidence is crucial in cybercrime investigations and is vital in identification and prosecution. However, preserving its integrity throughout the chain of custody is crucial for its reliability and ultimate admissibility. Unlike physical evidence, digital evidence is highly volatile, making it susceptible to duplication and alteration. The distinctive attributes of digital evidence pose significant challenges to traditional evidence management methods, which are susceptible to manipulation, unlawful access, and data corruption. This research addresses these gaps by creating a blockchain-based digital forensics chain of custody system. Blockchain technology provides an immutable, transparent, and decentralized ledger, ensuring that digital evidence remains tamper-proof and traceable. Agile methodology was used to implement the solution to accommodate changing project requirements. The testing was conducted using a simulated investigative process, examining blockchain transactions associated with various stakeholders along the chain of custody. The key findings indicate that the blockchain-based tool ensures evidence integrity with secure, verifiable audit trails. Validation confirmed 100% functional accuracy in automated timestamping. Performance tests demonstrated high uptime. API response times were within acceptable limits, with slight delays in case creation due to blockchain latency. Security testing verified tamper-proof integrity with zero unauthorized breaches. The validation confirmed the system's capability to maintain a chain of custody for digital evidence, ensuring data integrity and security as blockchain transactions remained immutable and traceable.

Keywords: Digital Forensics, Digital evidence, Chain of custody, Blockchain.