Opportunities for the Digitalisation of the Chain of Custody

Abstract

The chain of custody (CoC) process is essential in the management of forensic evidence, ensuring that the origin, integrity, and handling of evidence can be continuously traced and authenticated. Rapid advances in digitalisation offer opportunities to make traditionally paper-based and manually managed CoC processes more efficient and reliable. The use of digital solutions – such as blockchain technology, RFID chips, and smart contracts – can significantly increase the transparency and reliability of evidence handling, while reducing the risks arising from human error, fraud, or negligence. The aim of this paper is to explore the possibilities for CoC digitisation, with a focus on legal, technological, and data security aspects. The paper also addresses the challenges of implementing a digital CoC, such as compliance with personal data protection regulations and the integration of new systems with existing processes. Overall, digital chain-of-custody solutions can bring significant improvements in the accuracy and speed of evidence management, but their implementation requires thorough legal and technological analysis and preparation.