SECURING DIGITAL EVIDENCE: BLOCKCHAIN AND AES -ENCRYPTION FOR TAMPER-RESISTANT DATA INTEGRITY IN CYBERCRIME INVESTIGATIONS

Cybercrime gives challenges to law enforcement agencies to secure digital evidence and maintain its integrity. Blockchain known for its decentralized and immutable nature, provides a secure ledger to record digital evidence transactions restricting unauthorized access. This project proposes a framework for digital forensic evidence management, contributing to the enhancement of security and reliability in digital forensic practices through the utilization of Ethereum Blockchain technology and Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) encryption. Through a systematic review, various studies, methodologies, and implementations employing Blockchain to safeguard digital evidence are explored. Blockchain, known for its decentralized and immutable nature, provides a secure ledger to record digital evidence transactions, restricting unauthorized access. Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) algorithm ensures that the data stored on the blockchain remains tamper-resistant and secure. In the blockchain ecosystem, Proof of Stake (POS) plays a critical role by facilitating transaction validation and block creation. It distinguishes itself by selecting validators based on the amount of cryptocurrency they 'stake' or pledge as collateral, offering an energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable alternative to the traditional method.