Our exploration into the perils of contaminated digital evidence sheds light on scenarios that are not mere fabrications but real-world possibilities that could unravel the fabric of a meticulously built case. From the reuse of unsterilized collection disks introducing unrelated data into a new investigation, to the alteration of metadata through direct interaction with evidence,…
The concept of Chain of Custody (CoC) is pivotal in law enforcement, legal proceedings, and forensic science, acting as a critical paper trail (both virtual and physical) that meticulously documents how evidence is collected, controlled, transferred, analyzed, and eventually disposed of. This procedural backbone is essential for several reasons: it ensures the integrity of the…