CYBER FORENSICS AND ELECTRONIC EVIDENCE

Abstract

Cyber forensics has come to be a vital branch in India, this is due to the increased digitalization of their processes and corresponding increase in cyber offense (Dasaklis et al., 2021). It refers to the use of scientific procedures for the purpose of recognising, seizing, scrutinising, inspecting and scrutinizing digital data in a way that guarantees the originality and integrity of that data and sustains a exact history (Sree and Bhanu, 2020).The intersection of law and computer science is the foundation of digital forensics that collects and examines data present in various forms such as computer systems, networks, wireless systems and storage media, and makes it legally admissible in the court (Vaidya, 2020). Digital forensics is not applicable only in criminal investigations, however, also in civil litigation, intellectual property infringement and in the internal corporate investigations in the Indian scenario. The dynamic and innovative nature of technology and the incessant evolution of cybercriminals demand constant progress in the tools and techniques used for forensic investigation, highlighting the significance of ongoing R and D in this area (Alenezi, 2023; Hassan et al., 2022; Horan and Saiedian, 2021).The digital evidence collected by cyber forensics personnels is physical evidence, which is presentable in the court and used before trial (Alruwaili, 2021). In the Indian jurisprudence, the body of STP 5 Information Technology Act, 2000 and its amendment later is operationally essential to tackle cybercrime and electronic evidence admissibility with its intricate interlinking between technology and legislation(Bharati et al., 2024), The growing role of digital evidence in investigative and prosecutorial casework underscores the vital importance of legal professionals possessing a clear understanding of digital forensic concepts and methodologies (Miller, 2022).