Digital Evidence and Its Role in Advancing Criminal Justice

Abstract

This study examined digital means of evidence and their role in the development of criminal justice in light of the rapid digital transformation, where digital evidence has become a fundamental tool in detecting and proving crimes. The study focused on the problem of the extent to which these means contribute to enhancing criminal justice and their compatibility with legal guarantees and the protection of human rights, given the challenges they raise regarding legality, evidentiary value, and technical nature. The importance of the study lay in enriching legal scholarship in this emerging field, as well as supporting judicial authorities in understanding the mechanisms for handling digital evidence and evaluating the adequacy of existing legal frameworks. The study also aimed to define the concept and characteristics of digital evidence, analyze its evidentiary value in criminal proceedings, clarify its legal framework, and identify the major challenges associated with it. The study adopted both descriptive and analytical approaches. The findings revealed that digital evidence represents a qualitative shift in the criminal evidence system, contributing to faster procedures and greater accuracy in proof, provided that both technical integrity and legal procedural safeguards are ensured. However, it also raises challenges related to privacy protection, the legality of evidence collection, and its complex technical nature. The study concluded with recommendations emphasizing the need to develop legislation regulating digital evidence, enhance technical training for professionals in the field of criminal justice, and establish precise procedural standards to ensure the integrity of evidence while maintaining a balance between effective crime control and the protection of rights and freedoms.