DIGITAL FORENSIC: A PANACEA FOR CRIME DETECTION IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Digital forensic is the fastest evolving field of computing that bridges the gap between science and legal process of investigation. Digital forensic consists of computer forensics, network forensics, mobile forensics, cloud computing forensics, and IoT forensics; and for this reason have digital evidence distributed widely when the need arises for crime prosecution. In the application of digital forensic, the need for authenticity, accuracy, completeness and convincing digital evidence is the vital point of view by the court for proper legal action. This study hence provides the concept and suggestive digital forensic model and also the solution to unsolved or lingering crimes perpetrated in Nigeria. It is noticed that, cyber crimes are diversifying in its sophisticated modules where the miscreants are almost invincible to arrest because there is a deficiency in the investigative system, but the invent of digital forensic, there will be a drastic solution to such crimes. For the study to be relevant to policy and practice, forensic tools and frameworks, legal and ethical obligations, and digital evidence handling and admissibility are highlighted. This paper does not follow any forensic investigations process; but rather discusses the need for development and implementation of unique frameworks that could be utilized to gather distributed digital evidence required for admissibility in court.