SKILL ROADMAP 73 · ADVANCED AND EMERGING PATHS

Digital Evidence

Electronic records → Collection → Chain of custody → Certification → Forensic reports → Arguing evidence

Track your progress

This roadmap has 6 steps, 3 checkpoints and 3 projects.
Open the interactive version to tick checkpoints and projects. Your progress is saved in your browser.

1 What this path is

Digital evidence is about how electronic records such as emails, messages, CCTV footage and data are collected, preserved and proved in court.

The work involves criminal and civil litigation, technical understanding and careful procedure.

Learn electronic records.
Learn: how the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam treats electronic records.
Practise: by listing types of electronic evidence.
Learn collection.
Learn: how electronic evidence is seized and copied, including search and seizure provisions under the BNSS.
Practise: by preparing a collection checklist.
Learn chain of custody.
Learn: why every handover must be recorded, and what hash values are.
Practise: by preparing a chain of custody log.
Learn certification.
Learn: the certificate required for electronic records under Section 63 of the BSA, which replaced Section 65B of the Evidence Act, and the leading judgments on it.
Practise: by drafting a certificate on imaginary facts.
Learn forensic reports.
Learn: how to read forensic reports and question them.
Practise: by analysing a sample report.
Argue evidence.
Learn: to challenge or defend electronic evidence in court.
Practise: by writing submissions on admissibility.

You handle digital evidence issues confidently in litigation.

These checklists are for honest self assessment. They are not an official certification.

Criminal and cyber law chambers and forensic organisations.

Plans, drafts and submissions.