International Research Journal of Education and Technology

Digital forensics plays a crucial role in ensuring the security, integrity, and authenticity of digital evidence in investigations conducted by law enforcement agencies. Traditional methods of storing and managing forensic data often face challenges related to privacy, tamper-proofing, and centralized control. Blockchain technology has emerged as a potential solution to address these challenges by offering decentralized, immutable, and transparent storage and verification mechanisms.

This survey paper explores the feasibility and benefits of leveraging blockchain for digital forensics. It provides an overview of existing blockchain-based digital forensics frameworks, focusing on their architectures, cryptographic techniques employed (such as SHA algorithms and AES encryption), and the integration of blockchain methodologies to enhance privacy preservation and proof of existence of forensic data. Key attributes such as authenticity, security, traceability, and immutability are discussed in the context of how blockchain can establish a trustworthy system for law enforcement agencies.

The paper also examines potential challenges and considerations associated with implementing blockchain in digital forensics, including scalability issues, performance concerns, regulatory compliance, and integration with existing forensic tools. Alternative approaches and hybrid solutions are explored to mitigate these challenges while maximizing the benefits of blockchain technology.

Through this survey, stakeholders in law enforcement and cybersecurity gain insights into the current landscape of blockchain-based digital forensics frameworks, paving the way for informed decision-making and future advancements in securing digital evidence.