By Dr. Jarrod Sadulski | 09/18/2025
A chain of custody for digital forensic evidence ensures that law enforcement agencies properly collect this type of evidence from the field. Thorough custody documentation also ensures that evidence is preserved, properly documented, and secured until it is presented in court.
Why Is a Chain of Custody Process Necessary?
Digital evidence often differs from other forms of physical evidence, and the proper chain of custody may differ during the custody process. Original evidence integrity is essential in digital evidence cases and requires a proper digital chain of custody.
Chronological documentation and a secure and unbroken chain of custody are critical when it comes to prosecuting someone for a crime. This chain of custody refers to the digital or written records showing where the digital evidence was, when it was collected, and who accessed it for further investigation.
In court, that evidence will be scrutinized for its unbroken chain of custody to ensure accountability. Everyone who accessed it – from the original patrol officer to digital forensics investigators – can be subpoenaed and held responsible for evidence handling.
If the chain of custody is broken at any stage of the legal process, digital evidence presented to a court may be ruled inadmissible and the entire case may need to be dismissed. As a result, guilty parties may not be prosecuted for their crimes.
Electronic Evidence in Law Enforcement Cases
As a police officer, I collected digital evidence to begin the chain of custody process. I commonly dealt with digital evidence that came from electronic devices, such as security cameras or a cell phone used in the commission of a crime.
Also, I spent a considerable amount of time investigating burglaries. One of the first questions I asked was if there was any digital evidence in the form of footage from security cameras. Aside from the physical evidence at a crime scene, digital evidence involving security camera video was often the most valuable type of evidence in solving burglaries.
I have also been involved in criminal investigations where perpetrators used digital tools to commit crimes. However, these cases tend to be more complicated than other police calls for service. Data collection is more difficult when technology tools are involved.
Where Does Digital Evidence Come From?
Today, digital evidence from computers and cell phones is often a part of criminal cases. Other electronic evidence in a criminal case may come from tablets, smart assistants such as Amazon Alexa®, and other digital devices.
With collecting this type of original evidence, I learned that sensitive data can be erased remotely if the devices are not properly secured. If electronic devices are not properly maintained in a secure chain of custody and data is compromised or erased, that creates major challenges in the forensic analysis and legal proceedings of a case. For example, identifying details may be lost and compromise the case.
Protecting the Integrity of Electronic Evidence
To prevent someone from erasing electronic data remotely, a Faraday bag can be used. A Faraday bag blocks electromagnetic signals by enclosing the device in metallic shielding. It is crucial in protecting digital evidence, preserving critical details, and maintaining evidence integrity so that the evidence can be used in court.
There are standardized protocols and legal standards for evidence handling that are reviewed in court proceedings for integrity by legal professionals. However, many police agencies have secure storage solutions for digital evidence.
The Role of Crime Scene Investigators
Crime scene investigators have a crucial role in keeping track of digital evidence. They also have a pivotal role in the integrity of the chain of custody process.
When a crime occurs, road patrol officers are first to respond to the area and establish it as a crime scene. Next to respond are crime scene investigators and detectives, who then process the scene. They collect and document crucial evidence for later analysis.
It’s essential to remember that evidence collection and handling should only be conducted by those people who are properly trained. Keeping detailed records is vital, especially when it comes to the integrity of digital evidence.
The Challenges in Digital Forensics
For law enforcement officers, advanced training in handling digital evidence and digital forensics may be needed. Because digital evidence is technology-based, the methods for handling it constantly evolve.
Digital evidence must adhere to legal standards to remain admissible in court. However, there are some challenges to handling electronic evidence. For example, it can be difficult to access data that is encrypted.
Another challenge in digital forensics is the meticulous documentation requirements for a solid chain of custody. It is all too easy for human error to occur, especially when it concerns handling original materials and technological solutions involved in the digital chain of a crime.
Internet Investigations and Global Challenges
An area of digital forensics that I have found especially interesting is internet investigations. Internet investigations involve:
- Analyzing images online for forensic purposes
- Accessing cloud data for court cases
- Looking for digital evidence of cybercrime or online crimes against children
Due to the anonymity of the internet, it is all too easy for a criminal to target a victim from anywhere in the world. I have seen cases committed online by perpetrators located halfway around the globe. Aside from making prosecution difficult, it requires a special skillset to conduct global digital forensic investigations.
Preparing for a Career Path in Digital Forensics
If you’re interested in seeking a digital forensics career, there are various ways to gain useful knowledge:
- Conduct informational interviews with professionals
- Participate in an internship at a forensic lab
- Network with digital forensics professionals
- Attend criminal justice conferences
Through these activities, you’ll gain better insight into the daily operations of digital forensics and its application in criminal court cases.
The B.S. in Criminal Justice at AMU
For students interested in criminal justice, forensic science, and digital forensics, American Military University (AMU) provides an online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. Taught by expert law enforcement professionals, students in this bachelor’s program will take courses in criminology, criminal investigation, and criminal profiling. Other courses include crime analysis, criminal law, and constitutional law.
This B.S. in criminal justice also has a digital forensics concentration. For this concentration, students can choose from various courses that suit their interests, including:
- Computer forensics
- Cybercrime
- Digital forensics: Investigation procedures and response
- Digital forensics: Investigating network intrusions and cybercrime security
- Digital forensics: Investigator wireless networks and devices
- Digital forensics: Hard disc and operating systems
For more information, visit AMU’s criminal justice degree program page.
Amazon Alexa is a registered trademark of Amazon.com, Inc.
Note: This degree program is not designed to meet the educational requirements for professional licensure or certification in any country, state, province or other jurisdiction. This program has not been approved by any state professional licensing body and does not lead to any state-issued professional licensure.
Dr. Jarrod Sadulski is an associate professor in the School of Security and Global Studies and has over two decades in the field of criminal justice. He holds a bachelor’s degree Criminal Justice from Thomas Edison State College, a master’s degree in criminal justice from American Military University, and a Ph.D. in criminal justice from Northcentral University.
His expertise includes training on countering human trafficking, maritime security, mitigating organized crime, and narcotics trafficking trends in Latin America. Jarrod has also testified to both the U.S. Congress and U.S. Senate on human trafficking and child exploitation. He has been recognized by the U.S. Senate as an expert in human trafficking.
Jarrod frequently conducts in-country research and consultant work in Central and South America on human trafficking and current trends in narcotics trafficking. Also, he has a background in business development.
