A Secure and Transparent Evidence Management System Based on Blockchain Technology
Keywords:
Blockchain, Cryptographic hashing, Data integrity, Digital evidence, Digital forensics, Smart contractsAbstract
Digital evidence plays a crucial role in modern criminal investigations and legal proceedings. However, traditional evidence management systems rely on centralized databases, which are vulnerable to security threats such as unauthorized access, data tampering, and data loss. These issues can compromise the integrity and authenticity of digital evidence. To address these challenges, this research proposes an evidence management system using blockchain technology. Blockchain provides a decentralized and immutable ledger that ensures transparency and security in storing digital evidence records. In the proposed system, whenever digital evidence such as images, videos, or documents is uploaded, a cryptographic hash value is generated and stored on the blockchain using smart contracts. This hash acts as a unique digital fingerprint of the evidence file. During the verification process, the system generates a new hash value and compares it with the stored hash to confirm the authenticity of the evidence. The use of blockchain technology ensures that evidence records remain tamper-proof and traceable, thereby improving the reliability and trustworthiness of digital investigations and legal processes.
References
S. Mehta, K. Shantha Kumari, P. Jain, H. Raikwar, and S. Gore, “Blockchain-driven evidence management system,” in Proc. 3rd Int. Conf. Artificial Intelligence and Signal Processing (AISP), Mar. 2023.
S. Johri, “Strengthening digital forensics with blockchain technology and algorithms,” World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, vol. 24, no. 2, pp. 459–467, Nov. 2024.
N. Xiao, Z. Wang, X. Sun, and J. Miao, “A novel blockchain-based digital forensics framework for preserving evidence and enabling investigation in industrial Internet of Things,” Alexandria Engineering Journal, vol. 86, pp. 631–643, Jan. 2024.
P. Maragathavalli, R. S. Aravindhar, R. Keerthana, M. Harini, and S. Kumar, “Securing digital evidence: Blockchain and AES encryption for tamper-resistant data integrity in cybercrime investigations,” International Education and Research Journal, vol. 10, no. 3, Mar. 2024.
P. B. Bandara, O. D. Jayarathna, D. T. Hewage, N. P. Bandara, D. Pandithage, and D. Siriwardana, “Blockchain-based chain of custody evidence management system for digital forensic investigations,” in Proc. 5th Int. Conf. Advancements in Computing (ICAC), Dec. 2023.
S. K. Rana et al., “Decentralized model to protect digital evidence via smart contracts using Layer 2 Polygon blockchain,” IEEE Access, vol. 11, pp. 83289–83300, Jan. 2023.
J. Machhi, A. Madhavi, A. K. Maurya, S. Patil, and P. S. Lade, “Blockchain-based digital forensic evidence management chain of custody,” International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering Technology and Science, vol. 6, no. 4, pp. 2582–2588, Apr. 2024.
S. Li, T. Qin, and G. Min, “Blockchain-based digital forensics investigation framework in the Internet of Things and social systems,” IEEE Transactions on Computational Social Systems, vol. 6, no. 6, pp. 1433–1441, Dec. 2019.
A. O. Charles, A. Oguntimilehin, and O. A. Bello, “Forensic evidence security system using blockchain technology,” International Journal of Engineering Trends and Technology, vol. 71, no. 8, pp. 143–151, 2023.
D. R. Rani, T. Karthik, T. Narasimha, and K. Rajesh, “Blockchain-based framework for securing digital evidence,” in Proc. 1st Int. Conf. Research and Development in Information, Communication, and Computing Technologies (ICRDICCT), vol. 2, 2025, pp. 488–493.
H. Roslan, “Investigating digital evidence authenticity in blockchain-based forensic investigation environments,” International Journal of Computer Law & Security Review, vol. 2, no. 2, pp. 1–8, Jul. 2025.
S. Chen, C. Zhao, L. Huang, J. Yuan, and M. Liu, “Study and implementation on the application of blockchain in electronic evidence generation,” Forensic Science International: Digital Investigation, vol. 35, p. 301001, Dec. 2020.
Ch. Bhupa, B. Sunil, S. Charmi, and D. Eswar, “Criminal evidences management system using blockchain,” International Journal of Drug Delivery Discovery, vol. 16, no. 12S, 2026.
R. G. Ragu and S. Ramamoorthy, “A blockchain-based cloud forensics architecture for privacy leakage prediction with cloud,” Healthcare Analytics, vol. 4, p. 100220, Dec. 2023.
M. Meral and H. H. Sayan, “A blockchain-based model proposal to enhance digital forensics readiness,” Suleyman Demirel University Journal of Science Institute, vol. 29, no. 1, pp. 228–242, Apr. 2025.
